I believe God wants us to not stay away from sinners or unbelievers because we need to tell them of the goodness of Jesus but he don't want us believers to hang out and do what sinners do. Once we have been born again and live a life of holiness Jesus don't want us to go back to our old ways and habits we have to stay from amongst wrong doings because we are different now and we suppose to let our light shine to others so we can draw them to Christ
Hello, there's a page at the bottom that says 'Become a Christian' that is what the Bible says how to become one. If you have followed the Bible to become a Christian then you're a Christian: Link - God bless you!
Hi Carlos, just because God is self sufficient doesn't mean He can't make stuff if He wants. He also doesn't owe us an explanation for WHY, nor are we entitled to know. However, He already said He made us for his glory in Isaiah 43:7.
In my personal, unproven, and non-biblical opinion, I think we were made for His glory and enjoyment and that when we voluntarily with free will and faith choose to Love God and obey Him that it is a pleasure to Him. Perhaps it's like being a parent and if your kids voluntarily tell you they love you and you 100% know it's real, that you didn't coerce them to say that, and that they're not a puppet or robot under your own control. God didn't make robots. It's more meaningful if people voluntarily choose to love.
Your other point was does God have a need to feel good about Himself? Probably not, but doing something that feels good doesn't automatically mean you're insecure about it or NEED it.
The Bible does indicate God does have human-like emotions/feelings, however, like Deuteronomy 32:16. And we're made in His likeness, which may include feelings.
David had complete trust in his creator and came to know him as a young shepherd boy protecting him from the elements and wild animals. But he came to know him as his heavenly father Jehovah God or Yaweh. When he fought Goliath he asked a prayer for accuracy and strength. I read the Psalms 23 often and meditate on it's powerful message and David's trust in his heavenly father. What ever translation you read from enjoy the hope that you gain during the times we face during lockdown and stressful situations. Keep safe and read your Bible..
That's a nice question. That's an important question. And, not to take away from previous replies because they are great responses, but to try to be helpful, since you asked a simple yet very important question I hope to give a direct answer. We are saved not by works, not by anything we do. But, by Faith that Jesus is God's son. And, Faith that God is our creator. So, if you know, without seeing, and you trust that Jesus is your brother, King and Saviour., then you're saved. But we do see examples all the time. Just acknowledge them and say Thank you.
The only works we really need to do, is working on ourselves to be as Jesus teaches. When we work on ourselves we then reflect better who God wants us to become. We'll slip and backslide and when we do, we'll feel ashamed and guilt and like we let Jesus down and we'll repent. We won't abuse Grace and we won't say Grace is a free pass to be a jerk.
Jesus says to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and I struggle with that. I screw up 40-50 times a day in my head, with judging, and selfish thoughts. I'm saved because Jesus loves me and you and even those we don't like I have Trust in that, and when I read Revelations it's not scary to me. I don't dread it. For me, it's a slow growth. But, I'm not the same as I used to be. Because God has pulled me from my "pits." God and Jesus did something we couldn't do. Or, wouldn't do. Keep reading, keep asking questions, and think about the answers, don't be swayed by a person's personal agenda. Jesus came from Heaven to find you (us). He wants us to be with him. Which is sometimes hard to believe because we know how rotten we are. We can quote the bible with spiritual vanity, but it's not by our hands but by Faith and Trust in what Jesus did for us in living and dying and rising for us. And, Faith in God's plan for the World. The World, of past people, current people and for people not even born. It's overwhelming and crazy sounding. But, that's Faith that it's true.
Are you asking this because you honestly do not know the answer? Or, are you asking for a different reason or motive? I have nothing more to add other than He created all things for His glory. That's about as deep as I feel comfortable going.
