fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 26, 2020 11:40:17 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear that Cindy and it makes 2 of us..... I got zero sleep last night plus my hip starting hurting very badly arrrggghhhhh
I took all manner of things, ( muscle relaxers, put on Aspercreme with Lidocaine about 5 or 6 times, pain medications, Leonard's hemp stuff even etc etc. to get it to get to a dull roar but it refused!!!!!
until finally ( at about 4 in the morn), I did get a little small amount of relief for a very very short time
So today's post will be short as I keep falling asleep.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 26, 2020 12:17:43 GMT -5
In The world Today one of the concepts, that the secular world proposes is that:
'All paths lead to God'
Which is strange, since secular folks do not believe in God.
But it reminds me of an insurance policy, ( just in case God should exist) then, basically everyone can demand entrance into Heaven.... God should have no choice or say, in the matter! , This premise makes God essentially mankind's : servant, slave, genii ...
( and at the same time, would, in the end, reduce people to being 'robots')
Instead the truth is:
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9
God is the Creator, and though we may not like His 'narrow' way to heaven, Is what He has ruled and commanded.... ( and the cost to Him was beyond anything we can comprehend)
He is God, and gets to choose:
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19
In case someone is confused yes Jesus was a man but he was also God so Jesus was not 'just' a man
Instead of dictating to God our demands....
based on what 'we' deem appropriate, due to our pride and hubris, in thinking we have such great understanding and intelligence:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7
The truth is God does not owe mankind anything.... He was not bound to save any sinner, not even one!
This universe is His Creation, and He can do whatever he chooses to do. However, he decided to save some of us out of His great love
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
And this next verse we should mediate on when tempted with outrageous audacity, foolish pride and hubris attempting the undertaking, to chastise God and tell Him He can't be or have a 'narrow' way to Heaven:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12
Because God says in His Word:
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11,12
And none of the others authors of 'different paths', claimed to be: able, or willing..... to die, ( and be resurrected) in order, to save some of mankind for eternal life in Heaven..
( Not Buddha, not Mohammad, etc. etc.)
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Oct 27, 2020 10:56:25 GMT -5
I am so blessed to have you as a sister in Christ!! :D
I totally agree the CERN scientists have IQ's that are way off the chart and yet, like you said
their minds are corrupted, so much so they really can't understand anything in truth!
( sometimes it almost seems like little boys playing smash up with toy trucks and the like)
And though I do not know any of them obviously so this is only a generalization and my personal viewpoint, that I have received in my life from those who are 'scientists'
Is an arrogant view of Christians as narrow minded and not very intelligent
But as I see it, they are also 'narrow minded' They will not look at the Bible, hear a sermon etc.
I admit, I am indeed 'narrow minded' I stick with God as my ONLY source of truth and yes, that is pretty narrow!!!
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14
However, from time to time, I do look at what these scientific folks with super high IQ's are thinking, saying and doing
which is more than what most of them are willing to do, as far as Christianity goes (so it seems to me...)
My most recent experience ( non experience of 5-10 years ago) is with my PHD scientist daughter in law
who would not engage in any thing to do with the gospel... not one word.... it is in her mind it is a banned, closed door, 'crime against humanity' LOL
She told me years ago, that she and my son had their own views on everything and I was to respect their views and that was that
I was left wondering but why don't I get the same?
Thankful, you told me NOT to bring up anything about anything LOL
Sadly, I have messed up a few times with my son and it was not good!!
But for the most part I have obeyed their rules of engagement..
which is not to have a relationship at all with her....
and very minimal with son
so......
I used to wish I had such a super off the chart high IQ but now..... I have changed my perspective some on that
Looking at what just a high ability in math etc. brings to the table with no foundation in 'Truth'.....
Is in the end very sad.
HA! I got off on a crazy rant huh....
well back to actual Bible.
I hope you know that I never meant for you to not have a relationship with your son, I only meant that you shouldn't talk about God to him or his wife. After you've gone a long time without saying anything about God to him, then, here's something you could say: "I know you love your little one and that he is a major part of your life. I know that because you talk about him all the time, which is as it should be. I want you to know that I love you the same way, and I've been trying very hard to obey your rules and not speak to you about the other person who I love even more then you love your son, and more then I love you. If you can imagine not ever speaking to someone about your son, or maybe about your wife, and how hard that would be, then you have a very small idea of how hard it is for me not to speak about my Savior. " And then don't say anything else about God again unless he literally asks you about Him.
Also, if his wife ever says something like that to you again, reply by telling her exactly what you said...tell her that if they want you to respect their views, then they need to respect your views as well.
Also, if they are ever in your house, then whether they like it or not, you have the right to say whatever you want to in your own home, just as they do in theirs.
You and I have in fact viewed what the unbelievers believe up close. We know all about it because we thought the same way they did for a long time. For example, I'm very familiar with how the new agers think because I was part of that for years. Like you said though, most people won't take the time to actually look in the Bible for themselves and see what it says. Instead, they believe whatever some atheist says because that way they can live with someone without marriage and not feel guilty, and they and their friends can do all kinds of stuff without guilt...or so they think. The ones that go to apologetics forums so they can argue about God and His Word, don't have their own opinion to argue; they argue from what others have said and written and they are only there so they can continue to post what other atheists have said. The Lord showed me that when I saw someone I had explained the truth to, continue to try and argue about it, that I was to simply tell them that if they truly want to know the truth all they have to do is open a Bible and ask God to show them the Truth, and He will. After telling them that, I was to stop speaking to them about it completely. ““Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)
This is a bit more random
I was thinking how the secular culture for the most part believes there is no right or wrong... They believe it depends on:
the culture
it can and does change over time
your 'wrong' is not mine, ( the individual gets to decide for herself or himself, what they think or 'feel' is right or wrong for them) They are a law unto themselves ( and in many ways, 'survival of the fittest' fits in this nicely... or, not so nice, or compassionately)
If it feels good, and does not hurt anybody, it is not 'wrong' or a sin
There are no 'absolutes' ( it depends on the situation) otherwise known as 'situational ethics'
there is no 'god' one has to be accountable to
They believe every thing is : 'relative'
Life has no real meaning etc.
And yet, none of these beliefs are logical... especially in the world today where being a 'victim' is almost like the highest badge of superiority one can gain.....
Except.....
IF there is no right or wrong, there cannot be any 'victims'
IF truth is 'relative', then nothing is wrong or right
Instead this next verse is what unbelieving secular culture thinking is:
[smear:#19e6b3]19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.
So they are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him,
but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:19-22 [/smear:#e619cc:0]
Believing every thing is 'relative' means: no 'victims' can ever cry out to others or to God, about his or her injustice, that was done to them.
After all your wrong is my 'right', even IF my right you consider your wrong.
[smear:#26b636] O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. Habakkuk 1:1-4[/smear:#e63b19:0]
But the secular folks of today have decided that, although they have deemed:
There are no wrongs or rights...
There are some 'wrongs' that they will fix! (double speak)
They have determined to be both judge and jury.
However, based on God's word I don't think it will come to a good end.
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23
when we see 'peaceful riots' (more double speak)....
I think of this:
2 You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, Exodus 23:2
You do not right ......a wrong by doing wrong.
God says there is good and evil and we will be held accountable ( unless your sins have been paid for by Jesus but even then, there are often consequences, in this world)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10
People seem to be able to easily deceive themselves in thinking that IF by doing a wrong in 'love' , and because of compassion,
it will 'magically' turn into: a 'good'
However, they have no way to foresee some ( or all) of the evil outcomes, they may have created for others... because, remember, they are doing a 'wrong'!
Done for Today
Yes, they set themselves up for all kinds of evil when they say truth is relative. If truth is relative a pedophile can then sodomize a baby and will have done wrong since in their "truth" they didn't do anything wrong. And of course that's true for everyone.
I was thinking today, about how many multiple 'rabbit' holes there are in today's world, that we Christians, ( and certainly me in particular), can be tempted to chase down into with unbelievers in the world today.
The rabbit holes are just too many to list but a few would be:
politics gender and sexual issues abortion religion, cults, spirituality flu and viruses School curriculum Science environment Climate change aliens witchcraft computer, the internet, gaming prophecy, end times etc. etc. etc.
But the problem I am finding is: that in trying to talk with a secular, nonbeliever is: ( be it either in person, face to face, or online)
no matter how many real, true, honest, facts, a Christian may bring to the "discussion', It is almost always, a hopeless exercise.
Because, the nonbeliever does not have a firm foundation for the truth. ( God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible sin, forgiveness, salvation etc.).
I caught and stopped myself , from getting involved in such a debate the other day.
A friend had posted a news piece about the pope honoring gay civil unions....
( I am not Catholic, nor ever have been)
That post however, sparked a hot debate with unbelievers posting things like:
Great! Finally! and of course, they trotted out....
What difference does it make... if the two people are in love???????
I was soooooo tempted to jump into the fray...
But I realized without the participants having any idea of the true human condition, it would be mostly be a waste of time .
Because unbelievers are either unaware or do not care about is: what is 'wrong', with the world and people Issues like:
Death came to all men ( and woman) through Adam, but life and forgiveness through in Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— Romans 5:12
So taking that one example of gay marriages:
Unbelievers stand on what they consider 'holy ground' because of it being 'love'..
Therefore it is an inalienable 'right'....
Anything else, or less is: persecution, hateful, oppression, intolerant, bigoted etc. and consequently, gay marriage candidates, are being maltreatment...
and so, on those grounds, they are:
'victims' of and by: Nazism and Nazis
Several things are very wrong with their stance:
One is putting man's 'wisdom' above and over God's eternal wisdom.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! Psalm 111:10
Genesis 2:24 is the first mention in the Bible of marriage:
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Wife, in this case, is not a man, calling another ,man his 'wife'.... as in playing house:
"I will be the husband and you get to play, the 'wife'.
Wife, is what God gave to Adam, ( a man/male)....
Adam's 'wife' was Eve a female/woman.
Instead, they have rejected the Truth and replaced it with a lie.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie
I only got about 2 hours of sleep last night so Done for today.
For two hours sleep you did a great job on this!
In the World Today, the belief is: People are 'basically' good.........
Unless..... they are:
men Caucasian (white) old Republicans Americans Christian straight Believe in God of the Bible etc. etc. etc.
Believing that people are basically good means trusting in the feelings and thoughts, of secular people....
and forgetting, denying, mocking, not trusting in God, etc.
God can give the believer peace in times of trouble.
( but kicking God to the curb, as so many have done today.....
no wonder people have sooooo much anxiety and stress today)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Secular people today have decided God and His Word is:
inadequate erroneous dreadful atrocious unacceptable abominable etc.
without any 'real' study of the Bible ( and yet at the same time, they give a pass to the 'religious' books of other religions, sects, cults, occult practices etc. having even less knowledge of what is contained in those books)
This struggle began in the Garden of Eden God had drawn ONE, just one line in the sand..... Satan called it a lie but actually Satan lied
And sinners today repeat Satan's statement of God Word being: incredulous! hateful false a lie etc.
