anna
Trials
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Post by anna on Dec 20, 2020 9:41:15 GMT -5
I heard that 5.9 million doses of vaccine are scheduled to be distributed today. Yesterday I saw news from the country of England, their medical officer announced that the UK has identified a new strain of the virus that spreads more quickly than other strains, it moves fast, and is becoming the dominate strain. So I wonder, if it is mutating into other strains, is the current vaccine going to work for people or be useless?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 20, 2020 10:57:40 GMT -5
Good question Anna!
I for sure do not know. I have been wondering though, if the vaccine, might not be similar to the flu vaccine... in that it 'seems', there are more than one strain of the flu?
And so, one option is, to get a flu shot, each year.
I personally do not....I have gotten a couple of flu shots but then, some years that I don't and I still ( so far) have not gotten the flu.
And it 'seems', to me, some years, its almost like a crap shoot....
They try to guess which strain will it be for the flu this year? Sometimes, it seems like they got it right, and other years, not so much?
Cindy may not agree....she is way way more knowledgeable on medicine. But that is just how it 'seems' to me.
I am not a full on anti-vax person, but I am not exactly a super pro vaxer either.
So, it could be... if they created the vaccine for the original strain, and now it has already mutated....in an extreme way,
I suppose the vaccine they are rolling our and distributing right now, could be either, not as effective.... or as you wrote, maybe not effective at all? or maybe....it still will be effective for this new strain.
I suppose many will decide it would be better, to take the vaccine because it would be much better, than not.
I am taking a more wait and see, approach right now ( esp. about side effects). Partially because of my 'advanced age'....
But also, I have a ton of medical issues, that make me leery, of adding some flu like symptoms, for a couple of days...
On top of already having some not so pleasant breathing issues, like sleep apnea, and 2 types of lung diseases ( that are getting worse)
I guess, we will see.
I am not exactly totally surprised that this strain has mutated, I almost expected it.
However, what I wonder more about, is will we have more severe lock downs and other such restrictions as a result.
Also, Can God be trying to get people's attention?
Anyone who reads Revelation even superficially ( and several other End Times and Tribulation chapters),
knows that sometime in the future.... maybe sooner than later.....
many more such things are coming)!!
So along with our physical health, we really need to be upping our spiritual health and spreading the gospel for others....spiritual health.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 20, 2020 11:19:30 GMT -5
I probably won't be able to get thru all of the Nahum verses today, since I need to get ready for church etc.
So, I will try to look at the first few verses:
The Destruction of Nineveh
1 The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength.
2 For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches.
3 The shield of his mighty men is red; his soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots come with flashing metal on the day he musters them; the cypress spears are brandished.
4 The chariots race madly through the streets; they rush to and fro through the squares; they gleam like torches; they dart like lightning. 5 He remembers his officers; they stumble as they go, they hasten to the wall; the siege tower is set up.
Nahum 2:1-5
This is not a happy set of verses it seems to be about the Destruction of Nineveh.
However, since everything in the Bible is:
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16,17
Perhaps, we can see some parallels between our country ( and the world) and Nineveh.
The people of Nineveh seem to be a godless people, living in defiance of God, openly ( not in a closet so to speak)
And here is an interesting conundrum these verses point to God being angry!
One thing people do NOT want to hear or talk about is God's anger or wrath.
However, people feel quite free to be angry! Angry at other people, and angry at God.
But ALL they want to hear about God in today's world is about His love
( and He does love, but yes, He is angry at sin!)
Here is such a verse:
8 Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations.
Ezekiel 7:8
Have you never heard an unbeliever complain that ( especially in the OT God is an angry, wrathful God?) Apparently, they don't see all the verses in the Old Testament about His love, kindness and mercy?
But even so, can we see 'anything' in our county or the world, that might grieve God? Sins that even make Him angry?
it was not like, God did not give Nineveh time...
time to repent time to ask for mercy time to change their ways....
I think about 100 years or so passed from the time the prophet Jonah had come to Nineveh, and now ( at the time of the prophet) with the prophet Nahum.
Instead, of repenting they became worse...
Do we see anything like that in the world today?
I think God has been patient with America and the world for a very long time...
But perhaps, like was said in Nineveh Chapter one ( it may apply to us as well)
2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies. 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.
Nahum 1:2,3
Anna says the pandemic may have already mutated somehow, I would not be surprised
How many people, are looking at their lives and repenting ( due to the adversities of 2020)?
or..
Are we seeing many people doubling down, wanting 'their' ways, their sins more and more..
come 'Hell or high water'?
Do we see people taking this verse to heart?
3 “You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3
Done for Today
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txlulu
Junior Member
Posts: 131
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Post by txlulu on Dec 20, 2020 13:13:39 GMT -5
I think this "scamdemic" has been about control. They want to see how much they can control us, the lockdowns, the masks, now the vaccine. I work in home health, so I have been out and about every day. I wear a mask in patient's homes and in stores where I have to; but I will not take the vaccine.
I have wondered also if this is part of God's judgment on America. The verses about Ninevah seem to indicate that perhaps it is.
I also heard the UK has found a new strain of the virus. And I saw yesterday from several sources that a hospital near Chicago is stopping giving their workers the vaccine, four people became ill, 3 went home, 1 still hospitalized. They say it may be due to polyethylene glycol, a major component of antifreeze. A safe vaccine, I don't think so.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 21, 2020 11:45:16 GMT -5
Hi Txlulu:
I am not surprised the virus mutated, ( maybe already many times). I think, that is what the flu virus does also.
It does seem strange the amount of severe lock downs as a result tho.
And masks:
Here was an interesting article today about Rand Paul
( Rand Paul is anti-mask......but pro vaccine)
EXCLUSIVE — Rand Paul: Masks ‘Are All About Submission’
......." but there’s no value to the cloth mask, at all.
It’s like wearing your underwear. You might as well cut your underwear up and wear your underwear as protection. It doesn’t work.
www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/12/20/exclusive-rand-paul-masks-are-all-about-submission/?fbclid=IwAR1fFpdniLJ5PAIYo6-RkryzUuDbzeVSxVS79kyLCFKrFXDWSbUXGvISegY
But then, there is this about vaccines:
Doctors suggest CDC should deprioritize elderly for coronavirus vaccine:
They're 'whiter' and we should 'level the playing field'
An article in the New York Times quoted several doctors suggesting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should deprioritize distributing the coronavirus vaccine to the elderly because they are “whiter.”
"Older populations are whiter,” Dr. Harald Schmidt, a health and policy expert at the University of Pennsylvania, said. “Society is structured in a way that enables them to live longer. Instead of giving additional health benefits to those who already had more of them, we can start to level the playing field a bit."
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/doctors-suggest-cdc-deprioritize-elderly-coronavirus-vaccine-level-playing-field
I think at this point, I am going to take a wait and see attitude about the vaccine. I have taken the flu vaccine.....and not taken it I think I took it twice and not other years
I have enough breathing issues....so I too have read about some people having problems. after taking the virus shot I imagine, that always happens....
I am having a lot more lung issues ( that is what is to be expected)
so adding a potential fever, and a virus that attacks the lungs....ummmmmmm
Then too, if the doctors decide ( really?) if you are white and old.... its a no go
Well then, its already decided LOL
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Post by Cindy on Dec 21, 2020 11:52:05 GMT -5
Continuing to look at the Covid 19, Pandemic and issues, like hoarding and storing up...
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:17-21
and these verses:
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, ...
Philippians 3:7-9
One thing I notice, about these verses is: there are two types of people, and examples, shown.
One type, has their minds ( and I would say their hearts ) on earthly things, and their belly, is their god.
The other counts material things as 'rubbish' ( or as the NIV says 'garbage')
because, Jesus is infinitely more worthy.
So do we want real 'gain' and real 'profit'....
instead of loss (eternal loss) then, we want to hold on 'lightly' to material items
Yes, we need 'things' in order to live, but not nearly as much as we believe:
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:8
That is a totally shocking statement in today's world!
I am not sure, this means we should all give up living in house, and give away everything else we own!
I am pretty sure, this is mainly, about how attached we are to these things.
How devoted to material items are we, over and above, our 'love and devotion' to our Lord and Savior.
And there is this verse:
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25
I am of the opinion, that our being soooo anxious about 'things',
that we believe we have to hoard, years and years worth of all manner of material items, and protect our immense stash, with guns, locks, caves, etc.....
then, We have made 'goods' and 'things' our god.
However, if God blesses us with money and material things then it is an opportunity to be able to do good to others!
Yes, to our own family first, then, to other believers who are in need and then to anyone, in need.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10
The reason we can 'joyfully' do this is because, we are looking for and storing up..... 'real' treasure:
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
Done for Today
Well done! I think, (as you said) that this pretty much explains it all “... Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. ...” (Philippians 3:19–20) And yes, when Paul said, "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (1 Timothy 6:8) he was simply talking about being content with what we have and not constantly be trying to get more, to be "rich". Back then people could only buy what they had money for or could barter for. There was no such thing as credit. Now days Paul could say to be content with what we have and stop living beyond our means, as that's what the vast majority of people do now days.
I thought I would post this one news item
not because I think it's the 'mark',
but because it seems a little like 'conditioning' getting people to think 'marking' is a good idea...
That way, we will know who took the shot and those who did not.
But.....
Remember, the Jews had to wear a yellow star? That was not such a great idea, in fact, in my mind it was very evil!
But it was a way, to tell, some people from other people.