The type of mourning exhibited by Jephthah, his daughter, and her friends could not be over her virginity. There were others in scripture who remained virgins and did not mourn. Paul and Daniel, for example. Verse 39 is also very clearly states "At the end of two months, she returned to her father, and he kept the vow he had made about her." HCSB. A vow cannot be burned. The verse clearly references "it" to be his daughter by the saying "about her."
comments by Alex, Christ didn't come thru the seed of any man thats y it had to be a virgin birth,Jesus was simply the Word ( GOD ) made flesh and blood NOT the written word made flesh and blood but the living word made flesh and blood.Mary was not impregnated by the written word but by the living WORD, GOD ALMIGHTY WAS HIS ABSOLUTE FATHER, Thats y David said its the LORD DOING and is precious in our eyes,Had jesus come thru some mans seed he wd have to be bornagain of an incorruptible seed. But he was not defiled by any mans seed as he said outta of the hearts of MAN proceeds all manner of Evil. And its the things that come from the hearts that defiles a MAN . What think ye of Christ whos Seed is he, they replied Davids seed, But Jesus replied if David calls him Lord how can he be his seed ( his son ). The REASON he always refers to himself as the SON OF MAN IS MANKIND will have to birth a Baby Christ which is the H.G. Mankind has to bring forth fruit unto God which is the H.G. THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE WORD/SPIRIT IS SPIRIT. TH H.G. is a Living being,our new innerman, that new creature that has to be born in us via his seed th word which is spirit. THATS th only way the kingdom can come is via his seed th word We are gonna birth a baby Christ th H.G. THAT CHILD OF Promise Unless ya receive the kingdom as a lil child etc.Thats y the scrip is saying My lil children of whom i travail in birth till Christ is formed in you thus he is truly the son of man,mankinds fruit unto to God via that good seed. Zech. calls him our 1st born our only son, Smite the shephard and the sheep will be scattered then i will turn my hand to the lil ones his offspring th babes and sucklings, spirits. Th Israel of God that are gonna be born in us via his seed. Thats y he loved that Son of Man title, Th Church is gonna have a baby Christ,Unless ya receive the kingdom as a lil Child.She brought forth a man Child. Kings shall be your nursing fathers n Queens shall be your nursing mothers, ppls
Will follow after the spirit. For every person in the world there are sins that tempt. The key is to follow after the spirit. When the lust of sin comes knocking at the door don't answer it. Watch a good movie, listen to Christian radio, listen to some nice Christian music like the Gaithers, Larnelle Harris, Big Daddy Weaver, and Keith Green has some wonderful music from his era. Call a good friend or a prayer line. The key is to follow Christ because he is the resurrection and the life. He is the hope of Resurrection.this means eternal life in a beautiful paradise with mountains and trees and streams and animals and the presence of precious believers do out history. It's well worth the sacrifice I've seen this not healthy for you anyways.
Adam, good point on Isaiah 43:7. But what does that mean? What is Glory and what is Pleasure? Philosophically and Theologically speaking, God is Self-Sufficient. He doesn't lack anything and He doesn't need anything. He doesn't need love. He doesn't need to be loved. He doesn't need Pleasure? How would you define Pleasure? God also doesn't have a need to be Glorified. We praise Him because of who He is and what He does. But does He need our accolades? Does God have a need to feel good about Himself?
Pleasure and Glory are vague terms. How do you define them? Thanks. Good point.