And so
“Did God actually say?!!!!..... >:D Genesis 3:1
The idea is: whatever God says: is not only a lie but is mean, not compassionate ( to our sins that we love) God doesn't understand our times etc. and therefore they are those:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie.... Romans 1:25 (a)
people are like a 2 year old, who wants to play in traffic we do not understand the word NO or the why would God even say NO to us We do not like it!
And thus this truth about our hearts and minds is ignored:
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 Done for today
I am so sorry to hear that Cindy and it makes 2 of us..... I got zero sleep last night plus my hip starting hurting very badly arrrggghhhhh
I took all manner of things, ( muscle relaxers, put on Aspercreme with Lidocaine about 5 or 6 times, pain medications, Leonard's hemp stuff even etc etc. to get it to get to a dull roar but it refused!!!!!
until finally ( at about 4 in the morn), I did get a little small amount of relief for a very very short time
So today's post will be short as I keep falling asleep. Yep, that's that I did too lol I hope you're feeling better today.
In The world Today one of the concepts, that the secular world proposes is that:
'All paths lead to God'
Which is strange, since secular folks do not believe in God.
But it reminds me of an insurance policy, ( just in case God should exist) then, basically everyone can demand entrance into Heaven.... God should have no choice or say, in the matter! , This premise makes God essentially mankind's : servant, slave, genii ...
( and at the same time, would, in the end, reduce people to being 'robots')
Instead the truth is:
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9
God is the Creator, and though we may not like His 'narrow' way to heaven, Is what He has ruled and commanded.... ( and the cost to Him was beyond anything we can comprehend)
He is God, and gets to choose:
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19
In case someone is confused yes Jesus was a man but he was also God so Jesus was not 'just' a man
Instead of dictating to God our demands....
based on what 'we' deem appropriate, due to our pride and hubris, in thinking we have such great understanding and intelligence:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7
The truth is God does not owe mankind anything.... He was not bound to save any sinner, not even one!
This universe is His Creation, and He can do whatever he chooses to do. However, he decided to save some of us out of His great love
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
And this next verse we should mediate on when tempted with outrageous audacity, foolish pride and hubris attempting the undertaking, to chastise God and tell Him He can't be or have a 'narrow' way to Heaven:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12
Because God says in His Word:
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11,12
And none of the others authors of 'different paths', claimed to be: able, or willing..... to die, ( and be resurrected) in order, to save some of mankind for eternal life in Heaven..
( Not Buddha, not Mohammad, etc. etc.)
Done for Today
I hope you're feeling better now and have gotten plenty of sleep.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 27, 2020 11:01:53 GMT -5
My observation is that secular men and women especially, are having more relational problems than ever before.
I hear woman talking on a daily basis. and they seem to be offended, by everything men do, or say.
They appear to me, to becoming more and more bossy, controlling, and manipulative etc.
They seem hell bound to end: the 'old patriarchal system, the out-dated ( to their way of thinking) 'family unit', sexual system of: one man and one woman get rid of all chauvinistic toxic men and make them 'sensitive' etc.
I think, this began in the Garden of Eden
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[ she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate Genesis 3:6
I am not just blaming Eve but Adam also.
He was already on his way to being the beta type man/male. He was to have been the 'protector'.
God had spoken to Adam, so Adam was aware of the danger... and yet, he stood passively by and let Eve be totally in charge.
Adam and Eve were to have different, but equal in value roles.
But right from the get-go Eve wanted power!
Note: that even though, Adam and Eve had already tampered with their roles,
God still holds Adam to his, as leader and protector.
God nevertheless calls for Adam, as the head of the household...
notwithstanding the fact, it was Eve who sinned first!
9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you? Genesis 3:9
Adam is doing what???? Hidding? ::) :o >:D
10 And he (Adam) said, I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10
Well at least that was a honest answer!
Sadly, Adam's first real initiative is to start the 'blame game' of 'pass the buck' Instead of continuing in honest answers
So when God directly asks Adam:
11 He (God) said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Genesis 3:11
Adam deflects..... and first: Blames God
and second: blames Eve
12 The man ( Adam) said, “The woman whom 'you' gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12
As IF.... Adam did not have a choice!
Adam could have said NO to Eve, Adam could have warned her not to listen to the devil, Adam could have said: let's not do anything rash Let's go find God and ask Him.
Its kind of funny but not really...
That 'NOW' Eve actually listens to and takes Adam's solution of:
( pass the buck, and don't take responsibility for your sin, and blame someone else... you are just a victim)
So when God asks Eve what she has done, This is her response:
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman (Eve) said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13
Adam seems to have clearly missed the part about loving his wife so much he would willing die for her
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Ephesians 5:25
I think many woman today are so deceived they really think the reversal of roles in the Garden was fine, not a problem.
And, I am NOT suggesting, a woman can never have a 'leadership' role in business, as a teacher, doctor, judge etc.
But in the family, the husband and wife are to be able to equally voice their thoughts. but the final decision, ( if it cannot be reached mutually) will be with the husband.
Furthermore, in my opinion I do not believe Eve was happy taking over the leadership role nor was Adam in allowing it and even worse I think that in fact, Eve was crushed, that Adam did not stand up like a man but hid blamed her and blamed God.
i do not think Eve felt 'honored'
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
Satan continues to stir the kettle of misunderstanding, so that what happened in the Garden is now many times worse... relationships between a large number of men and woman , husband and wives boyfriend and girlfriends continue to slide ever downward.
This ought to be our goal:
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 27, 2020 12:39:42 GMT -5
Thank you for asking Cindy!!!
I did sleep longer last night.... ( not perfect, but much better)
Nevertheless, I kept falling asleep while writing today :(
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Post by Cindy on Oct 28, 2020 11:24:09 GMT -5
My observation is that secular men and women especially, are having more relational problems than ever before.
I hear woman talking on a daily basis. and they seem to be offended, by everything men do, or say.
They appear to me, to becoming more and more bossy, controlling, and manipulative etc.
They seem hell bound to end: the 'old patriarchal system, the out-dated ( to their way of thinking) 'family unit', sexual system of: one man and one woman get rid of all chauvinistic toxic men and make them 'sensitive' etc.
I think, this began in the Garden of Eden
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[ she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate Genesis 3:6
I am not just blaming Eve but Adam also.
He was already on his way to being the beta type man/male. He was to have been the 'protector'.
God had spoken to Adam, so Adam was aware of the danger... and yet, he stood passively by and let Eve be totally in charge.
Adam and Eve were to have different, but equal in value roles.
But right from the get-go Eve wanted power!
Note: that even though, Adam and Eve had already tampered with their roles,
God still holds Adam to his, as leader and protector.
God nevertheless calls for Adam, as the head of the household...
notwithstanding the fact, it was Eve who sinned first!
9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you? Genesis 3:9
Adam is doing what???? Hidding? ::) :o >:D
10 And he (Adam) said, I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10
Well at least that was a honest answer!
Sadly, Adam's first real initiative is to start the 'blame game' of 'pass the buck' Instead of continuing in honest answers
So when God directly asks Adam:
11 He (God) said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Genesis 3:11
Adam deflects..... and first: Blames God
and second: blames Eve
12 The man ( Adam) said, “The woman whom 'you' gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12
As IF.... Adam did not have a choice!
Adam could have said NO to Eve, Adam could have warned her not to listen to the devil, Adam could have said: let's not do anything rash Let's go find God and ask Him.
Its kind of funny but not really...
That 'NOW' Eve actually listens to and takes Adam's solution of:
( pass the buck, and don't take responsibility for your sin, and blame someone else... you are just a victim)
So when God asks Eve what she has done, This is her response:
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman (Eve) said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13
Adam seems to have clearly missed the part about loving his wife so much he would willing die for her
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Ephesians 5:25
I think many woman today are so deceived they really think the reversal of roles in the Garden was fine, not a problem.
And, I am NOT suggesting, a woman can never have a 'leadership' role in business, as a teacher, doctor, judge etc.
But in the family, the husband and wife are to be able to equally voice their thoughts. but the final decision, ( if it cannot be reached mutually) will be with the husband.
Furthermore, in my opinion I do not believe Eve was happy taking over the leadership role nor was Adam in allowing it and even worse I think that in fact, Eve was crushed, that Adam did not stand up like a man but hid blamed her and blamed God.
i do not think Eve felt 'honored'
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
Satan continues to stir the kettle of misunderstanding, so that what happened in the Garden is now many times worse... relationships between a large number of men and woman , husband and wives boyfriend and girlfriends continue to slide ever downward.
This ought to be our goal:
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
done for Today
Well said! Thank you for asking Cindy!!!
I did sleep longer last night.... ( not perfect, but much better)
Nevertheless, I kept falling asleep while writing today :(
Me too. I'm sick and tired of that happening too!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 28, 2020 11:52:19 GMT -5
Me too!
I did sleep last night fairly well
and have not yet.... fallen asleep but give me a minute LOL
Oh by the way.... so yesterday
Devon decided to send you another message and guess what????????
The old site came back up again!!! and stayed up!
Soooooo?
I am not sure if he actually sent the message off
he was also trying to grab a graphic from the place you keep all those graphics you did not to long ago
He got to the site no problem but could not get a smilie/smiley/smile emoticon graphic or whatever they are called
He was still busy trying to figure it out when I left ( having already read with him etc.)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 28, 2020 12:46:08 GMT -5
Just in case, anyone might have thought the 'peaceful riots' were over....
Noooo, not exactly..... and I am thinking, they won't be, any time soon, if ever
Violence Tears Through W. Philly After Police Shoot, Kill Man; 30 Officers Hurt
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/crowds-protest-violence-west-philly-after-deadly-police-shooting/2574729/
For those who do not believe in 'End Times' these verses come to mind: [smear:#54e619] 1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman,
3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself.
But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life.
6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. Ezekiel 33:1-9[/smear:#08c6f8:0]
I think Christians are not only to give, the 'gospel': the good news,
but also, to warn unbelievers Of what God says is coming in the not to distant futures.
I am of the opinion that what we have seen and experienced in 2020, is just the 'beginning'. I suppose things could get better for a time..... but in no way, do I think it will last or will the world today, become the utopia people are hoping for without God.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalms 118:9
Seems it not just me, who wonders, about continuing chaos and unrest, and peaceful riots
Can Trump Call in Troops to Quell Election Day Unrest?
www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2020-10-27/explainer-can-trump-call-in-troops-to-quell-election-day-unrest Also this:
Anti-Trump Group Plans to Cause 'Serious Disruption' if Trump Wins Election
www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/anti-trump-group-plans-to-cause-serious-disruption-if-trump-wins-election.html
To be fair, I think an opposite group might do the same, if Bidden wins
My thought is that, chaos, confusion, violence, unrest etc etc etc. Seems to me.... to have made their home here in our country .... big time!!! and I do not think, they want to leave.