So this before I start the normal Bible study:
Andrew Yang Has a Really Scary Idea for Showing Proof of Coronavirus Vaccinations
Yang published an alarming tweet on Friday calling for Americans to show barcodes in order to prove they've been vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus
townhall.com/tipsheet/bronsonstocking/2020/12/18/yangs-call-for-proofofvaccination-barcodes-should-worry-all-freedom-loving-americans-n2581837
Well, back to what God says:
“The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them!
They have brought disaster upon themselves.
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.
Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. Youths oppress my people, women rule over them.
O my people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.”
(Isaiah 3:9–12)
If one wonders if perhaps this pandemic is a correction or judgment from God, These verses in Isaiah point out some things to us.
Our faces can show a lot about us. Things like pride, disdain for others we deem beneath us if we are vain, are arrogant, self-centered etc.
Even someone who is into being 'sexual free' and so they parade in their pride applauding themselves and other like minded.
Well, our country and the world have been ( in my observations) been sinning, more and more and no longer 'hiding it'.
Neither men nor woman hide their sins.
Woman have gone from having abortions to boasting and celebrating them.
And on and on the sinning goes.
God says:
( unless of course, the bold sinners and unbelievers, are someday grieved and repent and ask forgiveness being saved by Jesus)
otherwise
WOE to them!
For they have brought evil on themselves!
They are actually deserving of it. their crimes have been open and bold they have been proud and boasted of them.
And God says this:
Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you.
Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God;
the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts.
Jeremiah 2:19
is this what we are starting to see from God?
Even,,,,,,, if the righteous suffer there are eternal benefits as well, as benefits even while alive on earth.... Whatever the severity that God punishes the atrocities of the nations.
The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.
Proverbs 14:14
Oh....I had meant to say if anyone who might read this and they are not a believer
I think there are two things.... ( just for starts) you may want to consider
The absolutely anomaly of Israel becoming a nation again,
after almost 2,000 years ( predicted in the Bible)
And the 'uniqueness' of our times right now.
A pandemic that has shut down the economies of every nation ( to some extent)
But those believers in the Bible
and the predicted End Times in scriptures
are not surprised.
Anyway, back to the original verses:
Youths oppressing the people I can't help but think of the 'peaceful' ( not so much) protests we have seen
the overwhelming 'cancel culture'
the 'critical race theory'
the endless environmental push
and on and on
from the 'youth' but no only America but around the world.
In any case, youth ruling is madness because....
enthusiasm and boldness, don't always go together with, wisdom and experience! Unless, of course, they are like Timothy which is not often the case:
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
And woman, ruling over men need I really address that? We have been seeing the Woman's lib, Me too, etc. etc. movement for decades! I think it speaks for itself and started with Eve in the Garden of Eden.
All in all, could God be beginning His corrections and judgments?
Corrections and judgment,
that will perhaps soon, led to the Rapture and then, the tribulation?
Its starting to look that way to me!
Nothing about this year has been easy or a piece of cake.
But as we roll forward into the future It may look that way, in the future!
Done for Today
Wow, that was great Barbara! I really enjoyed reading it! Very interesting!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 21, 2020 12:06:04 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy....it was your suggestion :)
And I didn't really finish it yesterday so...... :)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 21, 2020 12:26:22 GMT -5
Back to Nahum prophecy against Nineveh contrasting our country and the world today and the pandemic
I don't think I will finish today but you might want to make a few more suggestions Cindy :)
6 The river gates are opened; the palace melts away;
7 its mistress is stripped; she is carried off, her slave girls lamenting, moaning like doves and beating their breasts.
8 Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry, but none turns back.
9 Plunder the silver, plunder the gold! There is no end of the treasure or of the wealth of all precious things.
Nahum 2:6-9
When Jonah preached to Nineveh approximately a hundred years previous to Nahum Nineveh repented.
That makes me think of how our country was based on Christian principles and the Bible. Sadly, Nineveh returned to her arrogance, sins, violence, pride, idolatry etc.
That too, seems to be the direction , a large part of our country has also gone .
People often think the Old Testament is so old it has nothing to do with us in the modern world. Tho we have many marvelous technologies our sin nature has not changed at all....
and so we can learn a lot from the old Testament ( as well as the New Testament)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
Therefore, be it an individual, or a nation, or the world:
Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.
Isaiah 3:11
God had been patient and long suffering with Nineveh and I think, He has been so with America... also the world.
Nevertheless, God has a right to judge and correct wicked people and nations who refuse to turn, from their sins, and to Him.
Nineveh, like our country, was a very strong country in it's day.
But now we are privy to its doom, It was set.
I do not know, if that is exactly what will happen to the USA but we know, that we are not mentioned in the Tribulation so it seems something will happen....
( and seems to be beginning with this pandemic, in so many ways).
With Niveveh, the dam gates were opened and the palace is destroyed.
It is difficult to say for sure, who the 'mistress' is the queen?
or perhaps Ishtar one of their idols, and the temple prostitutes mourn?
In any case, its not good.
Nineveh was a super power with great wealth of silver, gold, and all manner of treasures....
Nevertheless, Nineveh falls
Sort of like we are.... Rich, and THE super power
This reminds me of future worldwide nations....
(kingdom of the anti-christ)
that shall also fall
Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” Revelation 14:8
Done for Today
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txlulu
Junior Member
Posts: 131
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Post by txlulu on Dec 22, 2020 9:06:33 GMT -5
fearnot, I totally agree. our country has gone away from the Christian values of the founding fathers. It may be that judgment is coming to us.
I am really enjoying your Nahum study, it has a lot of relevance to today. Thank you for all the work you are putting into it.
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Post by Cindy on Dec 22, 2020 10:54:02 GMT -5
Back to Nahum prophecy against Nineveh contrasting our country and the world today and the pandemic
I don't think I will finish today but you might want to make a few more suggestions Cindy :)
6 The river gates are opened; the palace melts away;
7 its mistress is stripped; she is carried off, her slave girls lamenting, moaning like doves and beating their breasts.
8 Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry, but none turns back.
9 Plunder the silver, plunder the gold! There is no end of the treasure or of the wealth of all precious things.
Nahum 2:6-9
When Jonah preached to Nineveh approximately a hundred years previous to Nahum Nineveh repented.
That makes me think of how our country was based on Christian principles and the Bible. Sadly, Nineveh returned to her arrogance, sins, violence, pride, idolatry etc.
That too, seems to be the direction , a large part of our country has also gone .
People often think the Old Testament is so old it has nothing to do with us in the modern world. Tho we have many marvelous technologies our sin nature has not changed at all....
and so we can learn a lot from the old Testament ( as well as the New Testament)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
Therefore, be it an individual, or a nation, or the world:
Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.
Isaiah 3:11
God had been patient and long suffering with Nineveh and I think, He has been so with America... also the world.
Nevertheless, God has a right to judge and correct wicked people and nations who refuse to turn, from their sins, and to Him.
Nineveh, like our country, was a very strong country in it's day.
But now we are privy to its doom, It was set.
I do not know, if that is exactly what will happen to the USA but we know, that we are not mentioned in the Tribulation so it seems something will happen....
( and seems to be beginning with this pandemic, in so many ways).
With Niveveh, the dam gates were opened and the palace is destroyed.
It is difficult to say for sure, who the 'mistress' is the queen?
or perhaps Ishtar one of their idols, and the temple prostitutes mourn?
In any case, its not good.
Nineveh was a super power with great wealth of silver, gold, and all manner of treasures....
Nevertheless, Nineveh falls
Sort of like we are.... Rich, and THE super power
This reminds me of future worldwide nations....
(kingdom of the anti-christ)
that shall also fall
Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” Revelation 14:8
Done for Today
Well done! I was absolutely shocked when I first discovered that some people didn't read the Old Testament. At first I thought it was just that one person and was later shocked yet again to find out that many people didn't read it. I still can hardly believe it. I can only imagine what these people are going to say to the Lord who gave us the privilege of His Word to read, when He asks them why they didn't read and study the Old Testament. I can just imagine them saying they didn't think they needed to, and Jesus reminding them of the scripture you posted and these that tell them outright that it's important: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) And Paul when talking about the things that happened in the Old Testament said: “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11) Yeah, the Old Testament is very important! Without it, no one has all the prophecies about the tribulation, the Millennial Kingdom, or eternity! Those are all pretty important subjects I think! Not to mention that everything about our Lord is in the Old Testament!
What you said about the nation falling, also reminded me of Rome, who ruled most of the known world at that time, yet they fell with a bang! (don't get me started on how closely we are following in their path!) I think it's fairly easy to see that our nation is under judgment now. I say that because, as someone else once said, if it's not then God would have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!
You mentioned not knowing who the mistress was. That's a problem with the ESV. It's the only one that uses that term. The verse is speaking about Ninevah, the actual word in the original language is "she" - again, referring to Ninevah. None of the other 25 versions use "mistress". But the "authorized version" makes it really hard to understand; but maybe the word they used was normal back in the 1800's: AV And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. Huzzab actually means, "It is decreed", and tabering means "beating, as on a drum". ESV its mistress is stripped; she is carried off, her slave girls lamenting, moaning like doves and beating their breasts. NIV It is decreed that the city be exiled and carried away. Its slave girls moan like doves and beat upon their breasts. NASB95 It is fixed: She is stripped, she is carried away, And her handmaids are moaning like the sound of doves, Beating on their breasts. NET Nineveh is taken into exile and is led away; her slave girls moan like doves while they beat their breasts. NCV It has been announced that the people of Nineveh will be captured and carried away. The slave girls moan like doves and beat their breasts, because they are sad. NRSV It is decreed that the city be exiled, its slave women led away, moaning like doves and beating their breasts.