Rich - in Reply on Hebrews 10 These are all excellent comments; and they make my heart feel good. It is not easy sometimes; but always put your faith in the lord. You pray to the lord by yourself but usually you always pray with others; at least one other; and I don't know where and when you accepted the Lord as your saviour; but when we do that; we usually go to the church where we got saved or back to the church of our parents and or where we were named or baptized. The ideas is once we accept the Lord; we usually hang around with others with strong faith in God; Our Father in Heaven as you say in the lord's prayer, which I say often and a lot of other christians do; what I did 50 years ago or more is make a commitment to carry a small Bible in my wallet; and I always followed that commitment; and I also later carry a special bigger small Bible that, I had a sentimental attachment to, on my belt; but then another person who was having some issues I thing related to his family asked me for the one on my belt; and I gave it to him although I did not want to; but then when he saw it was from someone; he said no don't give me that one as that must be special to you; and so I gave him the old almost deteriorated one that he wanted but now i have two small ones along with the old back cover back of my old 50 year one. So what you could do is go some where where you can find another Christian; preferable a priest or minister and I know that some may have a bad reputation from the past; however, most of them would never do that today; but the main thing is your faith; and they are use to dealing with people; and sometimes also; if you have other issues; then it may be time to get help there; and a priest or minister and or another man of God and family usually can help there; but what ever you do; don't ever lose faith in God; know that He loves you; and his word is that He will always stand by us, we must never give up, Others can help us c He is there. So, why not go C
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the RESURRECTION and the LIFE, he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live 26 and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Note: The same question JESUS asked back then remains for you and I in 2020, never-the-less, the question for us in 2020 is: Believest thou that JESUS is the RESURRECTION and LIFE and anyone that believeth in JESUS though that person were dead SHALL LIVE and anyone that beliveveth in JESUS SHALL never die. Through John 3:16-21 I believeth all stated in verse 25-26, and looking forward to being at the Marriage Supper of the LAMB.
Marie, the only angel I know is my precious love who shares my life & home - and she is beautiful!
But of the other angelic beings, we are not told about their looks, except that sometimes they appear in radiant white, shining, or in human form for a specific purpose. I'm sure they look 'perfect' as God's creations & the fact that outer beauty is of no consequence in heavenly terms. God always looks at the real person (the "heart" as we call it) when he sees us & not like how people generally look at us, at our physical appearance.
Debra, no, snakes are just part of the animal kingdom created by God. I think you might be referring to Genesis chapter 3, the temptation of Adam & Eve. Satan came to tempt man & woman to sin, and he did so, by indwelling a serpent & speaking to them through it. Obviously, they seemed to accept that this talk coming from an animal was nothing unusual. However, we don't know what form this serpent took; it may well have been a taller animal with legs or such like, but we see that after God cursed Satan for doing this, the serpent was confined to slither on the ground & lick the dust (3:14).
So even though the serpent, as an animal, was cursed, it was so because of Satan's influence through it. It still is an animal that survives today as any other creature, but the evil spirit (Satan) that took it over for the temptation, is the one in question. Then verse 15, gives us the first prophecy about Jesus' Sacrifice: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." This means that Satan will not just attack (be enemies) to the seed of the woman (all of us), but that Jesus (as the pure Holy Seed from woman) will have victory over him at the Cross ("bruise thy head"), as Satan would "bruise His Heel" by filling the Jewish priests with evil accusations against Jesus to crucify Him. So the snake is not evil at all; but Satan is.
In the New Testament Christ acknowledged the Sabbath, however he was not a Sabbath keeper. He was often accused of breaking the Sabbath. Christ went about healing the sick and feeding the hungry on the Sabbath Day.
"Can celibacy work?" Celibacy is an acceptable state to be in (whether called or compelled to be in) & it is a demonstration to the Lord & yourself that you are serious about what you are going through. But celibacy alone will be a struggle if done in your own strength. Your whole attitude is to be close to the Lord through the study of His Word, in prayer (especially when the temptations come), in meeting with other Christians who understand your situation & able to support & counsel you, are all essential in gaining victory. You should never feel alone & isolated in being celibate, but to rejoice that your struggles against the flesh are for the Lord & His Glory & that He is mindful of what you're going through. The apostle Paul prayed earnestly that the Lord would remove the 'thorn in his flesh' (possibly an optical problem), but the Lord was quiet over the matter. You can read about it in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; the key thought here is: that "His Grace (for the infirmity) is given in sufficient measure; & His Strength (to you) is made perfect in (your) weakness". Ruben, you can really prove the Lord in a mighty, special way as you leave your desires completely with Him & trust Him for the strength to persevere & overcome.