Then there is this headline:
Protests turn violent outside Washington, D.C. police station following death of 20-year old Karon Hylton www.foxnews.com/us/protesters-turn-violent-outside-washington-d-c-police-station-following-death-of-20-year-old-karon-hylton
What I notice, is the speed at which peaceful riots start way before, all the facts are in
However, it appears to me, this is easy for them, because, the rioters already have decided that:
Any black person, or person of color who dies at the hands of a policemen
no matter for what reason....
has been murdered unfairly and the cops are always always always in the wrong!!!
and the police should at the very least get hurt as a result.
This is a sad state of affairs people are taking everything into their own hands...
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5
It seems like they are very self congratulatory and filled with a full measure of pride.... which is a problem...
( one believers have to be very careful of also)
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
and
Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Psalm 73:6
But for believers:
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Luke 21:28
And actually, we should always be, looking up,
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 29, 2020 9:54:21 GMT -5
Good and evil are equally real in the world today but God, is infinity stronger.
However, I don't think, people in the USA are as 'strong' as they used to be.
All people, all of the times in history, have been sinners But, I am thinking the younger generation is USA is more: entitled shielded soft divisive disruptive blusterous proud screaming etc. etc.
It seems like they are less and less willing, to roll up their sleeves and labor to help the needy, rather, they seem to have become conditioned, to look to government to solve any problems.
Which is why I think, they might be putting their hope in socialism or communism.
What they are NOT doing ( at least not many) is turning to God and the Bible.
He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. Psalm 72:13
And as for us
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
But 'peaceful riots', do not seem to me, to really be the best way to help the suffering of people.
For example: How does this truly help anyone?
‘Looters Were Shooting Looters’: 11 People Shot In Philadelphia Overnight During Riots
"Police also told the reporter that a 50-year-old man who had filled up his car with stolen goods was then carjacked and had all the stolen items stolen from him. In the midst of all this, 11 people were shot. At least 30 police officers were injured by rioters in the city as well" www.dailywire.com/news/looters-were-shooting-looters-11-people-shot-in-philadelphia-overnight-during-riots?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=benshapiro&fbclid=IwAR2g-6G6bi1eqy93-uCnpQd230YGea1rzJv7k3A-W6k86CbahZWQsz4JwGg
Another thing I see more of Today, is pointing the finger at someone else and not much brokenness, over one's own sinfulness.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
The poor in spirit are not proud, nor do they boas about how caring, compassionate giving, helpful, wonderful they are..
But rather they are humble, Not faking 'humbleness' they are honestly so.
Instead of making life even harder for the poor by ruining their neighborhoods, the youth of today, could be working to build it up giving of their own time and their own money. Instead of buying new $300 Nike shoes or a spendy ( some are close to $5,000) gaming computer etc. They could donate it to the poor.
11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘ You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:11
When people destroy businesses it makes it that much harder for a person who wants to be able to work, to have a place to go to work.
And if they are a Christian to follow God's command
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Obviously, there are people who cannot work....
but when you burn down a store then that makes it so someone who wants a job, can no longer work ,or even get a job.
However, that goes back to this generation when we have a person as a U.S. Representative saying things like this:
‘AOC Tells Struggling Americans They Should Refuse To Go Back To Work
"she suggested. “We’re not going back to working 70 hour weeks just so that we can put food on the table and not even feel any sort of semblance of security in our lives.” thepoliticalinsider.com/aoc-tells-struggling-americans-they-should-refuse-to-go-back-to-work/
But God calls us to individually share with the poor and no, this is not just for millionaires or the rich etc
also we are not look to government to do it:
17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17
And Jesus said:
34 ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:34-40
What I do not see Jesus saying is:
attend 'peaceful riots' for 6 months or more, burn down buildings, loot and steal, try to injure as many policemen and woman as you can.
Rioting, looting, violence I do not see as helping the poor, needy, downtrodden etc. In fact, it is just the opposite
Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. Proverbs 28:27
We need to be generous with what we have been given
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Oct 29, 2020 10:39:28 GMT -5
Me too!
I did sleep last night fairly well
and have not yet.... fallen asleep but give me a minute LOL
Oh by the way.... so yesterday
Devon decided to send you another message and guess what????????
The old site came back up again!!! and stayed up!
Soooooo?
I am not sure if he actually sent the message off
he was also trying to grab a graphic from the place you keep all those graphics you did not to long ago
He got to the site no problem but could not get a smilie/smiley/smile emoticon graphic or whatever they are called
He was still busy trying to figure it out when I left ( having already read with him etc.) Weird. No he hasn't sent me a message yet. If he is having trouble, it may be that I'm the only one that can use them, which is sad if it's true. But, I would think that some are big enough that he can see enough of them to be able to save them to his computer. Then he could get his own site on imgbb and be able to share it that way...
Just in case, anyone might have thought the 'peaceful riots' were over....
Noooo, not exactly..... and I am thinking, they won't be, any time soon, if ever
Violence Tears Through W. Philly After Police Shoot, Kill Man; 30 Officers Hurt
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/crowds-protest-violence-west-philly-after-deadly-police-shooting/2574729/
For those who do not believe in 'End Times' these verses come to mind: [smear:#54e619] 1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman,
3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself.
But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life.
6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. Ezekiel 33:1-9[/smear:#08c6f8:0]
I think Christians are not only to give, the 'gospel': the good news,
but also, to warn unbelievers Of what God says is coming in the not to distant futures.
I am of the opinion that what we have seen and experienced in 2020, is just the 'beginning'. I suppose things could get better for a time..... but in no way, do I think it will last or will the world today, become the utopia people are hoping for without God.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalms 118:9
Seems it not just me, who wonders, about continuing chaos and unrest, and peaceful riots
Can Trump Call in Troops to Quell Election Day Unrest?
www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2020-10-27/explainer-can-trump-call-in-troops-to-quell-election-day-unrest Also this:
Anti-Trump Group Plans to Cause 'Serious Disruption' if Trump Wins Election
www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/anti-trump-group-plans-to-cause-serious-disruption-if-trump-wins-election.html
To be fair, I think an opposite group might do the same, if Bidden wins
My thought is that, chaos, confusion, violence, unrest etc etc etc. Seems to me.... to have made their home here in our country .... big time!!! and I do not think, they want to leave.
Then there is this headline:
Protests turn violent outside Washington, D.C. police station following death of 20-year old Karon Hylton www.foxnews.com/us/protesters-turn-violent-outside-washington-d-c-police-station-following-death-of-20-year-old-karon-hylton
What I notice, is the speed at which peaceful riots start way before, all the facts are in
However, it appears to me, this is easy for them, because, the rioters already have decided that:
Any black person, or person of color who dies at the hands of a policemen
no matter for what reason....
has been murdered unfairly and the cops are always always always in the wrong!!!
and the police should at the very least get hurt as a result.
This is a sad state of affairs people are taking everything into their own hands...
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5
It seems like they are very self congratulatory and filled with a full measure of pride.... which is a problem...
( one believers have to be very careful of also)
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
and
Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Psalm 73:6
But for believers:
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Luke 21:28
And actually, we should always be, looking up,
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
done for Today
You are really doing well Barbara! You make a great teacher! I wanted to add a bit about something I've been thinking about lately. God tells us and shows us in both the old and new Testaments that judgment always begins with God's family, not with the unbelievers.
“For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”” (1 Peter 4:17–18) I've heard it said by others that the reason there are so many false teachers today is because that is God's judgment on us. It wouldn't surprise me if that is true. I say that because the Church is supposed to beware of false teachers and warn other believers about them when one is discovered. Then if someone starts believing the false teacher and won't repent, they're to be disciplined by the Church. Obviously none of that has happened for a very long time. Nor do any of the churches discipline their members who are living in sin. So I have to agree that this is one of the ways that God is using to judge the Church. We tend to get quite self righteous and put down Israel for not doing their job of evangelism, but we haven't done much better. For the True Believers though, judgment means that we will be persecuted. We will be persecuted even by others who call themselves "Christians" because we point out the lies they are telling themselves and others about God. Eventually the wickedness will grow so much that righteousness won't be tolerated and so we will be persecuted by the wicked as well.
When speaking about these days, Matthew tells us: “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” (Matthew 24:10–12) Notice that the scriptures say the love of "most" have grown cold. And we have certainly seen that today too. It's very rare to find a church that practices the love of Christ in their lives every day. Instead we find Christians wanting revenge and trying to get revenge for hurts done to them, the opposite of what Christ tells us to do. We know too that God has always had only a small remnant of true believers. Believers have never been in the majority, no matter what others may think or say. But for our time, and going into the Tribulation, Jesus says: “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”” (Luke 18:7–8) I believe the answer to that is that He will find faith, but there will be very little of it. Here's what MacArthur says about this verse: "This suggests that when He returns, the true faith will be comparatively rare—as in the days of Noah, when only 8 souls were saved. The period before His return will be marked by persecution, apostasy, and unbelief (Mt 24:9–13, 24)." MacArthur is speaking about the time before His Second Coming, but faith doesn't just die out suddenly. We've been watching that happen for quite awhile now; at least one generation if not more. The more faith dies out, wickedness grows, and as wickedness has grown, love has grown cold. One is a consequence of the other. I don't entirely agree with MacArthur on this when he says this is speaking of the time of Tribulation. The reason I don't is because of this verse: “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9) I think the verse about finding faith is speaking of before the rapture, during our time, because during the tribulation, there will be a huge number of new believers, many of which will be martyred. The family of God always grows the most when it's the most persecuted.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 30, 2020 9:22:39 GMT -5
Good point Cindy....I will make an effort to start with the family of God
In thinking about the world today It seems like unbelievers, have the 'staring' roles
Nevertheless, there are still believers so I will work on rearranging :)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 30, 2020 10:52:44 GMT -5
Thinking about the World Today and Christians in it:
These verses comes to mind:
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:4-7
One of my own personal greatest regrets is I did not teach my children even, one verse of scripture, from the Bible.
So, I cannot fault Christian parents today in a way... Because for sure, the World Today is in greater distress than when I was a parent, and further, it often takes both the mother and father to work in order, to even keep a roof over the family's heads.
Nevertheless, I think... that Christian parents, get so caught up in the world and the things of the world....
that time to teach their children about God, Jesus, the Bible etc. takes a back seat.... a far far back seat.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
I am of the opinion, that not only do some ( many?) Christian parents have trouble instilling scripture into their children, ( and thus spending a lot of time with them)
Many parents, have difficulty with disciplining.
Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Proverbs 13:24
People seem to often stall, on the first part of that verse and immediately think:
Child abuse! However, the idea here is: discipline.