I imagine you'll finish with this tomorrow which leaves us with Christmas eve, and Christmas coming up. I know how busy I am, so I imagine you are too. It's up to you hon, but I'd suggest taking a vacation from posting your Bible study here until after Christmas. Obviously, still do your Bible study, (wherever the Lord leads you) but just don't post it here. That should free up some time for you I'd think. Then, after Christmas we can come back and post whatever the Lord has laid on your heart. In the mean time, I'll try and think of other ideas for you, ok? But if there's something you really want to do, please let me know!
fearnot, I totally agree. our country has gone away from the Christian values of the founding fathers. It may be that judgment is coming to us. I am really enjoying your Nahum study, it has a lot of relevance to today. Thank you for all the work you are putting into it. it's wonderful to see you txlulu! It's always nice to know who's reading along, but anytime you'd like to throw in your two cents, please feel free to do so!
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 22, 2020 11:30:20 GMT -5
Thank you sooo much Txlulu! And I totally second what Cindy said!
In fact, I am so sorry, I did not mention for you to please add your two cents!! :)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 22, 2020 11:58:00 GMT -5
So back to the last verses in Nahum Chapter 2
10 Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts melt and knees tremble; anguish is in all loins; all faces grow pale!
11 Where is the lions' den, the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion and lioness went, where his cubs were, with none to disturb?
12 The lion tore enough for his cubs and strangled prey for his lionesses; he filled his caves with prey and his dens with torn flesh.
13 Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard. Nahum 2:10-13
I personally believe judgment is coming upon the whole world during the Tribulation.
But for today, I will focus on, the similarities between Nineveh and America etc.
Both USA and Nineveh had ( well we still have)... extremely mighty military empires, with very impressive defenses, against any armed, war attacks.
What then, were a few of the sins of Nineveh? ( that we might see also in America )?
The first verse of Chapter 3 gives us a few:
Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder— no end to the prey!
Nahum 3:1
Bloody, just reminds me of all the babies that have been violently aborted
and lying, and lies
think fake news)
which also seems to be a major aspect of our country.
And verse 4, is another accusation by God, and I see this, in our country, in so many ways.
Unbelievers, like to think of it as being 'FREE' but that is not what God calls it:
And all for the countless whorings of the prostitute, graceful and of deadly charms, who betrays nations with her whorings, and peoples with her charms. Nahum 3:4
I think this verse speaks of issues, beyond our 'sexual revolution' and also refers also to a spiritual harlotry.
4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
1 Timothy 4:1
We have greatly influenced may nations we the wrong type of 'freedom'.
Perhaps we in the past, we had been, and had better models of 'true godly freedom'.
But now, today, what we have been doing is: encouraging people, in their addiction and enslavement to all types of sin:
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. John 8:34
The end result of not repenting not returning to God who loves us...
No matter how militarily strong a nation is, is: it is doomed,
When God says this:
13 Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard.
Nahum 2:13
Which reminds me of another most frightening verse in the Bible when Jesus said this:
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:23
It could be, that we cannot stop God being an 'enemy' of our nation, now the dye has been set....
( and the world )
God's patience may have run out....
That does not mean, individuals cannot still repent.
Christians have always been in a battle but many of us have become weak soldiers, because we are so entangled in this life.
4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
2 Timothy 2:4
Who is our commanding officer? and what is our great commission? How have we been doing?
I would venture to guess one of Nineveh's downfalls was: pride
I do love my country I do think it was wonderful in so many ways, But like Nineveh ( who was consumed and immersed in pride)...
countries and individuals need to constantly war against pride
Pride was Satan's downfall as well God created Satan as perhaps the greatest angel: in beauty, in talent, in strength, in intelligence etc.
But the devil's pride was his downfall and so it is, for countries and individuals.
We had the message of light and sadly many many Americans have turned away:
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5
and this
23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matthew 6:23
We as a country, may have had a greater amount of 'light', than almost any country....
The Bible, God's Word, Jesus as our Savior
But now so many have 'rejected' the light...
and I think God's patience has run out or is very near to it.
It is a terrible thing to oppose God and His Word, the results are never good!
Yet strange, as it may seem, it could be the pandemic and endless chaos...
Could be a wake up call and thus a 'blessing' from God...
to turn some people to Him and be saved.
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Dec 23, 2020 10:47:57 GMT -5
That was excellent Barbara! I especially can relate to this verse today:
“No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.” (2 Timothy 2:4) I'm afraid that too many Christians have gotten much to involved in the civilian affairs of this country, instead of remembering where their citizenship really is.
I was studying John 17 today and felt it showed me yet another truth about what's going on today. This verse really stood out for me today: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) First let me share a short except from my books: Believers are called to Christlikeness. This can only happen through knowledge of the truth, which is both the living word (Jesus -John 10:36) and written word (the Bible - John 15:3). “This is the will of God, your sanctification”. 1 Thess 4:3 A sanctified Christian is someone who's daily growing in the Word and as a result is separated more and more from the world to the Father. Through His Word He sets us apart from sin and evil, that we might glorify Him. Wiersbe’s
It's easy to see why it's so important to read the Bible and trust it as Truth. In order to obey Jesus, we must read and apply God's Word to our lives every day, not just once in a while. It's His Word that changes us and heals us from all the world's hurts. His Word is powerful for those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Those who prefer this world and don't have the Holy Spirit, will never understand God or His Word. They only think they know the truth, but instead they've accepted falsehood and are the children of the devil.
It's interesting to me that today the world itself shows the spiritual condition of the majority of the people - it's filled with fake news, and people are constantly searching for the truth and can't be sure they've found it. Instead, they all simply accept what they want to think is true as the truth, regardless of whether it really is. Reporters no longer report the news, they now report their opinions and call it news. People can't find the Truth anymore because they don't know the one who IS the truth - Jesus Christ. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) With Jesus and His Word we learn the Truth and have love and unity. Satan brings the opposite of those things to this world – lies, hate, and division. It’s sad to see our world in such bad shape, when it could have the Truth so easily.
The fact that the truth about anything today is hard to find in this country and all the others, shows that the vast majority of people don't know the Lord. Sadly this includes many who call themselves "Christians". They are among those who will hear, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:23) I'd like to end with another short except for us who are saved:
Sanctification is living God’s truth, and knowledge of that truth is found in God’s word. A sanctified Christian will be one who loves, studies, and applies God’s word. A fair test of our dedication, or sanctification, is to compare the time we spend in Bible study with the time we devote to learning this world’s news through TV and newspapers. (and politics) Remember, we Christians are required to be ‘not of this world’ (John 17:14). What does your allocation of time say? The Life of Christ
Barbara, I hope you saw my suggestions for what to do next in my previous post. God bless you hon! I will try to stop by tomorrow to at least say hello!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 23, 2020 13:05:58 GMT -5
Another Old Testament book that has parallels with Today about God's judgement, was in the book of Habakkuk
2 Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2
I can relate to the prophet wanting God to repeat his deeds, (because our God is an awesome God)!
However, even If, He ( God) should repeat some of His deeds, He has an eternity of many more to come.... However, right now, in today's world I mostly connect to, praying that God,
(in His JUST and justified wrath...)
remember His great mercy ( even now)
Back in the day, of Habakkuk Israel was going down.... The Chaldeans were going to destroy Israel.
All of chapter 2 of Habakkuk is a long list of sins.
I think we can easily see ourselves and the world in that list.... Here are just a few:
6 Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion!.....
9 “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!
12 Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice!
15 Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wine skin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!
Habakkuk 2:6,9,12,15
God has a right to punish sin and evil.
Habakkuk was initially afraid of what was coming, I think that is where a lot of people are today even unbelievers are aware, events have taken a deep downward turn Speaking of God in Chapter 3 Habakkuk says this:
4 His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.
5 Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps.
Habakkuk 3:4,5
Plagues and pestilence...that sounds familiar!
The interesting thing is Habakkuk does not pray that God will change His mind.
Habakkuk knows, God hates sin, and God's patience has run out
Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
Habakkuk 1:13
The answer to Habakkuk's questions in the above verse is God cannot tolerate it any longer!
Not for Israel, in Habakkuk's day and that is either true now, in Today's world in our day....
or it is very close.
Honestly, there is a part of me that still wants to be 'comfortable'! Have everything go back to 'normal'....
But more and more and more!!!!
I want God's way, I want God's kingdom to come!!!!!
This has become an even more wicked world than I can ever remember and like God, I am pretty done with it.
I want to be like Habakkuk, and go completely away from worry to worshiping only God!!
15 They keep saying to me, “Where is the word of the Lord?
Let it now be fulfilled!”
Jeremiah 17:15
And this:
9 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9,10
And this:
37 For, In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay
Hebrews 10:37
Lastly for today this verse
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 26, 2020 12:38:58 GMT -5
I thought the video I will post below, in a way, adds to the thoughts about this pandemic...
and life itself:
A Bible verse, I say almost daily to myself often several time a day is:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
Well, here is a video about a simple cell......
I always thought the 'theory' of evolution was:
Life somehow started with a single cell, and with ONLY, the absolute most minimal 'parts' to sustain life
And then... over millions or billions of years....
This single cell
evolved
combining with other cells etc. and thus slooooooowly over millions of years becoming more
complex
living entities.
But, if you watch this video of a single cell.....
Note: the scientist say words like:
Complex
and even
This cell is a 'universe'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would have to re-watch it but he may have even said:
Designed? Programmed
I am not sure about the last two but the first two words...
complex and universe were said
Now someone tell me again the 'fairy tale' about the 'simple' cell?