Ruben, I really sense your frustration & helplessness. I am a heterosexual so I hope someone else who is going through the same conflicts can respond as well, though I thought to pen a few lines to you.
I understand from your plea, that you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have homosexual tendencies but trying to live as Christ wants you to. I confess that I'm ignorant how these 'other lifestyles' arise, except to discern that our fallen nature has played havoc with how we are, the way we think, & the things we do. You know the Scriptures about the way God views this type of lifestyle, but what He does see is that you recognize His view on this issue & that only through desire for a new life & abstinence from that which is wrong, is what you too are sensing.
As I mentioned, we often have 'thorns in the flesh', simply because we are human, imperfect, & with sinful flesh. Some may have a physically deformity or with lower mental capacity or carrying emotional pain from a young age. Yours affects your need for love & companionship which is a very strong compulsion. In my case, I was born with colour blindness (to some degree), & though this generally hasn't affected me in my daily life, it destroyed my sole ambition for a career as an airline pilot. I struggled with this 'loss' for many years & wondered why the Lord allowed this to be my lot. As a Christian, I realize that there is always a purpose in our lives; for me, it could have meant an air accident which could have brought disastrous results, but I could see that all things happen for a reason. I never ever settled into any career that I could enjoy, but content to be in Christ.
Your struggle is different I know but the same principles apply. If Satan tries to get me in a weak area of my life, I should expect his attack there, I must withstand him, I must cleave to Christ & I must press on in faith. It will never be an easy road to tread, but you must resist Satan at every instance. (page 2).
Thank you for looking that up and telling me. For weeks he's refused to hear anything others were patiently trying to teach. Then that day it just hit me hard, all the accusations. Pages of railing on Paul. It was so obvious that he was wasting time and effort, others were trying to solve his problem.
I really try to avoid confrontation. I don't want to embarrass Jesus.
Did I miss something?Why everything in reply on Matthew 24:38?But Carlos,thank GOD for the Word that was given for and to us to pay a sin debt that we we could never pay.Jesus redeemed us because we were incapable us redeem ourselves.Thank GOD that He does all the work.Just think for a moment-----GOD.GOD,redeeming us back to GOD(JESUS)He came to bring us eternal life,those who believe in HIM.The law convicts,the Word frees.The law was given as a substitute teacher until the Home room teacher took over.I say this with all joy.Yes Carlos,JESUS said ;My SHEEP hear my voice,and I know them and they follow me.JESUS knows His Sheep by name and when He calls them by name they come forth.James,Carlos,Chris and on and on until there is a number that no man can count.GOD Bless.
it repeats three times.
In my personal, unproven, and non-biblical opinion, I think we were made for His glory and enjoyment and that when we voluntarily with free will and faith choose to Love God and obey Him that it is a pleasure to Him. Perhaps it's like being a parent and if your kids voluntarily tell you they love you and you 100% know it's real, that you didn't coerce them to say that, and that they're not a puppet or robot under your own control. God didn't make robots. It's more meaningful if people voluntarily choose to love.
Your other point was does God have a need to feel good about Himself? Probably not, but doing something that feels good doesn't automatically mean you're insecure about it or NEED it.
The Bible does indicate God does have human-like emotions/feelings, however, like Deuteronomy 32:16. And we're made in His likeness, which may include feelings.
The only works we really need to do, is working on ourselves to be as Jesus teaches. When we work on ourselves we then reflect better who God wants us to become. We'll slip and backslide and when we do, we'll feel ashamed and guilt and like we let Jesus down and we'll repent. We won't abuse Grace and we won't say Grace is a free pass to be a jerk.