I watched a short video today about two girls that stabbed their friend 19 times ( attempting to kill her)
The purpose in their minds was to prove that 'slender man' was real...
and they wanted to become his 'proxies'!
However, in order to be able to be his proxies, they would have to kill someone.
12-year-old survives being stabbed 19 times by her friends: 20/20 Part 2
I noticed a couple of things listening to the girls in the video:
One, was there did not seem to be any remorse from either girl ( not to say there was not any..... I just did not hear it at the time).
Also, they almost seem thrilled to have attention of adults
And lastly, the thing I noticed, was their overwhelming desire to be a part of something 'bigger' then themselves.
( but as I see it, what they found was unfortunately Satan).
A 'proxy' can be like an ambassador.
But the one they wished to align themselves with and be a representative for was a murderer.
they feel under the spell of the devil:
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
Yes, they choose a fictional character 'slender man'
but the evil demon behind it is very real. To be able to continue to stab your 'best friend' 19 times.....!!!! intent on killing her......
Sadly, ( I am speculating) their parents did not encourage them to be:
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
In a way, the 'miracle' was the child who actually survived being stabbed 19 times and then, to be able to crawl out of the woods the surgeon said, she nearly missed dying due to one knife wound to the heart.
I have not suffered what the parents of the girls who did the stabbing must be going thru.... ( I have no idea if any of the parents were or are Christians)
But I have greatly suffered, that I did not bring my children up this way:
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
And no, the anger, that a child might have from time to time concerning 'discipline' is not an anger to be fearful of
Actually, the anger that they may have as a result of:
not being disciplined, that kind of anger is more a concern....
Even more to the point, of not being brought up in the instruction of the Lord.
For those parents who do bring their children up in the instruction of the Lord...
It will be more likely ( thought not an absolute given)
that this next verse will be the wonderful blessing they may reap:
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Oct 30, 2020 11:00:37 GMT -5
Good point Cindy....I will make an effort to start with the family of God
In thinking about the world today It seems like unbelievers, have the 'staring' roles
Nevertheless, there are still believers so I will work on rearranging :)
you don't have to do that hon, unless it's something you want to do. Most everything you've shown here are things that believers have to deal with as well as unbelievers. I've said for quite awhile now, years really, that God is using all of this to separate the chaff from the wheat - the false converts from true believers.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 30, 2020 12:15:37 GMT -5
As always you are so sweet!! :)
I may just go back and forth depending on what the subject is?
Anyway, I did try for it today.... It is above our comments haha
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Oct 31, 2020 10:57:16 GMT -5
Thinking of the World today, Jesus Words, in the Bible seem to be appearing and increasing more and more like never before:
[smear:#5da21b]6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Matthew 24:6-8[/smear:#c31a34:0]
Philly City Council Strips Cops Of Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas After Dozens Wounded In Street Violence www.zerohedge.com/political/philly-city-council-strips-cops-rubber-bullets-tear-gas-after-dozens-wounded-street
Anti-Trump Group Plans to Cause 'Serious Disruption' if Trump Wins Election www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/anti-trump-group-plans-to-cause-serious-disruption-if-trump-wins-election.html?utm_source=Jeeng
But it is not just the USA that is suffering: chaos, violence, mayhem, terror, etc. Here are just only a very few headlines from parts of the world:
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad says Muslims 'have the right to kill millions of French people'
neonnettle.com/news/13074-muslims-have-the-right-to-kill-millions-of-french-people-malaysia-s-ex-pm-warns
Anti-France protests draw tens of thousands across Muslim world www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/30/anti-france-protests-draws-tens-of-thousands-across-muslim-world
North Korea Jails, Executes Anyone Who Owns a Bible, Shocking New Report Says
"A new report by a human rights watchdog details horrific violations of religious freedom within North Korea, including citizens brutally tortured for converting to Christianity and individuals publicly executed for owning a Bible."
www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/north-korea-jails-executes-anyone-who-owns-a-bible-shocking-new-report-says.html
And a few disasters not caused by the violence of man:
Following earthquake in Turkey, IDF offers to send aid
"An earthquake has struck near the Turkish city of Izmir and the Greek island of Samos. Reports say the earthquake was large, measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale. Destruction could be seen across the skyline of the city as dust rose and buildings collapsed. Flooding then occurred after the sea briefly retreated from the harbor, leaving boats on the sea bed before the water rushed in".
www.jpost.com/middle-east/earthquake-strikes-izmir-647520
Death toll jumps to 230 after Typhoon "Molave" strikes central Vietnam watchers.news/2020/10/30/death-toll-jumps-to-230-after-typhoon-molave-strikes-central-vietnam/
Of course, I could post a ton more, and little to none would be 'good' news.
Certainly, 'Good' still happens,
But for the most part, circumstances all over the world today, are sliding down a slippy slope of doom and gloom.
I have noticed the chaos, violence, disasters etc. are coming virtually, daily.
So what are Christians to do?
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
We have our job cut out for us!
Also as things continue to get worse, barbaric, heinous diabolical wicked etc
Believers ought to:
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28
And Christians can pray...
I don't think Christians are going to be able to reverse the course the world is on today ( nor anyone else).
However, we can pray! Pray for the salvation of family loved ones even enemies.
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44
Christians can also do what we have always done help those who are suffering, in whatever way we can....
( that is, as long as we are still here) for we may be raptured any day, month or year but nevertheless soon-ish
But while we are still here, especially, as unbelievers suffer more and more trauma, fear and shock....
because we haven't seen anything yet compared to what is coming Christians already know, because God has told us, in His Word ( the Bible):
They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame. Isaiah 13:8
We can offer them the comfort of the truth if they wish to hear it:
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
and
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 1, 2020 10:06:39 GMT -5
In the World Today, I think maybe the biblical prophet Jeremiah would be amazed, that not much has changed with the human heart.
In fact, I think, sometimes Christians ( in today's world) feel like lamenting right along with him:
10 To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear?
Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen;
behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.
Jeremiah 6:10
Further, if Jeremiah were to be able to see the world today I can imagine he would be: astounded, stunned, flabbergasted, demoralized etc, To see just how far backwards the human race has gone.
24 But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. Jeremiah 7:24
But then again, maybe not..... he already saw the direction of the trend way back, thousands of years ago....
and it might not have shocked him to learn it only continued in its downward path.
26 Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck.
They did worse than their fathers. Jeremiah 7:26
Well a few headlines I saw today:
Biden Pledges to Gut Religious Freedom Protections, Saying They Give 'Hate' a 'Safe Harbor'
"Joe Biden made no bones about it: If he wins the presidential election, he will gut religious freedom protections that allow faith-based homeless shelters, charities, and small business owners to act according to their consciences. Specifically, he will shove LGBT ideology down the throats of religious Americans in the name of fighting “discrimination.”
pjmedia.com/election/tyler-o-neil/2020/10/30/biden-pledges-to-gut-religious-freedom-protections-saying-they-give-hate-a-safe-harbor-n1108379
I did not pick that news headline, to especially pick on Mr. Biden, But I do think, he is just one of millions who think this way.
However, make no mistake about it, I believe it is 'hate' against Christians, and more so against, Jesus, God, the Bible, righteousness etc.:
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. John 15:18
Another headline:
With Election Day looming, an anxious nation hears rumblings of violence
This is a mostly left wing article ( worried about conservatives rioting)
Nevertheless, they did say this way down towards the end of the article:
"Striking numbers of Americans on both sides - 15% of Republicans and 20% of Democrats - say the country would be better off if large numbers of people on the other side "just died."
When asked to imagine a scenario in which their party loses this election, 18% of Democrats and 13% of Republicans said that violence could be an acceptable response".
www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/With-Election-Day-looming-an-anxious-nation-15690753.php
In the days of the prophet Jeremiah the people would repeat to themselves: deluding, misguiding, misleading, distorted, misinformed, perverted, seducing etc. slogans like:
4 Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’ Jeremiah 7:4
They felt they were safe, saying that mantra and it kind of reminds me of slogans like:
Black Lives Matter
Of course they do!!!
As do:
ALL lives matter!!! Unborn lives matter!!!
Instead of spouting self deluding words It would be eternally better to speak God's Word!
Though this was for Israel, at that time I think, it behooves us to consider it carefully for our country.
[smear:#17983f]58 “If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God,
59 then the Lord will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions, afflictions severe and lasting, and sicknesses grievous and lasting.
60 And he will bring upon you again all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you.
61 Every sickness also and every affliction that is not recorded in the book of this law, the Lord will bring upon you, until you are destroyed.
62 Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number,
because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 28:58-62[/smear:#8412c1:0]
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 2, 2020 11:22:04 GMT -5
The unsaved have always been lovers of the World.
But in the World Today, Satan and his demons have greatly enhanced, the self-centered, materialistic, sensual, earthly trap...
So the unbelievers are walking aimlessly, in evil's darkness, they are lost and helpless, and know it not.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
And this
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4
And what are some of the foundations the devil and his fallen angels/demons have built on, in order to entice, hook, seduce, the lost and perishing?
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh
and the desires of the eyes
and pride of life—
is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
Looking at a few of the 'enhancements', that have increased and intensified temptations, of Today's world....
the desires of the flesh:
It used to be in the past eating was for the 'most part' necessary to stay alive... oh the rich always had indulgences But today, for many many more people:
Eating has become gluttony....
(but in part, due to the devil's massive lures, like ads, laboratory chemicals that excite the brain etc. )
Nevertheless, we ( unbelievers and saved alike) pretty much, walk willing, into the gastronomic delights and enticements.
Not many practice this:
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Proverbs 23:2
That verse can sound kind of funny, at first..... but there are serious medical 'worldly' consequences, to gluttony
and even more so, spiritual consequences in that, I am thinking, it could , or might be , a sign....
of a 'way of life', that shows, we may be dulling our hearts to God.
As we expand our waists, we are potentially showing a 'life style' of excess of the love, towards the 'world', so that ,we are shrinking our hearts and crippling our love and time with the Lord...
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Luke 12:23
Or for the unbeliever, they do not have any 'spiritual food' at all.
Jesus spoke of it:
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” John 4:32
I am not suggesting, that enjoying a tasty meal is a 'sin' but there really is such a thing as gluttony:
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. Proverbs 23:21
Which brings us to another desire of the flesh:
Drinking alcohol, can quickly become drunkenness and the drunk person, can become an alcoholic.
I have noticed the devil often takes some 'lure' and makes it truly pleasurable.... at first.
Not just food, or wine, or sleep, but drugs and sex etc.
But then those things soon get twisted into a demonic evil.
This is just one example:
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
Proverbs 23:29-35
I think when it comes to all manner of desires of the flesh
We might consider this verse:
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Well, tomorrow is election day sooooo.....