I always saw in my text books..
You know the ones that proved life did not need a 'programmer'
Because it was, you know....
so so so simple!!!!
Just a round circle and another circle inside and maybe a flagella and there you go...
Ta dah 'life'
What is even more awesome and amazing is the little guys inside this cell zooming around ...
Good grief...what is inside them?????
This is A single cell mind you...
But wait.... it IS more like a universe
This says to me.....
God is the ONLY way, this could have happened....
Because it is tooooooooo complex and it is NOT simple!!!
And even so, it does not even explain 'life'
However, this cell did NOT Just make itself!!!
Your Textbooks Are Wrong, This Is What Cells Actually Look Like
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Psalm 14:1
Those who are afraid the virus will kill them ( it 'could'..... many things could, and if Jesus does not rapture us soon...... 'something will')
But look at this single cell!
Absolutely, anything else, so complex, would tell an average person with a brain such complexity did not make itself!!!!! It needed a designer, a programmer a God...
the ONLY God.
So why ignore Him?
It is because, humans have a deadly virus inside.... one that will kill them its called the
sin virus.
Jesus said:
24 I told you that you would die in your sins;
if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
John 8:24
Jesus was, IS, and always shall be: God...
The God who can create a single cell to be so complex!
( and it is my opinion, the cell is even MORE COMPLEX,
that what the video shows.
When and IF, they create an even more powerful microscope....
It's my personal thought, We shall see that those little guys zooming around and find out they are equally also a 'universe of complexity'.)
God can take His believers to be with Him in Heaven raise us from the dead 'Create' new bodies that will last forever and so so much more!
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2
We can each do what is right concerning being safe about the virus but after that?
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 27, 2020 11:21:30 GMT -5
I am not saying, there this may not be good advise but on some level....
Perhaps, because, it 'seems' to be 'churches' once again, are being singled out....
( and not shopping, where a person, is also with lots of folks not in their household etc).
Therefore, to me it 'seems' to be targeting :
Christians and Christianity more than any other group?
L.A. County health officials: Don’t attend indoor church services no matter what judge says www.foxnews.com/us/los-angeles-county-religious-judge-says
I was reading what Franklin Graham had to say:
Rev. Franklin Graham: ‘Pray God’ Spares the Nation ‘from the Evil Before Us’
"The Christian leader also noted that while there is hope in new vaccines to combat the infection caused by the coronavirus, still “there isn’t a vaccine on Earth that can protect us from worry, depression, or fear.”
The only way to heal a “sick spirit,” Graham said, is “to find healing for deep, spiritual needs, and that’s in Jesus Christ
www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/12/25/rev-franklin-graham-pray-god-spares-the-nation-from-the-evil-before-us/?fbclid=IwAR3gnT8mw7g8cJegWLHH1NMylalBflmTIlKhPLGo1in3Zdbkj_zQtnvlPM4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
But I found this solution in other countries fascinating!!!!!!!!
What global churches did when their governments said they couldn’t have large gatherings
‘You can’t have more than 10 gather,’ they’ll say we’ll just have the church open 24 hours seven days a week so we’ll have groups of 10 come through throughout the days and nights,” Allen said.
“It wasn’t an option for them to not gather. And the passion that these believers have for their faith where they know [when] they decide to become a follower of Jesus Christ that they are putting their lives on the line.
about 850 churches were under construction when the pandemic hit in March ( and thus they also could NOT have a big crew working.... sooooooo)
“They would just have four, five people working on the construction.
They’d work a shift and then they’d have another shift come in and then another shift come in so the work, really in terms of the construction side, did not slow down which has been remarkable,” Allen noted.
“We believe that is the first and foremost thing that we need to be doing, [to] be praying for the churches we work with, the partners we work with,
because we are very aware that it is spiritual warfare.
In many of the places we are working it is extremely difficult to be a believer. And it is so important that we be covering them in prayer,” Allen said.
www.christianpost.com/news/how-global-churches-responded-to-restrictions-on-large-gatherings.html
It appears to me, that many Christians in other parts of the world, truly put Jesus first in their lives. I think a lot of pastors in our country might not be willing to keep their church open 24 hours 7 days every week!
But another thing this article mentioned...
Was that many ( most) believers and non believers in these counties,
were literally starving to death!
But the very same Christians would not only keep the churches open 24/7.....
They would find some menial part time job so they could buy food......
for just one day
( because......that is all they would be paid for)
and then, go door to door and share what they had!!!
I noted also in that article, she said there was:
spiritual warfare' , and I think that is certainly true!
I think the pandemic is both a correction/judgment from God on unbelievers and also, at the same time, spiritual warfare on Christians.
Speaking of church I have to get ready so
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Dec 28, 2020 10:53:39 GMT -5
Another Old Testament book that has parallels with Today about God's judgement, was in the book of Habakkuk
2 Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2
I can relate to the prophet wanting God to repeat his deeds, (because our God is an awesome God)!
However, even If, He ( God) should repeat some of His deeds, He has an eternity of many more to come.... However, right now, in today's world I mostly connect to, praying that God,
(in His JUST and justified wrath...)
remember His great mercy ( even now)
Back in the day, of Habakkuk Israel was going down.... The Chaldeans were going to destroy Israel.
All of chapter 2 of Habakkuk is a long list of sins.
I think we can easily see ourselves and the world in that list.... Here are just a few:
6 Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion!.....
9 “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!
12 Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice!
15 Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wine skin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!
Habakkuk 2:6,9,12,15
God has a right to punish sin and evil.
Habakkuk was initially afraid of what was coming, I think that is where a lot of people are today even unbelievers are aware, events have taken a deep downward turn Speaking of God in Chapter 3 Habakkuk says this:
4 His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.
5 Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps.
Habakkuk 3:4,5
Plagues and pestilence...that sounds familiar!
The interesting thing is Habakkuk does not pray that God will change His mind.
Habakkuk knows, God hates sin, and God's patience has run out
Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
Habakkuk 1:13
The answer to Habakkuk's questions in the above verse is God cannot tolerate it any longer!
Not for Israel, in Habakkuk's day and that is either true now, in Today's world in our day....
or it is very close.
Honestly, there is a part of me that still wants to be 'comfortable'! Have everything go back to 'normal'....
But more and more and more!!!!
I want God's way, I want God's kingdom to come!!!!!
This has become an even more wicked world than I can ever remember and like God, I am pretty done with it.
I want to be like Habakkuk, and go completely away from worry to worshiping only God!!
15 They keep saying to me, “Where is the word of the Lord?
Let it now be fulfilled!”
Jeremiah 17:15
And this:
9 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9,10
And this:
37 For, In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay
Hebrews 10:37
Lastly for today this verse
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Done for Today
I too have had enough of this world and am looking more and more for the next one, where we won't ever sin again or even consider it and we'll never have to deal with anyone else sinning either. (well, we will toward the end of the Millennial Kingdom, but that's ok because we won't be living there, we'll have our glorified bodies and be living in New Jerusalem which will be floating above the earth during that time.)
I thought the video I will post below, in a way, adds to the thoughts about this pandemic...
and life itself:
A Bible verse, I say almost daily to myself often several time a day is:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
Well, here is a video about a simple cell......
I always thought the 'theory' of evolution was:
Life somehow started with a single cell, and with ONLY, the absolute most minimal 'parts' to sustain life
And then... over millions or billions of years....
This single cell
evolved
combining with other cells etc. and thus slooooooowly over millions of years becoming more
complex
living entities.
But, if you watch this video of a single cell.....
Note: the scientist say words like:
Complex
and even
This cell is a 'universe'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would have to re-watch it but he may have even said:
Designed? Programmed
I am not sure about the last two but the first two words...
complex and universe were said
Now someone tell me again the 'fairy tale' about the 'simple' cell?
I always saw in my text books..
You know the ones that proved life did not need a 'programmer'
Because it was, you know....
so so so simple!!!!
Just a round circle and another circle inside and maybe a flagella and there you go...
Ta dah 'life'
What is even more awesome and amazing is the little guys inside this cell zooming around ...
Good grief...what is inside them?????
This is A single cell mind you...
But wait.... it IS more like a universe
This says to me.....
God is the ONLY way, this could have happened....
Because it is tooooooooo complex and it is NOT simple!!!
And even so, it does not even explain 'life'
However, this cell did NOT Just make itself!!!
Your Textbooks Are Wrong, This Is What Cells Actually Look Like
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Psalm 14:1
Those who are afraid the virus will kill them ( it 'could'..... many things could, and if Jesus does not rapture us soon...... 'something will')
But look at this single cell!
Absolutely, anything else, so complex, would tell an average person with a brain such complexity did not make itself!!!!! It needed a designer, a programmer a God...
the ONLY God.
So why ignore Him?
It is because, humans have a deadly virus inside.... one that will kill them its called the
sin virus.
Jesus said:
24 I told you that you would die in your sins;
if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
John 8:24
Jesus was, IS, and always shall be: God...
The God who can create a single cell to be so complex!
( and it is my opinion, the cell is even MORE COMPLEX,
that what the video shows.
When and IF, they create an even more powerful microscope....
It's my personal thought, We shall see that those little guys zooming around and find out they are equally also a 'universe of complexity'.)
God can take His believers to be with Him in Heaven raise us from the dead 'Create' new bodies that will last forever and so so much more!
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2
We can each do what is right concerning being safe about the virus but after that?
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27
Done for Today
Praise God! What a great post! thanks so much Barbara!
I am not saying, there this may not be good advise but on some level....
Perhaps, because, it 'seems' to be 'churches' once again, are being singled out....
( and not shopping, where a person, is also with lots of folks not in their household etc).
Therefore, to me it 'seems' to be targeting :
Christians and Christianity more than any other group?
L.A. County health officials: Don’t attend indoor church services no matter what judge says www.foxnews.com/us/los-angeles-county-religious-judge-says
I was reading what Franklin Graham had to say:
Rev. Franklin Graham: ‘Pray God’ Spares the Nation ‘from the Evil Before Us’
"The Christian leader also noted that while there is hope in new vaccines to combat the infection caused by the coronavirus, still “there isn’t a vaccine on Earth that can protect us from worry, depression, or fear.”
The only way to heal a “sick spirit,” Graham said, is “to find healing for deep, spiritual needs, and that’s in Jesus Christ
www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/12/25/rev-franklin-graham-pray-god-spares-the-nation-from-the-evil-before-us/?fbclid=IwAR3gnT8mw7g8cJegWLHH1NMylalBflmTIlKhPLGo1in3Zdbkj_zQtnvlPM4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
But I found this solution in other countries fascinating!!!!!!!!
What global churches did when their governments said they couldn’t have large gatherings
‘You can’t have more than 10 gather,’ they’ll say we’ll just have the church open 24 hours seven days a week so we’ll have groups of 10 come through throughout the days and nights,” Allen said.
“It wasn’t an option for them to not gather. And the passion that these believers have for their faith where they know [when] they decide to become a follower of Jesus Christ that they are putting their lives on the line.
about 850 churches were under construction when the pandemic hit in March ( and thus they also could NOT have a big crew working.... sooooooo)
“They would just have four, five people working on the construction.
They’d work a shift and then they’d have another shift come in and then another shift come in so the work, really in terms of the construction side, did not slow down which has been remarkable,” Allen noted.
“We believe that is the first and foremost thing that we need to be doing, [to] be praying for the churches we work with, the partners we work with,
because we are very aware that it is spiritual warfare.
In many of the places we are working it is extremely difficult to be a believer. And it is so important that we be covering them in prayer,” Allen said.
www.christianpost.com/news/how-global-churches-responded-to-restrictions-on-large-gatherings.html
It appears to me, that many Christians in other parts of the world, truly put Jesus first in their lives. I think a lot of pastors in our country might not be willing to keep their church open 24 hours 7 days every week!
But another thing this article mentioned...
Was that many ( most) believers and non believers in these counties,
were literally starving to death!
But the very same Christians would not only keep the churches open 24/7.....
They would find some menial part time job so they could buy food......
for just one day
( because......that is all they would be paid for)
and then, go door to door and share what they had!!!
I noted also in that article, she said there was:
spiritual warfare' , and I think that is certainly true!
I think the pandemic is both a correction/judgment from God on unbelievers and also, at the same time, spiritual warfare on Christians.
Speaking of church I have to get ready so
Done for today
That really is amazing! I loved reading it!
I'm anxious to hear what MacArthur will say about why the governments are doing all this to us. I'm pretty sure I know what he will say, but I want to hear it from him lol
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 28, 2020 12:55:44 GMT -5
Just a few headlines to show how dark the world is becoming, there is not only the pandemic and crazy election but also,
I believe, there is a very strong hatred of Christianity and Christians and a fierce movement to silence Christians, Christianity, the Bible, God's Word, forever.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
John 15:18
When a person reads God's word,
their reaction to God's pointing out sin, Can either result in:
peace, hope, joy, love etc. especially when one understand forgiveness and salvation, is also there in His Word.
21 For our sake he ( God the Father) made him ( Jesus, God the Son) to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in him ( Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21
or people can respond with: hatred, anger, rage, bitterness, fury, violence, indignation, wrath etc.
Guardian journalist claims Christian forgiveness and redemption are ‘code for conversion therapy’ www.christian.org.uk/news/guardian-journalist-claims-christian-forgiveness-and-redemption-are-code-for-conversion-therapy/
It's not hard to see where this is going..... to deem the Bible as 'hate speech'.
One of the reasons I have drifted off topic a bit today is because of so many of these headlines and people actually wanting to enact laws making the Bible, 'hate speech'...
and why Christians need to double down now while they still can, getting the gospel and scripture out, into the world.
as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
Romans 3:10
And there is this:
Church of England Lesbian Activist Lashes out at Conservatives likening their views to Holocaust deniers and Rapists
She said that churches or individuals that engage in prayer, private conversation and teaching which does not affirm homosexual or transgender lifestyles
"should be held to account and face the full force of the law".
It is profoundly ironic that the Living in Love and Faith argues in a number of places that we must not demean the views or the persons with whom we disagree.
Ozanne has done precisely that.
Earlier this year, the Ozanne Trust wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to legislate to prevent transgender people who regret changing sex from getting help to detransition.
The pansexual steam roller will brook no opposition. None.
virtueonline.org/church-england-lesbian-activist-lashes-out-conservatives-likening-their-views-holocaust-deniers-and
There has always been nay sayers trying to rid the World of God and His word the Bible
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
Proverbs 19:5
And so there is this:
BBC CHASTISED FOR DESCRIBING JESUS AS DARK SKINNED PALESTINIAN
“The identity and color of Jesus – and why it matters – has taken on a new significance in this year of protest and change,” the presenter, Robert Beckford, described as “one of the UK’s prominent black theologians”, stated.
The statement is incredibly anachronistic as there has never existed a political entity called Palestine
and at the time Jesus lived, Bethlehem where he was born and Nazareth where he lived were parts of Israel.
As such, both of Jesus’ earthly parents were Jewish.
www.israel365news.com/163062/bbc-chastised-for-describing-jesus-as-dark-skinned-palestinian/
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—
Ephesians 2:5
While Christians still can they should tell the truth in love
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Ephesians 4:15
and with gentleness and respect
5 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
Yet do it with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15
Would it be wrong, (and more to the point be hate speech)
to let a person know the bridge they are building will collapse
or the fire they are building near a forest will set the whole forest on fire
Or that to drive while falling down drunk may kill them and others in a terrible car accident?
etc. etc. etc.
That would NOT be hateful, rather out of love, telling the truth, to save lives.
And so is all of God's word.... the Bible, written to us in love, to save us.
Nevertheless, it looks like to me, like there are forces at work ( with the devil's influence behind them),
preparing to make God's word 'hate speech' and illegal perhaps, in the not toooo distant future
So I think it would be good for Christians to store up as much of God's word , by reading, studying and memorizing the Bible... as much as they can.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
Done for today.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 29, 2020 11:13:16 GMT -5
I am finding the pandemic to be more confusing as time goes by:
Here are some headlines for today:
Rubio says Fauci 'lied' about coronavirus mask guidance in March, as criticism of health official builds
Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday accused top U.S. epidemiologist Anthony Fauci of lying about the efficacy of masks and misrepresenting information about the number of people who must be vaccinated in order for the U.S. to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.
"When you can't just 'trust the science' because the scientists keep lying to you and then saying,
'oh, that was just a noble lie, sorry about that,'" Ross Douthat, New York Times columnist, said of his paper's reporting.
www.foxnews.com/politics/rubio-says-fauci-lied-about-coronavirus-mask-guidance-in-march-as-criticism-of-health-official-builds
And also
Rand Paul Ridicules Mask-Wearing as 'All About Submission' to Government
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said "no science" is able to corroborate mask mandates across the country, warning Americans that "submission" is the real aim of public health officials.
The Republican senator on Saturday reiterated remarks he made to Fox Business Thursday that "there's no science to keeping schools closed, and there's actually no good science to keeping restaurants closed, in fact there's no good science that anything we've done has changed the trajectory" of the pandemic.
www.newsweek.com/rand-paul-ridicules-mask-wearing-all-about-submission-government-1556237?fbclid=IwAR2JWR4kz-FKTTVvRL9JakzF4KbEqxE_vRAC-4_gIW7zFBNNgu74Cz6pMQg
And on and on it goes... which makes me think... I absolutely need to be more and more like the Apostle Paul:
2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2
Which brings me back to the Word of God the Bible and how differently people react especially as the world grows darker.
Jesus told a parable about the Word of God and used seeds as a symbol for the Word
The Parable of the Sower
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.
4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.
7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty
Matthew 13:3-8
God's Word, the Bible, greatly blesses some people and greatly offends other people.
Notice there was nothing wrong with the 'seed' in the parable... it was choked by the ground it fell on.
God's Word is perfect, but people as sinners have no good ground in them.
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Romans 3:10,11
Some people are offended immediately because all they read or hear is 'condemnation' of their sin..... instead of loving correction.
6 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
Do you think the people began to wonder about the birds? The birds, in Jesus parable were waiting to gobble up the seeds,
so the seeds, never had a chance and did not nor will not grow.
Could they be a symbol also?
Maybe of the secular unbelieving world or
even demons wishing to keep people from being saved?
Well actually, Jesus tells us:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one ( Satan, the devil) comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.
Matthew 13:19
These were ( and are0 people who hate the gospel message anyway.
When Satan steals it away, it's gone!
Often pride, sin, arrogance, stubbornness etc. go hand in hand with the loss of the precious eternal life giving seed.
Anyway,
There are other people who at first see it as 'profitable' as in health and wealth, ways to connect and promote their business, or politics and so they are happy to become a part of the Christian community etc.
Satan seems to find this one of his best false gospel ploys.
However when a little bit of trouble come along those folks leave, because they had no real depth or love for God.... just for their own self interests.
he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
Matthew 13:21
I am wondering if with all the craziness going on in the world today if we won't begin to see these verses work out way more clearly in people?