I will attempt to 'muse' a bit more, on the same subject of today's post I think? Lord willing.
Done for Today.
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Post by Cindy on Nov 2, 2020 12:43:34 GMT -5
Thinking about the World Today and Christians in it:
These verses comes to mind:
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:4-7
One of my own personal greatest regrets is I did not teach my children even, one verse of scripture, from the Bible.
So, I cannot fault Christian parents today in a way... Because for sure, the World Today is in greater distress than when I was a parent, and further, it often takes both the mother and father to work in order, to even keep a roof over the family's heads.
Nevertheless, I think... that Christian parents, get so caught up in the world and the things of the world....
that time to teach their children about God, Jesus, the Bible etc. takes a back seat.... a far far back seat.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
I am of the opinion, that not only do some ( many?) Christian parents have trouble instilling scripture into their children, ( and thus spending a lot of time with them)
Many parents, have difficulty with disciplining.
Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Proverbs 13:24
People seem to often stall, on the first part of that verse and immediately think:
Child abuse! However, the idea here is: discipline.
I watched a short video today about two girls that stabbed their friend 19 times ( attempting to kill her)
The purpose in their minds was to prove that 'slender man' was real...
and they wanted to become his 'proxies'!
However, in order to be able to be his proxies, they would have to kill someone.
12-year-old survives being stabbed 19 times by her friends: 20/20 Part 2
I noticed a couple of things listening to the girls in the video:
One, was there did not seem to be any remorse from either girl ( not to say there was not any..... I just did not hear it at the time).
Also, they almost seem thrilled to have attention of adults
And lastly, the thing I noticed, was their overwhelming desire to be a part of something 'bigger' then themselves.
( but as I see it, what they found was unfortunately Satan).
A 'proxy' can be like an ambassador.
But the one they wished to align themselves with and be a representative for was a murderer.
they feel under the spell of the devil:
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
Yes, they choose a fictional character 'slender man'
but the evil demon behind it is very real. To be able to continue to stab your 'best friend' 19 times.....!!!! intent on killing her......
Sadly, ( I am speculating) their parents did not encourage them to be:
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
In a way, the 'miracle' was the child who actually survived being stabbed 19 times and then, to be able to crawl out of the woods the surgeon said, she nearly missed dying due to one knife wound to the heart.
I have not suffered what the parents of the girls who did the stabbing must be going thru.... ( I have no idea if any of the parents were or are Christians)
But I have greatly suffered, that I did not bring my children up this way:
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
And no, the anger, that a child might have from time to time concerning 'discipline' is not an anger to be fearful of
Actually, the anger that they may have as a result of:
not being disciplined, that kind of anger is more a concern....
Even more to the point, of not being brought up in the instruction of the Lord.
For those parents who do bring their children up in the instruction of the Lord...
It will be more likely ( thought not an absolute given)
that this next verse will be the wonderful blessing they may reap:
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
done for Today
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you're falling into the same bad habit I had and so many others have too. Let me show you why it's wrong to think that because we failed to do something the Lord commands us to do, that it's not fair to rebuke other Christians for not doing it. We were sinning when we didn't teach our children the ways of the Lord. Is it ok to sin if others are sinning in the same way? Of course not. We have now learned out lesson though and if we could we would teach our children God's ways, and would give anything if we could go back in time and do so. Therefore the loving and correct thing to do would be to soundly rebuke those who aren't doing so now so that they at least would have a chance to repent and obey the Lord. It's fine and good for us to let others know that the reason we're telling them this is because we sinned by not doing so and know what the consequences are and don't want them to wind up going through the same things we have; but we shouldn't ever say we can't fault others for sinning the same way we did. We can and should fault them!
Nor should we make excuses for them, like saying they can't do it or that it's harder for them to do so then it was for others. That's honestly not true. In the old days, like back in the 17 or 1800's both parents worked very hard at home and the children helped with the work, but many of those parents did in fact teach their children God's ways. (think Little house on the prairie lol). I have to say this though because it is a sin to make excuses for our sin or the sins of others. To say that parents today have it harder and therefore can't obey the Lord in this or at least can't do a real good job of it, is to basically say that God is demanding things that are impossible for us to do. That's basically what the guy with 1 mina said: “I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’” (Luke 19:21) That made "the master" angry and He then called the man His enemy because of it.
That's awful what happened to that little girl. Since they were all friends, I wonder if the girl volunteered to be killed or if the other two planned it without her. Some friends huh? Satan sure got hold of them at a young age. I bet that the girl that got stabbed, realized afterward how wrong her thinking had been before hand. This really shows the truth of what Titus 1:15 says. I think that the evil we're seeing today falls completely in the laps of every single parent that's lived, including me. (of course). I'm not saying that there wouldn't be evil around if all children had been raised the way the Lord tells us too, but I do believe there would be a whole lot less!
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Post by Cindy on Nov 2, 2020 12:46:19 GMT -5
I'm sorry, I'll have to read the rest tomorrow as I'm way behind as it is. You might want to check the other thread on the pandemic though....
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 2, 2020 13:09:33 GMT -5
I did not mean to be rebuking the parents of the girls who did the stabbing.....I should have paid more attention to how I was writing :(
I did try to say, I have not been thru what they must be going thru
I was really thinking of how hard it is for parents today who both have to work and have little to no time to know what the world is feeding their children nor time to instill Christian values ( I do not know if any of the parents were, or were not, Christians)
Still, its worth having less material things in life...
and prayfully, God willing,
avoid some of these types of things the world, sin and Satan are teaching children because their eternity is at stake
I was more focused on the videos, games and movies of the fictional character, that so inspired and its effect on 2 girls.
No the girl who was stabbed, said, that she was 'forced' to go....or at least towards the time they intended to kill her. The whole story was so sad
and my heart goes out not just to the parents of the stabbed child but to the parents of the two girls who did the stabbing.
Their hearts must be breaking also. In some ways, maybe, even more than the parents of the victim.
because they must be berating themselves as to what did I do wrong? They may never get over it without the Lord
But I was writing because, I would want to warn those who have young children today of the terrible dangers, the devil and his demons have devised for their children
Children need their parents to careful teach them, what God says both the bad news and the good news.
I think this happened several years ago (Like maybe in 2014 or so) So I am not sure what happened to their two girls. I think, the idea was that perhaps putting them in some kind of mental institution was perhaps a plan?
But again, some day those two girls, may also grieve at what they did, and they will need Jesus forgiveness, to be able to go on in life.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 2, 2020 13:12:31 GMT -5
The unsaved have always been lovers of the World.
But in the World Today, Satan and his demons have greatly enhanced, the self-centered, materialistic, sensual, earthly trap...
So the unbelievers are walking aimlessly, in evil's darkness, they are lost and helpless, and know it not.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
And this
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4
And what are some of the foundations the devil and his fallen angels/demons have built on, in order to entice, hook, seduce, the lost and perishing?
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh
and the desires of the eyes
and pride of life—
is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
Looking at a few of the 'enhancements', that have increased and intensified temptations, of Today's world....
the desires of the flesh:
It used to be in the past eating was for the 'most part' necessary to stay alive... oh the rich always had indulgences But today, for many many more people:
Eating has become gluttony....
(but in part, due to the devil's massive lures, like ads, laboratory chemicals that excite the brain etc. )
Nevertheless, we ( unbelievers and saved alike) pretty much, walk willing, into the gastronomic delights and enticements.
Not many practice this:
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Proverbs 23:2
That verse can sound kind of funny, at first..... but there are serious medical 'worldly' consequences, to gluttony
and even more so, spiritual consequences in that, I am thinking, it could , or might be , a sign....
of a 'way of life', that shows, we may be dulling our hearts to God.
As we expand our waists, we are potentially showing a 'life style' of excess of the love, towards the 'world', so that ,we are shrinking our hearts and crippling our love and time with the Lord...
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Luke 12:23
Or for the unbeliever, they do not have any 'spiritual food' at all.
Jesus spoke of it:
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” John 4:32
I am not suggesting, that enjoying a tasty meal is a 'sin' but there really is such a thing as gluttony:
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. Proverbs 23:21
Which brings us to another desire of the flesh:
Drinking alcohol, can quickly become drunkenness and the drunk person, can become an alcoholic.
I have noticed the devil often takes some 'lure' and makes it truly pleasurable.... at first.
Not just food, or wine, or sleep, but drugs and sex etc.
But then those things soon get twisted into a demonic evil.
This is just one example:
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
Proverbs 23:29-35
I think when it comes to all manner of desires of the flesh
We might consider this verse:
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Well, tomorrow is election day sooooo.....
I will attempt to 'muse' a bit more, on the same subject of today's post I think? Lord willing.
Done for Today.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 3, 2020 10:05:30 GMT -5
I did not really finish about how so many people in the world today ( even believers struggle greatly ) with:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life— is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
The problem for sinners and even believers is loving something God hates, Which sounds weird in a way because God is love.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
But there are also things God hates Even tho He is perfect love. He also has perfect hate of evil etc.
One of the things God hates is pride ( and that was Satan's downfall)
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment....
18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
Psalm 73:6,18,19
God actually hates other things like: lies, murder, cruelty, divorce, false religion, etc. etc. (basically all sin).
The difference between believers and the unsaved is: the unsaved loves the world whole heartedly, there is nothing else for them...
Believers have a struggle against such a love, They do hate the system of anti-God but sometimes fall into one of its traps,
Nevertheless, they fervently want to aim for being like, the apostle Paul who said:
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14
And believers keep this Word from God, in mind:
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
I probably should have mentioned before that the 'world' is not nature nor people etc.
It is instead, the 'system of evil' which keeps people busy and traps them in all manner of sin.
It is a spiritual 'world' of evil. The system of anti-God.
Most people have been blessed with 'seeing' eyes and yet, they are blind.... spiritually blind to seeing God and seeing evil and sin.
Not many make this kind of promise:
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? Job 31:1
Rather, today, with so many woman dressing as sexy as possible, strip joints on many corners of many streets, and pornography available online 24/7 Therefore making it an even much greater task, to deal with the lust of the eyes.
We are sinners at heart, but our eyes can encourage, entice, and seduce our selfish 'pleasures' (so called 'pleasures' that do not last,)....
but rather, are corrupt, evil, hurtful, demoralizing and in the end, cause eternal death and Hell (if we are never saved).
It is not just sex that our eyes can lust after, it could be almost anything.
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? James 4:1
Well there is still pride of life.... I will try to finish up with that tomorrow...