I will continue Tomorrow unless you wish to go onto something else?
Only slept an hour and am very achy Done for today
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txlulu
Junior Member
Posts: 131
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Post by txlulu on Dec 29, 2020 11:26:11 GMT -5
Thanks again for such good information and study. I totally agree with you on this: "Nevertheless, it looks like to me,
like
there are forces at work
( with the devil's influence behind them),
preparing to make
God's word 'hate speech'
and illegal
perhaps, in the not toooo distant future
So I think it would be good
for Christians to store up as much of God's word ,
by reading, studying and memorizing
the Bible...
as much as they can.
I have stored up your word
in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 "
That's what we all need to be doing, the day may soon come when Bibles will be confiscated and burned as "hate speech". The evil one is hard at work, knowing that his time is short.
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Post by Cindy on Dec 29, 2020 11:48:09 GMT -5
Just a few headlines to show how dark the world is becoming, there is not only the pandemic and crazy election but also,
I believe, there is a very strong hatred of Christianity and Christians and a fierce movement to silence Christians, Christianity, the Bible, God's Word, forever.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
John 15:18
When a person reads God's word,
their reaction to God's pointing out sin, Can either result in:
peace, hope, joy, love etc. especially when one understand forgiveness and salvation, is also there in His Word.
21 For our sake he ( God the Father) made him ( Jesus, God the Son) to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in him ( Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21
or people can respond with: hatred, anger, rage, bitterness, fury, violence, indignation, wrath etc.
Guardian journalist claims Christian forgiveness and redemption are ‘code for conversion therapy’ www.christian.org.uk/news/guardian-journalist-claims-christian-forgiveness-and-redemption-are-code-for-conversion-therapy/
It's not hard to see where this is going..... to deem the Bible as 'hate speech'.
One of the reasons I have drifted off topic a bit today is because of so many of these headlines and people actually wanting to enact laws making the Bible, 'hate speech'...
and why Christians need to double down now while they still can, getting the gospel and scripture out, into the world.
as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
Romans 3:10
And there is this:
Church of England Lesbian Activist Lashes out at Conservatives likening their views to Holocaust deniers and Rapists
She said that churches or individuals that engage in prayer, private conversation and teaching which does not affirm homosexual or transgender lifestyles
"should be held to account and face the full force of the law".
It is profoundly ironic that the Living in Love and Faith argues in a number of places that we must not demean the views or the persons with whom we disagree.
Ozanne has done precisely that.
Earlier this year, the Ozanne Trust wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to legislate to prevent transgender people who regret changing sex from getting help to detransition.
The pansexual steam roller will brook no opposition. None.
virtueonline.org/church-england-lesbian-activist-lashes-out-conservatives-likening-their-views-holocaust-deniers-and
There has always been nay sayers trying to rid the World of God and His word the Bible
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
Proverbs 19:5
And so there is this:
BBC CHASTISED FOR DESCRIBING JESUS AS DARK SKINNED PALESTINIAN
“The identity and color of Jesus – and why it matters – has taken on a new significance in this year of protest and change,” the presenter, Robert Beckford, described as “one of the UK’s prominent black theologians”, stated.
The statement is incredibly anachronistic as there has never existed a political entity called Palestine
and at the time Jesus lived, Bethlehem where he was born and Nazareth where he lived were parts of Israel.
As such, both of Jesus’ earthly parents were Jewish.
www.israel365news.com/163062/bbc-chastised-for-describing-jesus-as-dark-skinned-palestinian/
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—
Ephesians 2:5
While Christians still can they should tell the truth in love
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Ephesians 4:15
and with gentleness and respect
5 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
Yet do it with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15
Would it be wrong, (and more to the point be hate speech)
to let a person know the bridge they are building will collapse
or the fire they are building near a forest will set the whole forest on fire
Or that to drive while falling down drunk may kill them and others in a terrible car accident?
etc. etc. etc.
That would NOT be hateful, rather out of love, telling the truth, to save lives.
And so is all of God's word.... the Bible, written to us in love, to save us.
Nevertheless, it looks like to me, like there are forces at work ( with the devil's influence behind them),
preparing to make God's word 'hate speech' and illegal perhaps, in the not toooo distant future
So I think it would be good for Christians to store up as much of God's word , by reading, studying and memorizing the Bible... as much as they can.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
Done for today.
Yes, the world is getting worse and worse and that's the way it always is, because that's what sin does to individuals and groups, and towns and countries. When a person sins, it doesn't just hurt them, it hurts everyone around them. Sin spreads, just like an infectious disease. Sin is far worse the covid will ever be. Sin defiles everyone and everything it touches. When people confess and repent of their sin and Jesus forgives them, that sin doesn't just vanish into thin air. It's still here on the earth, harming all the people it touched before the person repented, and all of those people who have been infected with it, are also continuing to spread that sin to all who come in contact with them. Unlike a disease like covid though, sin can even be spread via the internet. You don't have to be anywhere near a person to infect them with your sin. As Sin spreads, it grows. Just like back in the beginning when sin grew from just two people, Adam and Eve, to eventually infecting the entire world, to the point where every single thought every person (except for 8) had was sinful! That's what we're seeing today. With each passing hour sin is spreading and growing and will continue to until Jesus returns and destroys all who have chosen to hate Him and His Word.
I am finding the pandemic to be more confusing as time goes by:
Here are some headlines for today:
I know you're not done with this yet so I didn't even quote what I could see, but just the start of it, because it concerns me when I hear that things are getting confusing. Confusion is caused by Satan and his children. When we get confused we need to turn to the only place where we can find the truth, God's Word. No, we won't necessarily discover all the answers to today's headlines, but we can discover that they really don't matter. They don't matter because the people and events spoken of are not in control. God is. And we can find out what God is doing in His Word. That's really all the matters. Satan and his children want to sow confusion and fear among everyone. But the Lord gives us Truth, and peace and love. Which one we feel is determined by which one we spend the most time in. (I know you're aware of all that Barbara, but I wanted to say it for anyone reading who may not be aware of it.)
Plus, I think it's high time we got well away from this. To be honest, I really don't want to see or hear about anymore of the "headlines". I've read more since we've done this study then I've read in many years lol. So let's please get away from them, as they aren't exactly health food for our souls! If you still want to write about the pandemic them let's stick to what the Bible says is happening and why, ok?
Other things we could study are: Death, what happens after it, and what Jesus means in John 11:25. etc,
Heaven: immediately after death, and after eternity starts, and the difference between the two
the Millennial kingdom, (which could also include heaven after death and after eternity starts and the difference, etc.)
Hell, and the Lake of fire, and the difference and what is waiting for those who will go there.
Love (which includes forgiveness) which is how Jesus says others will know we belong to Him; what does it look like, etc.
Those are the things that are just at the top of my mind, but you're welcome to pick something else that you've thought of too.
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Post by Cindy on Dec 29, 2020 11:50:33 GMT -5
Thanks again for such good information and study. I totally agree with you on this: "Nevertheless, it looks like to me, like there are forces at work ( with the devil's influence behind them), preparing to make God's word 'hate speech' and illegal perhaps, in the not toooo distant future So I think it would be good for Christians to store up as much of God's word , by reading, studying and memorizing the Bible... as much as they can. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 " That's what we all need to be doing, the day may soon come when Bibles will be confiscated and burned as "hate speech". The evil one is hard at work, knowing that his time is short. Amen! It's also a very good opportunity to remember that it's the job of the Holy Spirit to bring to our mind the scriptures we need. So while we should definitely memorize as much as possible, we need not fear because we can't memorize it all. Instead we can simply know that what we haven't memorized the Holy Spirit can and will bring to our minds if and when we need it.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 29, 2020 19:05:47 GMT -5
I actually had finished today's topic and at the end of the post
Because I didn't know if I should continue with the parable of the sower or not
So I did ask you ( it's also at the bottom of this post)
I will continue Tomorrow unless you wish to go onto something else?
Soooooo thank you so much for giving a nice new list to work on!!!! :) You are sooooooo amazing at being able to come up with such interesting topics I am so thankful you have that skill!
So, I guess I will not finish the parable of the sower then
but anyway Here is what I did write for today: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am finding the pandemic to be more confusing as time goes by:
Here are some headlines for today:
Rubio says Fauci 'lied' about coronavirus mask guidance in March, as criticism of health official builds
Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday accused top U.S. epidemiologist Anthony Fauci of lying about the efficacy of masks and misrepresenting information about the number of people who must be vaccinated in order for the U.S. to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.
"When you can't just 'trust the science' because the scientists keep lying to you and then saying,
'oh, that was just a noble lie, sorry about that,'" Ross Douthat, New York Times columnist, said of his paper's reporting.
www.foxnews.com/politics/rubio-says-fauci-lied-about-coronavirus-mask-guidance-in-march-as-criticism-of-health-official-builds
And also
Rand Paul Ridicules Mask-Wearing as 'All About Submission' to Government
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said "no science" is able to corroborate mask mandates across the country, warning Americans that "submission" is the real aim of public health officials.
The Republican senator on Saturday reiterated remarks he made to Fox Business Thursday that "there's no science to keeping schools closed, and there's actually no good science to keeping restaurants closed, in fact there's no good science that anything we've done has changed the trajectory" of the pandemic.
www.newsweek.com/rand-paul-ridicules-mask-wearing-all-about-submission-government-1556237?fbclid=IwAR2JWR4kz-FKTTVvRL9JakzF4KbEqxE_vRAC-4_gIW7zFBNNgu74Cz6pMQg
And on and on it goes... which makes me think... I absolutely need to be more and more like the Apostle Paul:
2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2
Which brings me back to the Word of God the Bible and how differently people react especially as the world grows darker.