For now Christians, we all need to focus, on keeping every thought captive.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Nov 3, 2020 10:54:12 GMT -5
Thinking of the World today, Jesus Words, in the Bible seem to be appearing and increasing more and more like never before:
[smear:#5da21b]6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Matthew 24:6-8[/smear:#c31a34:0]
Philly City Council Strips Cops Of Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas After Dozens Wounded In Street Violence www.zerohedge.com/political/philly-city-council-strips-cops-rubber-bullets-tear-gas-after-dozens-wounded-street
Anti-Trump Group Plans to Cause 'Serious Disruption' if Trump Wins Election www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/anti-trump-group-plans-to-cause-serious-disruption-if-trump-wins-election.html?utm_source=Jeeng
But it is not just the USA that is suffering: chaos, violence, mayhem, terror, etc. Here are just only a very few headlines from parts of the world:
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad says Muslims 'have the right to kill millions of French people'
neonnettle.com/news/13074-muslims-have-the-right-to-kill-millions-of-french-people-malaysia-s-ex-pm-warns
Anti-France protests draw tens of thousands across Muslim world www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/30/anti-france-protests-draws-tens-of-thousands-across-muslim-world
North Korea Jails, Executes Anyone Who Owns a Bible, Shocking New Report Says
"A new report by a human rights watchdog details horrific violations of religious freedom within North Korea, including citizens brutally tortured for converting to Christianity and individuals publicly executed for owning a Bible."
www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/north-korea-jails-executes-anyone-who-owns-a-bible-shocking-new-report-says.html
And a few disasters not caused by the violence of man:
Following earthquake in Turkey, IDF offers to send aid
"An earthquake has struck near the Turkish city of Izmir and the Greek island of Samos. Reports say the earthquake was large, measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale. Destruction could be seen across the skyline of the city as dust rose and buildings collapsed. Flooding then occurred after the sea briefly retreated from the harbor, leaving boats on the sea bed before the water rushed in".
www.jpost.com/middle-east/earthquake-strikes-izmir-647520
Death toll jumps to 230 after Typhoon "Molave" strikes central Vietnam watchers.news/2020/10/30/death-toll-jumps-to-230-after-typhoon-molave-strikes-central-vietnam/
Of course, I could post a ton more, and little to none would be 'good' news.
Certainly, 'Good' still happens,
But for the most part, circumstances all over the world today, are sliding down a slippy slope of doom and gloom.
I have noticed the chaos, violence, disasters etc. are coming virtually, daily.
So what are Christians to do?
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
We have our job cut out for us!
Also as things continue to get worse, barbaric, heinous diabolical wicked etc
Believers ought to:
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28
And Christians can pray...
I don't think Christians are going to be able to reverse the course the world is on today ( nor anyone else).
However, we can pray! Pray for the salvation of family loved ones even enemies.
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44
Christians can also do what we have always done help those who are suffering, in whatever way we can....
( that is, as long as we are still here) for we may be raptured any day, month or year but nevertheless soon-ish
But while we are still here, especially, as unbelievers suffer more and more trauma, fear and shock....
because we haven't seen anything yet compared to what is coming Christians already know, because God has told us, in His Word ( the Bible):
They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame. Isaiah 13:8
We can offer them the comfort of the truth if they wish to hear it:
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
and
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7
Done for Today
Good one! That headline about North Korea is a joke though. People have known for many years that having a Bible is a death sentence there!
In the World Today, I think maybe the biblical prophet Jeremiah would be amazed, that not much has changed with the human heart.
In fact, I think, sometimes Christians ( in today's world) feel like lamenting right along with him:
10 To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear?
Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen;
behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.
Jeremiah 6:10
Further, if Jeremiah were to be able to see the world today I can imagine he would be: astounded, stunned, flabbergasted, demoralized etc, To see just how far backwards the human race has gone.
24 But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. Jeremiah 7:24
But then again, maybe not..... he already saw the direction of the trend way back, thousands of years ago....
and it might not have shocked him to learn it only continued in its downward path.
26 Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck.
They did worse than their fathers. Jeremiah 7:26
Well a few headlines I saw today:
Biden Pledges to Gut Religious Freedom Protections, Saying They Give 'Hate' a 'Safe Harbor'
"Joe Biden made no bones about it: If he wins the presidential election, he will gut religious freedom protections that allow faith-based homeless shelters, charities, and small business owners to act according to their consciences. Specifically, he will shove LGBT ideology down the throats of religious Americans in the name of fighting “discrimination.”
pjmedia.com/election/tyler-o-neil/2020/10/30/biden-pledges-to-gut-religious-freedom-protections-saying-they-give-hate-a-safe-harbor-n1108379
I did not pick that news headline, to especially pick on Mr. Biden, But I do think, he is just one of millions who think this way.
However, make no mistake about it, I believe it is 'hate' against Christians, and more so against, Jesus, God, the Bible, righteousness etc.:
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. John 15:18
Another headline:
With Election Day looming, an anxious nation hears rumblings of violence
This is a mostly left wing article ( worried about conservatives rioting)
Nevertheless, they did say this way down towards the end of the article:
"Striking numbers of Americans on both sides - 15% of Republicans and 20% of Democrats - say the country would be better off if large numbers of people on the other side "just died."
When asked to imagine a scenario in which their party loses this election, 18% of Democrats and 13% of Republicans said that violence could be an acceptable response".
www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/With-Election-Day-looming-an-anxious-nation-15690753.php
In the days of the prophet Jeremiah the people would repeat to themselves: deluding, misguiding, misleading, distorted, misinformed, perverted, seducing etc. slogans like:
4 Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’ Jeremiah 7:4
They felt they were safe, saying that mantra and it kind of reminds me of slogans like:
Black Lives Matter
Of course they do!!!
As do:
ALL lives matter!!! Unborn lives matter!!!
Instead of spouting self deluding words It would be eternally better to speak God's Word!
Though this was for Israel, at that time I think, it behooves us to consider it carefully for our country.
[smear:#17983f]58 “If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God,
59 then the Lord will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions, afflictions severe and lasting, and sicknesses grievous and lasting.
60 And he will bring upon you again all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you.
61 Every sickness also and every affliction that is not recorded in the book of this law, the Lord will bring upon you, until you are destroyed.
62 Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number,
because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 28:58-62[/smear:#8412c1:0]
Done for Today
Good! You chose a verse that really speaks to me: “To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.” (Jeremiah 6:10) I guess it's one of my pet peeves. But I've seen how people have become more and more unable to sit and listen to a good sermon, or to sit and read it, or watch it on a video. Yet they have no problem sitting for literally hours and watching or listening to all kinds of other "interesting" things. On our old board I had many people tell me that the articles I wrote about God's Word were much too long, so they didn't really read them they just "skimmed" them. And then they'd ask a bunch of questions that were covered in the article which I'd tell them. But they didn't want to read it all even to answer their questions! Very few people actually read them. Interestingly, those who did read them were the ones who were obviously growing in their faith. They were people that anyone just meeting them would realize that they were Christians. They loved Jesus and they loved His Word. They showed in their lives the truth of one of Wiersbe's statements, that "The way we treat the Bible is the way we treat Jesus Christ, for He is the Living Word and the Bible is the written Word. " Most of the people who can't stand what to them are long sermons or long articles about God and His Word, really don't know the Lord at all. They either don't read their Bible (if they have one) at all, or at least it's very rare for them to read anything in it at all.
To me the fact that people can't handle the longer sermons and only want short little homilies, is yet another sign that these are the last days. It's because of this that people have become so wicked, and it's because of this that they have no discernment at all. And it's due to this that their minds and consciences have become hardened against God and His Word so that they turn to false teachers who will tell them what they want to hear in a nice short little homily while they sit in what should be called a country club instead of a church. But this makes them feel good as they can then go home and tell their neighbor that they are the better person because they went to "church."
The unsaved have always been lovers of the World.
But in the World Today, Satan and his demons have greatly enhanced, the self-centered, materialistic, sensual, earthly trap...
So the unbelievers are walking aimlessly, in evil's darkness, they are lost and helpless, and know it not.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
And this
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4
And what are some of the foundations the devil and his fallen angels/demons have built on, in order to entice, hook, seduce, the lost and perishing?
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh
and the desires of the eyes
and pride of life—
is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
Looking at a few of the 'enhancements', that have increased and intensified temptations, of Today's world....
the desires of the flesh:
It used to be in the past eating was for the 'most part' necessary to stay alive... oh the rich always had indulgences But today, for many many more people:
Eating has become gluttony....
(but in part, due to the devil's massive lures, like ads, laboratory chemicals that excite the brain etc. )
Nevertheless, we ( unbelievers and saved alike) pretty much, walk willing, into the gastronomic delights and enticements.
Not many practice this:
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Proverbs 23:2
That verse can sound kind of funny, at first..... but there are serious medical 'worldly' consequences, to gluttony
and even more so, spiritual consequences in that, I am thinking, it could , or might be , a sign....
of a 'way of life', that shows, we may be dulling our hearts to God.
As we expand our waists, we are potentially showing a 'life style' of excess of the love, towards the 'world', so that ,we are shrinking our hearts and crippling our love and time with the Lord...
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Luke 12:23
Or for the unbeliever, they do not have any 'spiritual food' at all.
Jesus spoke of it:
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” John 4:32
I am not suggesting, that enjoying a tasty meal is a 'sin' but there really is such a thing as gluttony:
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. Proverbs 23:21
Which brings us to another desire of the flesh:
Drinking alcohol, can quickly become drunkenness and the drunk person, can become an alcoholic.
I have noticed the devil often takes some 'lure' and makes it truly pleasurable.... at first.
Not just food, or wine, or sleep, but drugs and sex etc.
But then those things soon get twisted into a demonic evil.
This is just one example:
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
Proverbs 23:29-35
I think when it comes to all manner of desires of the flesh
We might consider this verse:
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Well, tomorrow is election day sooooo.....
I will attempt to 'muse' a bit more, on the same subject of today's post I think? Lord willing.
Done for Today.
Good one and interesting!
I did not mean to be rebuking the parents of the girls who did the stabbing.....I should have paid more attention to how I was writing :(
I did try to say, I have not been thru what they must be going thru
I was really thinking of how hard it is for parents today who both have to work and have little to no time to know what the world is feeding their children nor time to instill Christian values ( I do not know if any of the parents were, or were not, Christians)
Still, its worth having less material things in life...
and prayfully, God willing,
avoid some of these types of things the world, sin and Satan are teaching children because their eternity is at stake
I was more focused on the videos, games and movies of the fictional character, that so inspired and its effect on 2 girls.
No the girl who was stabbed, said, that she was 'forced' to go....or at least towards the time they intended to kill her. The whole story was so sad
and my heart goes out not just to the parents of the stabbed child but to the parents of the two girls who did the stabbing.
Their hearts must be breaking also. In some ways, maybe, even more than the parents of the victim.
because they must be berating themselves as to what did I do wrong? They may never get over it without the Lord
But I was writing because, I would want to warn those who have young children today of the terrible dangers, the devil and his demons have devised for their children
Children need their parents to careful teach them, what God says both the bad news and the good news.
I think this happened several years ago (Like maybe in 2014 or so) So I am not sure what happened to their two girls. I think, the idea was that perhaps putting them in some kind of mental institution was perhaps a plan?
But again, some day those two girls, may also grieve at what they did, and they will need Jesus forgiveness, to be able to go on in life.
lol now you've confused me as I didn't mean any of that to be about rebuking the girls you talked about later. Everything I wrote was directly replying to the very first part of your post. Here's a bit of it:
These verses comes to mind:
4 “Hear, O Israel:
The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
5 You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your might.
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way,
and when you lie down,
and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
One of my own personal greatest regrets
is I did not teach my children even,
one verse of scripture,
from the Bible.
So, I cannot fault Christian parents today
in a way...
Because for sure,
the World Today
is in greater distress than when I was
a parent,
and further,
it often takes
both the mother and father to work
in order,
to even keep a roof over the family's heads.
Etc. That's what I was talking about hon....saying that you can't fault parents today and then making excuses as to why they might not be able to obey God... It's subtle for sure, but something we tend to do without thinking about it. (((((hug)))))
The unsaved have always been lovers of the World.
But in the World Today, Satan and his demons have greatly enhanced, the self-centered, materialistic, sensual, earthly trap...
So the unbelievers are walking aimlessly, in evil's darkness, they are lost and helpless, and know it not.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
And this
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4
And what are some of the foundations the devil and his fallen angels/demons have built on, in order to entice, hook, seduce, the lost and perishing?
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh
and the desires of the eyes
and pride of life—
is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
Looking at a few of the 'enhancements', that have increased and intensified temptations, of Today's world....
the desires of the flesh:
It used to be in the past eating was for the 'most part' necessary to stay alive... oh the rich always had indulgences But today, for many many more people:
Eating has become gluttony....
(but in part, due to the devil's massive lures, like ads, laboratory chemicals that excite the brain etc. )
Nevertheless, we ( unbelievers and saved alike) pretty much, walk willing, into the gastronomic delights and enticements.
Not many practice this:
and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Proverbs 23:2
That verse can sound kind of funny, at first..... but there are serious medical 'worldly' consequences, to gluttony
and even more so, spiritual consequences in that, I am thinking, it could , or might be , a sign....
of a 'way of life', that shows, we may be dulling our hearts to God.
As we expand our waists, we are potentially showing a 'life style' of excess of the love, towards the 'world', so that ,we are shrinking our hearts and crippling our love and time with the Lord...
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Luke 12:23
Or for the unbeliever, they do not have any 'spiritual food' at all.
Jesus spoke of it:
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” John 4:32
I am not suggesting, that enjoying a tasty meal is a 'sin' but there really is such a thing as gluttony:
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. Proverbs 23:21
Which brings us to another desire of the flesh:
Drinking alcohol, can quickly become drunkenness and the drunk person, can become an alcoholic.
I have noticed the devil often takes some 'lure' and makes it truly pleasurable.... at first.
Not just food, or wine, or sleep, but drugs and sex etc.
But then those things soon get twisted into a demonic evil.
This is just one example:
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
Proverbs 23:29-35
I think when it comes to all manner of desires of the flesh
We might consider this verse:
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Well, tomorrow is election day sooooo.....
I will attempt to 'muse' a bit more, on the same subject of today's post I think? Lord willing.
Done for Today.
another good one for sure and so true!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 3, 2020 11:10:42 GMT -5
Sorry, I do sometimes, confuse folks LOL I see what you are saying now.
I am posting today's post again, since it is way up and would be hard to find.
I so agree with you, about people saying a sermon is toooo long or a post etc.
I think that is why, even people who post fluff videos try to keep them under 15 mins.
people cannot seem to tolerate or focus on something for very long
unless.....
it is a worldly movie or something like that... then they can binge and focus for hours and hours.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 3, 2020 11:12:39 GMT -5
I did not really finish about how so many people in the world today ( even believers struggle greatly ) with:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life— is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
The problem for sinners and even believers is loving something God hates, Which sounds weird in a way because God is love.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
But there are also things God hates Even tho He is perfect love. He also has perfect hate of evil etc.
One of the things God hates is pride ( and that was Satan's downfall)
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment....
18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
Psalm 73:6,18,19
God actually hates other things like: lies, murder, cruelty, divorce, false religion, etc. etc. (basically all sin).
The difference between believers and the unsaved is: the unsaved loves the world whole heartedly, there is nothing else for them...
Believers have a struggle against such a love, They do hate the system of anti-God but sometimes fall into one of its traps,
Nevertheless, they fervently want to aim for being like, the apostle Paul who said:
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14
And believers keep this Word from God, in mind:
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
I probably should have mentioned before that the 'world' is not nature nor people etc.
It is instead, the 'system of evil' which keeps people busy and traps them in all manner of sin.
It is a spiritual 'world' of evil. The system of anti-God.
Most people have been blessed with 'seeing' eyes and yet, they are blind.... spiritually blind to seeing God and seeing evil and sin.
Not many make this kind of promise:
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? Job 31:1
Rather, today, with so many woman dressing as sexy as possible, strip joints on many corners of many streets, and pornography available online 24/7 Therefore making it an even much greater task, to deal with the lust of the eyes.
We are sinners at heart, but our eyes can encourage, entice, and seduce our selfish 'pleasures' (so called 'pleasures' that do not last,)....
but rather, are corrupt, evil, hurtful, demoralizing and in the end, cause eternal death and Hell (if we are never saved).
It is not just sex that our eyes can lust after, it could be almost anything.
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? James 4:1
Well there is still pride of life.... I will try to finish up with that tomorrow...
For now Christians, we all need to focus, on keeping every thought captive.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Nov 4, 2020 9:17:30 GMT -5
Sorry, I do sometimes, confuse folks LOL I see what you are saying now.
I am posting today's post again, since it is way up and would be hard to find.
I so agree with you, about people saying a sermon is toooo long or a post etc.
I think that is why, even people who post fluff videos try to keep them under 15 mins.
people cannot seem to tolerate or focus on something for very long
unless.....
it is a worldly movie or something like that... then they can binge and focus for hours and hours. So true!I did not really finish about how so many people in the world today ( even believers struggle greatly ) with:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life— is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
The problem for sinners and even believers is loving something God hates, Which sounds weird in a way because God is love.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
But there are also things God hates Even tho He is perfect love. He also has perfect hate of evil etc.
One of the things God hates is pride ( and that was Satan's downfall)
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment....
18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
Psalm 73:6,18,19
God actually hates other things like: lies, murder, cruelty, divorce, false religion, etc. etc. (basically all sin).
The difference between believers and the unsaved is: the unsaved loves the world whole heartedly, there is nothing else for them...
Believers have a struggle against such a love, They do hate the system of anti-God but sometimes fall into one of its traps,
Nevertheless, they fervently want to aim for being like, the apostle Paul who said:
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14
And believers keep this Word from God, in mind:
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
I probably should have mentioned before that the 'world' is not nature nor people etc.
It is instead, the 'system of evil' which keeps people busy and traps them in all manner of sin.
It is a spiritual 'world' of evil. The system of anti-God.
Most people have been blessed with 'seeing' eyes and yet, they are blind.... spiritually blind to seeing God and seeing evil and sin.
Not many make this kind of promise:
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? Job 31:1
Rather, today, with so many woman dressing as sexy as possible, strip joints on many corners of many streets, and pornography available online 24/7 Therefore making it an even much greater task, to deal with the lust of the eyes.
We are sinners at heart, but our eyes can encourage, entice, and seduce our selfish 'pleasures' (so called 'pleasures' that do not last,)....
but rather, are corrupt, evil, hurtful, demoralizing and in the end, cause eternal death and Hell (if we are never saved).
It is not just sex that our eyes can lust after, it could be almost anything.
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? James 4:1
Well there is still pride of life.... I will try to finish up with that tomorrow...
For now Christians, we all need to focus, on keeping every thought captive.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Done for Today
Well said! I have to reapply for my hospital's help getting my prescriptions so don't have much time today. Hopefully I'll get it all done today and will have more time tomorrow though.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 4, 2020 10:16:51 GMT -5
I am so glad you mentioned that... we have to reapply every 6 mts...
and I have no idea when we have to do all the endless paper work again... Well, I do not do a lot of it mostly Leonard.....
but yeah!
So, I will not go look sometime today to see, when we have to reapply.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 4, 2020 12:16:38 GMT -5
I am looking at another sinful trap in the world today:
The pride of life:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life— is not from the Father but is from the world.
1 John 2:15,16
Although, I do think, movies, singers. society, videos, video games etc etc. all play a part, in enticing saved and unsaved, to sin... along with demons and the devil's influences....
In the end, even IF all those lures, seductions, traps etc. were to be removed... sinners would still sin because it is their very core nature.
I have often lamented that the Bible, God's Word is so despised, so mocked etc.
and then I think, IF ONLY we could teach all the unbelievers THE truth If we could only get them to read scripture their sins would begin to lessened greatly!!
But sadly, I am wrong...it would not make everything wonderful..... The millennial Kingdom of Jesus will prove that even in the midst of such perfection...
For many many people the 'forbidden', (to do what God hates), turns into:
an exciting, fascinating, snare! And sin is inborn.
Just watch a mom tell a 2 year old: "Don't touch"!!!!....
And what does the little one do? It is just too much temptation..... not to touch!!
For adults here is a partial list:
19- Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20- idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21- envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.
Galatians 5:19-21
And so when God the Father tells us (children).... Do NOT ( fill in the blank) the very law tempts us:
5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. Romans 7:5
And one of the sins that pushes us is Pride arrogance bragging etc. not only do we think we are better than everybody else we tell them we are!
This is not the sinners natural goal:
5 ... Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5
Human Pride, is comparable to the devil's pride... the 'he' in the verse being the devil:
He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride.” Job 41:34
This next verse in scripture is certainly true!!
We are seeing this verse acted out, almost minute by minute:
10 Only by pride comes contention: .... Proverbs 13:10
I think pride..
(enticed by Satan himself)
made it's first foothold into the human psych when Eve decided she wanted to be 'wise' on the level of God, Himself.....
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, Genesis 3:6
And just like Eve I struggle (and have struggled) wanting the be:
the BEST the smartest the prettiest the greatest.....fill in the blank!
But, I also now know,
God does not bless those wanting to dethrone Him!!!
Thankfully, Jesus understands this temptation of PRIDE.
Satan did his most evil best to trap God the Son, thru pride after Jesus had fasted 40 days in the wilderness.....
But of course, that temptation of the lure and trap, of pride did NOT work on our Lord and Savior.
I pray for humbleness!
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,645
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Post by fearnot on Nov 5, 2020 10:43:31 GMT -5
In the world today, I have been thinking about lies and lying.
We often hear that some lies are sooooo small, and not dark and evil...
In fact, they are 'JUST' little white lies.