Jesus told a parable about the Word of God and used seeds as a symbol for the Word
The Parable of the Sower
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.
4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.
7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty
Matthew 13:3-8
God's Word, the Bible, greatly blesses some people and greatly offends other people.
Notice there was nothing wrong with the 'seed' in the parable... it was choked by the ground it fell on.
God's Word is perfect, but people as sinners have no good ground in them.
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Romans 3:10,11
Some people are offended immediately because all they read or hear is 'condemnation' of their sin..... instead of loving correction.
6 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
Do you think the people began to wonder about the birds? The birds, in Jesus parable were waiting to gobble up the seeds,
so the seeds, never had a chance and did not nor will not grow.
Could they be a symbol also?
Maybe of the secular unbelieving world or
even demons wishing to keep people from being saved?
Well actually, Jesus tells us:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one ( Satan, the devil) comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.
Matthew 13:19
These were ( and are0 people who hate the gospel message anyway.
When Satan steals it away, it's gone!
Often pride, sin, arrogance, stubbornness etc. go hand in hand with the loss of the precious eternal life giving seed.
Anyway,
There are other people who at first see it as 'profitable' as in health and wealth, ways to connect and promote their business, or politics and so they are happy to become a part of the Christian community etc.
Satan seems to find this one of his best false gospel ploys.
However when a little bit of trouble come along those folks leave, because they had no real depth or love for God.... just for their own self interests.
he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
Matthew 13:21
I am wondering if with all the craziness going on in the world today if we won't begin to see these verses work out way more clearly in people?
I will continue Tomorrow unless you wish to go onto something else?
Only slept an hour and am very achy Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Dec 30, 2020 10:56:46 GMT -5
I'll reply inside your post this time hon.
I actually had finished today's topic and at the end of the post
Because I didn't know if I should continue with the parable of the sower or not
So I did ask you ( it's also at the bottom of this post)
Of course you can finish what you started!
I will continue Tomorrow unless you wish to go onto something else?
Soooooo thank you so much for giving a nice new list to work on!!!! :) You are sooooooo amazing at being able to come up with such interesting topics I am so thankful you have that skill!
So, I guess I will not finish the parable of the sower then
but anyway Here is what I did write for today:
I don't understand why you won't finish what you started... I would never stop you from doing that.... unless of course you just don't want to finish it... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am finding the pandemic to be more confusing as time goes by:
Here are some headlines for today:
Rubio says Fauci 'lied' about coronavirus mask guidance in March, as criticism of health official builds
Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday accused top U.S. epidemiologist Anthony Fauci of lying about the efficacy of masks and misrepresenting information about the number of people who must be vaccinated in order for the U.S. to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.
"When you can't just 'trust the science' because the scientists keep lying to you and then saying,
'oh, that was just a noble lie, sorry about that,'" Ross Douthat, New York Times columnist, said of his paper's reporting.
www.foxnews.com/politics/rubio-says-fauci-lied-about-coronavirus-mask-guidance-in-march-as-criticism-of-health-official-builds
And also
Rand Paul Ridicules Mask-Wearing as 'All About Submission' to Government
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said "no science" is able to corroborate mask mandates across the country, warning Americans that "submission" is the real aim of public health officials.
The Republican senator on Saturday reiterated remarks he made to Fox Business Thursday that "there's no science to keeping schools closed, and there's actually no good science to keeping restaurants closed, in fact there's no good science that anything we've done has changed the trajectory" of the pandemic.
www.newsweek.com/rand-paul-ridicules-mask-wearing-all-about-submission-government-1556237?fbclid=IwAR2JWR4kz-FKTTVvRL9JakzF4KbEqxE_vRAC-4_gIW7zFBNNgu74Cz6pMQg
And on and on it goes... which makes me think... I absolutely need to be more and more like the Apostle Paul:
2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2
Which brings me back to the Word of God the Bible and how differently people react especially as the world grows darker.
Jesus told a parable about the Word of God and used seeds as a symbol for the Word
The Parable of the Sower
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.
4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.
7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty
Matthew 13:3-8
God's Word, the Bible, greatly blesses some people and greatly offends other people.
Notice there was nothing wrong with the 'seed' in the parable... it was choked by the ground it fell on.
God's Word is perfect, but people as sinners have no good ground in them.
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Romans 3:10,11
Some people are offended immediately because all they read or hear is 'condemnation' of their sin..... instead of loving correction.
Can I insert a thought here? I think part of the reason people don't like correction is because the schools have been teaching children that correction is wrong. They pass children to the next grade even though they can't do the work, because they don't want to hurt their little egos. They bend over backwards to give the children everything whether they've earned it or not. Now, often when children are part of a team playing a sport, there is no longer win or lose, both sides "win"! How crazy is that? Many schools no longer grade by A's B's, etc or by 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100% etc. Instead the kids just get a "pass" and they ALL get that no matter what, even if they don't do the work! So by the time these kids are grown, they've rarely experienced someone correcting them, and so they become quite defensive. Satan really did a job on the kids with this, that's for sure!
6 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
Do you think the people began to wonder about the birds? The birds, in Jesus parable were waiting to gobble up the seeds,
so the seeds, never had a chance and did not nor will not grow.
Could they be a symbol also?
Maybe of the secular unbelieving world or
even demons wishing to keep people from being saved?
Well actually, Jesus tells us:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one ( Satan, the devil) comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.
Matthew 13:19
These were ( and are0 people who hate the gospel message anyway.
When Satan steals it away, it's gone!
Often pride, sin, arrogance, stubbornness etc. go hand in hand with the loss of the precious eternal life giving seed.
Anyway,
There are other people who at first see it as 'profitable' as in health and wealth, ways to connect and promote their business, or politics and so they are happy to become a part of the Christian community etc.
Satan seems to find this one of his best false gospel ploys.
However when a little bit of trouble come along those folks leave, because they had no real depth or love for God.... just for their own self interests.
he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
Matthew 13:21
I am wondering if with all the craziness going on in the world today if we won't begin to see these verses work out way more clearly in people?
I will continue Tomorrow unless you wish to go onto something else?
Only slept an hour and am very achy Done for today
Wow, for only an hours sleep you did fantastic today! Of course you can finish what you started!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 30, 2020 12:18:19 GMT -5
Well okey dokey I will finish it :)
Oh wow! You are 100% correct about what you said about kids today and school!
Vanessa and Devon got straight A's
But Brian's ( our daughter's fiancee's) 2 children,
Neither child has any type of 'learning disability' And are probably 'slightly above average'
Nevertheless Rylan ( the youngest of the 4 kids) managed to get straight F's!!!!
Now I never knew anyone ever to manage that!!!
I knew of some kids waaaay back when I was in school that got D's and F's
But all F's?? That has got to be a record of some sort?
And that is a major accomplishment.....
NOT!!!
But.... he is truly addicted to video games.
His sister Aaliyah managed one A maybe a B some C's and 2 F's
However, by their own words
They just don't 'want' to
The mother of those two kiddos when she was raising them, (and not Brian)
Decided Rylan had ADD
I suppose.... maybe..... to an extent? He IS a super physically active sort of child also...
But no....
I don't buy it!
I think it's become a 'nice' excuse...
and believe me, he is smart enough to use it, as an excuse I 'can't' because I have ADD!!!
Funny, his ADD doesn't seem to work when spending the whole entire day or week or month or year or years..... focused totally, entirely with a laser focus on video gaming! No attention disorder showing up then!!!
Yes, I think he needs someone with a big ruler to smack his hands in school!
They really used to do that actually back in the day!
I guess, he might maybe perhaps....
He Could be a child who needs to have perhaps have classes focused on 'making things' and 'doing things' like carpentry or plumbing etc. etc. etc.
But yeah..... Straight F's and
they are just going to pass him!!!!
So what has he learned????
He has learned can get away with just playing video games when he is 'supposed' to be on zoom in a virtual class!
he has learned he can 'use' ADD as an excuse ( because it absolutely does not show up when he can spend hour after hour with supreme focus on video games!!!
And, it 'really' does not matter because..... he will get to move right along doing nothing....
This is middle school where one is supposed to be getting basic foundations I thought?
Anyway, I did not sleep well last night either So we shall see I am again falling asleep every few minutes arrrggghhhh
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 30, 2020 13:35:58 GMT -5
So back to Matthew 13 and the parable of the soils and the sower etc.
4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.
7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13:4-8
I was going to mention another aspect of the rocky soil:
For example the 'prosperity' gospel folks:
They are often focused on the idea 'God want to: bless you'
While ignoring that, God want you to grow.....
and thus, in their intention and focus, to get 'rich' quick....
Often means, They don't feel the need to 'count the cost' of being a Christian
Because, after all..... God is all about making you rich.....
like King Solomon!
( By the way, did they not notice, Solomon ended very poorly)?
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Luke 14:28
However, it often happens that, because the soil is 'rocky' the seed will go down, easily into the rocks, and with some water and warm pleasant sun....
The plant will grow..... but...... as soon as it gets too 'hot' and they discover there can be an unpleasant or hard or even a deadly aspect to be a Christian
The 'plant' withers and dies.... and they leave Christianity and being a so called 'Christian' because they really were not rooted and grounded in the Word and love of Christ.
They were not really committed to Jesus.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
16 that according to the riches of 'his' glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith— that you,
being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:14,16-17
Then there is this type of soil:
7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Matthew 13:7
This kind of soil could have a deceptive intention of deliberately causing hurt, pain, and damage.
The thorns are strong, so the little seedlings can't fight against such power.... and it chokes the good seed, until it dies.
Well so far, the farmer planting seeds does not seem to be having much success! However, that is not the end of the parable! There is also good soil. it produces varying degrees of crops... but even 30 times ( the least amount) of crop sown, was a LOT!
And Jesus give an explanation to the parable of the weeds but I think it would be the same for the seeds and the good and bad soils.
37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,
39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil....
Matthew 13:37-39
The 'good seed' is God's Word, the gospel.... So Christians can plant the seeds in others.
We don't always know, what kind of 'soil' the person has, when we give them the gospel. But that should not stop us, from planting.
Nor should we stop just because Satan has so many ways to keep people from either hearing the Word ( the Bible, the gospel), or coming to Jesus and be saved).
We need to ask the Lord to give us a heart, mind, faith, obedience etc. of love toward him...
So that we are 'good soil' and we are saved, and sowing good 'seeds' of God's Word in others.
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Dec 31, 2020 11:01:29 GMT -5
Well okey dokey I will finish it :)
Oh wow! You are 100% correct about what you said about kids today and school!
Vanessa and Devon got straight A's
But Brian's ( our daughter's fiancee's) 2 children,
Neither child has any type of 'learning disability' And are probably 'slightly above average'
Nevertheless Rylan ( the youngest of the 4 kids) managed to get straight F's!!!!
Now I never knew anyone ever to manage that!!!
I knew of some kids waaaay back when I was in school that got D's and F's
But all F's?? That has got to be a record of some sort?
And that is a major accomplishment.....
NOT!!!
But.... he is truly addicted to video games.
His sister Aaliyah managed one A maybe a B some C's and 2 F's
However, by their own words
They just don't 'want' to
The mother of those two kiddos when she was raising them, (and not Brian)
Decided Rylan had ADD
I suppose.... maybe..... to an extent? He IS a super physically active sort of child also...
But no....
I don't buy it!
I think it's become a 'nice' excuse...
and believe me, he is smart enough to use it, as an excuse I 'can't' because I have ADD!!!
Funny, his ADD doesn't seem to work when spending the whole entire day or week or month or year or years..... focused totally, entirely with a laser focus on video gaming! No attention disorder showing up then!!!
Yes, I think he needs someone with a big ruler to smack his hands in school!
They really used to do that actually back in the day!
I guess, he might maybe perhaps....
He Could be a child who needs to have perhaps have classes focused on 'making things' and 'doing things' like carpentry or plumbing etc. etc. etc.
But yeah..... Straight F's and
they are just going to pass him!!!!
So what has he learned????
He has learned can get away with just playing video games when he is 'supposed' to be on zoom in a virtual class!
he has learned he can 'use' ADD as an excuse ( because it absolutely does not show up when he can spend hour after hour with supreme focus on video games!!!
And, it 'really' does not matter because..... he will get to move right along doing nothing....
This is middle school where one is supposed to be getting basic foundations I thought?
Anyway, I did not sleep well last night either So we shall see I am again falling asleep every few minutes arrrggghhhh
Well, at least that school is still actually using real grades, but eventually they'll do away with them like so many other schools have. I know what you mean. This actually started when our kids were in school, though most parents didn't get to see it. I did because my oldest son was such a handful. I send the kids to school and he'd take off somewhere else. I'd go find him and take him to school, escorting him to class, and as soon as I left, he'd be gone again. So what did the teachers say at the parent teachers conference (which they asked me to bring him in with me). They informed him that they would give him a half a credit for each class if he simply showed up...even if he didn't do any work at all! (He was in 9th grade). I couldn't believe it! I asked them what they were trying to teach him and reminded them they were supposed to be teaching him things that would prepare him for the real world and having a job when he finished school. I said I really couldn't imagine any employer patting him on the back and telling him that they'd gladly continue to pay him half of his pay if he'd just show up, even if he didn't do any work! Needless to say, I won that round lol. But it became their standard way of handling problem kids like my son.
So back to Matthew 13 and the parable of the soils and the sower etc.
4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.
7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13:4-8
I was going to mention another aspect of the rocky soil:
For example the 'prosperity' gospel folks:
They are often focused on the idea 'God want to: bless you'
While ignoring that, God want you to grow.....
and thus, in their intention and focus, to get 'rich' quick....
Often means, They don't feel the need to 'count the cost' of being a Christian
Because, after all..... God is all about making you rich.....
like King Solomon!
( By the way, did they not notice, Solomon ended very poorly)?
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Luke 14:28
However, it often happens that, because the soil is 'rocky' the seed will go down, easily into the rocks, and with some water and warm pleasant sun....
The plant will grow..... but...... as soon as it gets too 'hot' and they discover there can be an unpleasant or hard or even a deadly aspect to be a Christian
The 'plant' withers and dies.... and they leave Christianity and being a so called 'Christian' because they really were not rooted and grounded in the Word and love of Christ.
They were not really committed to Jesus.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
16 that according to the riches of 'his' glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith— that you,
being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:14,16-17
Then there is this type of soil:
7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Matthew 13:7
This kind of soil could have a deceptive intention of deliberately causing hurt, pain, and damage.
The thorns are strong, so the little seedlings can't fight against such power.... and it chokes the good seed, until it dies.
Well so far, the farmer planting seeds does not seem to be having much success! However, that is not the end of the parable! There is also good soil. it produces varying degrees of crops... but even 30 times ( the least amount) of crop sown, was a LOT!
And Jesus give an explanation to the parable of the weeds but I think it would be the same for the seeds and the good and bad soils.
37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,
39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil....
Matthew 13:37-39
The 'good seed' is God's Word, the gospel.... So Christians can plant the seeds in others.
We don't always know, what kind of 'soil' the person has, when we give them the gospel. But that should not stop us, from planting.
Nor should we stop just because Satan has so many ways to keep people from either hearing the Word ( the Bible, the gospel), or coming to Jesus and be saved).
We need to ask the Lord to give us a heart, mind, faith, obedience etc. of love toward him...
So that we are 'good soil' and we are saved, and sowing good 'seeds' of God's Word in others.
Done for Today Very good! Especially for being so groggy! I would like to remind you of one thing, which I know you're aware of, so I'm sure this is just because you're so groggy. But you said: "We need to ask the Lord t o give us a heart, mind, faith, obedience etc. of love toward him..." Why would we ask the Lord for something He's already given us at our salvation? He gives us the ability to love Him and other people the way He does at our salvation, and He gives us the ability to obey Him at our salvation and transforms our minds then as well; He also gives us the gift of faith them, and renews our minds daily when we spend time in His Word each day. (I know you know the scriptures for all of those so won't post them here; but I wanted to address this for others who may be reading.) We can pray and ask that He grow our love and/or our faith. He expects us each to grow in both and the way that growth happens is again by being in His Word. So if we want "more of God", or "more of His love" or "stronger faith" or to "grow up to spiritual maturity", what should we do? Pray? Absolutely! But then, we need to recognize that God uses His Word to transform us, and to change us from the inside out. Therefore if we want more of Him, we need to be in His Word even more. There are no shortcuts.
I've had other people ask me "well what about some tribe in the jungle that doesn't have a Bible, doesn't God grow them too?" Yes, He does and Yes, He does it without using His written Word when the person doesn't have access to it. But His normal way is through His Word and there's no one here who can't get a Bible. And if they can't read, there's plenty of free ways they can learn to do so. Therefore they have no excuse. That's why Jesus says: “...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48) We have been given much, because everyone can have access to His Word. People can get a Bible from the library, or from a church, or even in a hotel room. They can ask a friend, or they can buy one if they have money. If they don't have any money and the other ways are closed to them, they can go online and get one for free in a number of sites, or simply use one of the many free sites that allow people to read the Bible freely.
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Post by Cindy on Dec 31, 2020 11:05:51 GMT -5
I meant to add this to my above post but forgot, so I'll post it separately. Here's a copy of the list of things we could study next. Other things we could study are: Death, what happens after it, and what Jesus means in John 11:25. etc,
Heaven: immediately after death, and after eternity starts, and the difference between the two
the Millennial kingdom, (which could also include heaven after death and after eternity starts and the difference, etc.)
Hell, and the Lake of fire, and the difference and what is waiting for those who will go there.
Love (which includes forgiveness) which is how Jesus says others will know we belong to Him; what does it look like, etc.
Those are the things that are just at the top of my mind, but you're welcome to pick something else that you've thought of too. Whatever you decide on, you'll also need to decide where the thread should go...in the Bible study forum or here?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,625
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Post by fearnot on Dec 31, 2020 12:18:13 GMT -5
Me? Decide....anything? Yikes LOL
I 'think' ( please feel free to correct me if I am wrong)....
That the new topics should go in Bible study?
They of course, are also related to what is going on today..... and a lot to the pandemic and where that leads us
But they are also of a bigger or larger issues? maybe?
making decisions has never been a strong point for me....
unless....
it is either to place a lavender paint next to a teal or a pink and lavender combination side by side in a painting haha
So I will put your first topic in Bible study but you can move it back here.....if that is really where it should go!!! :)
it will be very short today because we are off to take Hossanah to her work, and go to a couple of stores for our one month shopping spree
I did sleep fairly well last night but am not 100 percent as I did not sleep for almost 48 hours so kind still catching up. sigh!
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Post by Cindy on Jan 4, 2021 10:02:37 GMT -5
Sounds good!
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