The justification seems to be: since the lies are not big or are not black, but rather, white they are not really bad.
But God does not seem to make a distinction about the color or size of the lie:
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Proverbs 12:22
Another option, is to make a lie, not such a big deal by saying: It was a 1/2 truth
( There really is no such thing!
Either something is TRUE or it is not True....
even though we 'wish' to spin it that way, by claiming, we told a partial truth and a little bit of a lie with it.
Kind of like 'magical 'mathematics...
we are hoping that by division ( or would it be addition? 1/2 + 1/2) LOL
we can turn a lie into a truth, if we include a 'snippet 'of truth in our lie.
I think even Satan might try to use that, as his defense, concerning the Garden of Eden ( suggesting he told Adam and Eve 1/2 truths and 1/2 lies)
The devil's purpose in telling a 1/2 truth was to get Adam and Eve to believe his lies.
but even the devil's lie about how smart we would be, is in the end a lie because science that is not based on God is a lie....and we are not really smart.
However God says to us:
9 Do not lie to one another,
seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices Colossians 3:9
Lies break trust. No matter how much the liar, might want to consider the lie no big deal,
It almost always is a big deal, to the person who is being lied too.
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16
And God says this:
16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,......... Proverbs 6:16,17
Still....
Even Christians can be confused on this issue: What if we are just trying to not hurt someone's feelings? Or perhaps protect them from danger.
it is true that even in the Bible a couple of times lying, seemed to produce a 'good' outcome ( at least so it seems)
One example would be that Rahab lied to protect the Israelite spies when she said:
5 And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” Joshua 2:5
So this is a 'tricky' one for sure, She saved the spies lives.
But here is a thought could God have saved them without her lie?
And what IF they were caught, tortured, and killed.... would all have been lost for Israel, as a result?
For sure, I personally, would so grieve anyone being tortured not just people, but animals too.
I do not know, if God would have done something to save the spies...
Maybe an earthquake, a fire, evil men dying (so they were not concerned about 2 spies) etc.
When we lie, it takes God out of the equation we don't get to see the miracle He could do.... and our faith is in ourselves ( not in Him).
But, perhaps, in such a desperate situation in this evil and fallen world.....
We might make the choice between the lesser of 2 evils....
but most situations, do not have that sort of monstrous weight or gravity. And we Christians have to be aware that some liars will infiltrate our churches.
[smear:#36f914] 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 1 Timothy 4:1-2[/smear:#ff12fd:0]
Having one's conscience seared is a real danger of lying.
At first it is hard to lie, but since the lies might be 'little', it is a bit easier to lie..
And therein lies the problem!!!
It will get easier and easier to lie, and then, its a habit, until finally, our consciences become seared.
Today, I am especially relating to this verse:
1 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. 2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. Psalms 120:2
I personally am feeling, some of the results of potential lies going on in the world Today.
I know God is aware of everything and His plans will prevail!!!
Nonetheless, I don't like being lied to, or having the wool pulled over my eyes.
Which means I need to work on forgiveness because the King (Jesus) is still coming maybe sooner than later.
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Nov 5, 2020 12:10:30 GMT -5
I am so glad you mentioned that... we have to reapply every 6 mts...
and I have no idea when we have to do all the endless paper work again... Well, I do not do a lot of it mostly Leonard.....
but yeah!
So, I will not go look sometime today to see, when we have to reapply. Wow, that's a lot! We only have to do it once a year which is a blessing!
I am looking at another sinful trap in the world today:
The pride of life:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life— is not from the Father but is from the world.
1 John 2:15,16
Although, I do think, movies, singers. society, videos, video games etc etc. all play a part, in enticing saved and unsaved, to sin... along with demons and the devil's influences....
In the end, even IF all those lures, seductions, traps etc. were to be removed... sinners would still sin because it is their very core nature.
I have often lamented that the Bible, God's Word is so despised, so mocked etc.
and then I think, IF ONLY we could teach all the unbelievers THE truth If we could only get them to read scripture their sins would begin to lessened greatly!!
But sadly, I am wrong...it would not make everything wonderful..... The millennial Kingdom of Jesus will prove that even in the midst of such perfection...
For many many people the 'forbidden', (to do what God hates), turns into:
an exciting, fascinating, snare! And sin is inborn.
Just watch a mom tell a 2 year old: "Don't touch"!!!!....
And what does the little one do? It is just too much temptation..... not to touch!!
For adults here is a partial list:
19- Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20- idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21- envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.
Galatians 5:19-21
And so when God the Father tells us (children).... Do NOT ( fill in the blank) the very law tempts us:
5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. Romans 7:5
And one of the sins that pushes us is Pride arrogance bragging etc. not only do we think we are better than everybody else we tell them we are!
This is not the sinners natural goal:
5 ... Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5
Human Pride, is comparable to the devil's pride... the 'he' in the verse being the devil:
He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride.” Job 41:34
This next verse in scripture is certainly true!!
We are seeing this verse acted out, almost minute by minute:
10 Only by pride comes contention: .... Proverbs 13:10
I think pride..
(enticed by Satan himself)
made it's first foothold into the human psych when Eve decided she wanted to be 'wise' on the level of God, Himself.....
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, Genesis 3:6
And just like Eve I struggle (and have struggled) wanting the be:
the BEST the smartest the prettiest the greatest.....fill in the blank!
But, I also now know,
God does not bless those wanting to dethrone Him!!!
Thankfully, Jesus understands this temptation of PRIDE.
Satan did his most evil best to trap God the Son, thru pride after Jesus had fasted 40 days in the wilderness.....
But of course, that temptation of the lure and trap, of pride did NOT work on our Lord and Savior.
I pray for humbleness!
Done for Today
That's great! You do realize that what you wrote is a lot like some of what Paul explained in Roman's 7 right?
In the world today, I have been thinking about lies and lying.
We often hear that some lies are sooooo small, and not dark and evil...
In fact, they are 'JUST' little white lies.
The justification seems to be: since the lies are not big or are not black, but rather, white they are not really bad.
But God does not seem to make a distinction about the color or size of the lie:
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Proverbs 12:22
Another option, to make a lie not such a big deal is to say: It was a 1/2 truth
( There really is no such thing either something is TRUE or it is not True even though we wish to spin it that way)
Kind of like 'magical 'mathematics can turn a lie into a truth, if you include a snippet of truth in your lie.
I think even Satan might try to use that as his defense, concerning the Garden of Eden ( suggesting he told Adam and Eve 1/2 truths and 1/2 lies)
The devil's purpose in telling a 1/2 truth was to get Adam and Eve to believe his lies.
However God says to us:
9 Do not lie to one another,
seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices Colossians 3:9
Lies break trust, and though the liar, might want to consider it no big deal, it almost always is a big deal, to the person who is being lied too.
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16
And God says this:
16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,.........
Still....
Even Christians can be confused on this issue: What if we are just trying to not hurt someone's feelings? Or perhaps protect them from danger.
it is true that even in the Bible a couple of times lying, seemed to produce a 'good' outcome ( at least so it seems)
One example would be that Rahab lied to protect the Israelite spies when she said:
5 And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” Joshua 2:5
So this is a 'tricky' one for sure She saved their lives.
But here is a thought could God have saved them without her lie?
And what IF they were caught, tortured, and killed.... would all have been lost for Israel.
For sure, I would so grieve anyone being tortured not just people but animals too.
I do not know, if God would have done something to save the spies maybe an earthquake, a fire, evil men dying so they were not concerned about 2 spies etc.
When we lie, it takes God out of the equation we don't get to see the miracle He could do and our faith is in ourselves.
But perhaps in such a desperate situation in this evil and fallen world..... we might make the choice between the lesser of 2 evils but most situations, do not have that sort of monstrous weight or gravity. And we Christians have to be aware that some liars will infiltrate our churches.
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 1 Timothy 4:1-2
Having one's conscience seared is a real danger of lying.
At first it is hard to lie but since the lies might be 'little', it is a bit easier to lie..
And therein lies the problem!!! It will get easier and easier to lie, and then, its a habit until finally, our consciences become seared.
Today, I am especially relating to this verse:
1 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. 2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. Psalms 120:2
Another point about Rahab is that the only thing she knew about God was what He had done to get the Jews out of Egypt and bring them to where they were now. As for what God said was right and wrong, she had no idea. To her, lying was natural in the situation she was in. Also we need to look at what the Bible actually says about her and her salvation. We are never, ever told that she was saved because of her lie or that God condoned her lie. Instead we're told that God prevented her from being killed with the rest of the people because she welcomed the spies; not because she lied about them! Then we're told that God considered her righteous not for her lying, but for lodging the spies and sending them off in a different direction. “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” (Hebrews 11:31)
“In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?” (James 2:25)
Those who try to suggest that lying is ever something that God would agree with are sadly mistaken. I think of the worst case, if you or a child were about to be killed if you didn't lie. So if you lie, the child is taught that lying is ok, in spite of what God's Word says. If you tell the truth and you are killed the child learns that God and the Truth are more important then life. If you tell the truth and the child is killed, you know they are with the Lord, and those alive have been shown how important the Truth is.
May I mention something that came to my attention now that the election is over and we're waiting on results? It kind of fits in with what you're doing as I'm showing some of the sins we believers can and do fall into during these times.
At first I was surprised at how many voted for Biden, but then I realized that the numbers we're seeing correlate with the sin we're seeing. So it's really not that surprising after all. However, many on both sides are saying the other side is lying, and cheating. Is it true for either side? It certainly would not surprise me to find out that either one or both of them are both lying and cheating, after all, they are both human the last time I checked!
What we really need to remember though is that the person that wins this election will have won because it is God's Will for him to be our president, regardless of whether or not there's been lying and cheating:
“He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:21) ““ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.’” (Daniel 4:17) Also Jeremiah 27:5–7 among others.
So there's no doubt that whoever wins, even if it's by "cheating" is declared president and takes control of the country, it will be because the Lord has put him over us.
If it does wind up being Biden, we'll have this commandment of our Lord to follow: ““Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.” (Exodus 22:28) This time I will do much better then I did when Obama was president. I'm sad to say that I didn't give him the honor the Lord commands us to give, but I will do my best to do so this time if it's Biden who wins. What convicted me was when I was studying these verses one day:
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1–2)
I realized that I'd been rebelling against what God had established by my attitude, thoughts and words about Obama. I most certainly don't want to do that again! So this time, if Biden does win, I will treat him with not only respect (which he would be due because of his office) but also with love, because that's how the Lord wants us to treat others. In fact, He not only wants us to treat them with love, He wants us to actually love them! I'll have to ask Him to help me do that, but I know He will since I'd be obeying Him.
For right now and until we learn who the winner is, both men should be treated with love and respect the way the Lord tells us to. We can still say we hope Trump wins; we just can't be obnoxious toward Biden.
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