Jesus says to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and I struggle with that. I screw up 40-50 times a day in my head, with judging, and selfish thoughts. I'm saved because Jesus loves me and you and even those we don't like I have Trust in that, and when I read Revelations it's not scary to me. I don't dread it. For me, it's a slow growth. But, I'm not the same as I used to be. Because God has pulled me from my "pits." God and Jesus did something we couldn't do. Or, wouldn't do. Keep reading, keep asking questions, and think about the answers, don't be swayed by a person's personal agenda. Jesus came from Heaven to find you (us). He wants us to be with him. Which is sometimes hard to believe because we know how rotten we are. We can quote the bible with spiritual vanity, but it's not by our hands but by Faith and Trust in what Jesus did for us in living and dying and rising for us. And, Faith in God's plan for the World. The World, of past people, current people and for people not even born. It's overwhelming and crazy sounding. But, that's Faith that it's true.
Are you asking this because you honestly do not know the answer? Or, are you asking for a different reason or motive? I have nothing more to add other than He created all things for His glory. That's about as deep as I feel comfortable going.
Pleasure and Glory are vague terms. How do you define them? Thanks. Good point.
Note: The same question JESUS asked back then remains for you and I in 2020, never-the-less, the question for us in 2020 is: Believest thou that JESUS is the RESURRECTION and LIFE and anyone that believeth in JESUS though that person were dead SHALL LIVE and anyone that beliveveth in JESUS SHALL never die. Through John 3:16-21 I believeth all stated in verse 25-26, and looking forward to being at the Marriage Supper of the LAMB.
But of the other angelic beings, we are not told about their looks, except that sometimes they appear in radiant white, shining, or in human form for a specific purpose. I'm sure they look 'perfect' as God's creations & the fact that outer beauty is of no consequence in heavenly terms. God always looks at the real person (the "heart" as we call it) when he sees us & not like how people generally look at us, at our physical appearance.
So even though the serpent, as an animal, was cursed, it was so because of Satan's influence through it. It still is an animal that survives today as any other creature, but the evil spirit (Satan) that took it over for the temptation, is the one in question. Then verse 15, gives us the first prophecy about Jesus' Sacrifice: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." This means that Satan will not just attack (be enemies) to the seed of the woman (all of us), but that Jesus (as the pure Holy Seed from woman) will have victory over him at the Cross ("bruise thy head"), as Satan would "bruise His Heel" by filling the Jewish priests with evil accusations against Jesus to crucify Him. So the snake is not evil at all; but Satan is.
"Can celibacy work?" Celibacy is an acceptable state to be in (whether called or compelled to be in) & it is a demonstration to the Lord & yourself that you are serious about what you are going through. But celibacy alone will be a struggle if done in your own strength. Your whole attitude is to be close to the Lord through the study of His Word, in prayer (especially when the temptations come), in meeting with other Christians who understand your situation & able to support & counsel you, are all essential in gaining victory. You should never feel alone & isolated in being celibate, but to rejoice that your struggles against the flesh are for the Lord & His Glory & that He is mindful of what you're going through. The apostle Paul prayed earnestly that the Lord would remove the 'thorn in his flesh' (possibly an optical problem), but the Lord was quiet over the matter. You can read about it in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; the key thought here is: that "His Grace (for the infirmity) is given in sufficient measure; & His Strength (to you) is made perfect in (your) weakness". Ruben, you can really prove the Lord in a mighty, special way as you leave your desires completely with Him & trust Him for the strength to persevere & overcome.
Ruben, I really sense your frustration & helplessness. I am a heterosexual so I hope someone else who is going through the same conflicts can respond as well, though I thought to pen a few lines to you.
I understand from your plea, that you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have homosexual tendencies but trying to live as Christ wants you to. I confess that I'm ignorant how these 'other lifestyles' arise, except to discern that our fallen nature has played havoc with how we are, the way we think, & the things we do. You know the Scriptures about the way God views this type of lifestyle, but what He does see is that you recognize His view on this issue & that only through desire for a new life & abstinence from that which is wrong, is what you too are sensing.
As I mentioned, we often have 'thorns in the flesh', simply because we are human, imperfect, & with sinful flesh. Some may have a physically deformity or with lower mental capacity or carrying emotional pain from a young age. Yours affects your need for love & companionship which is a very strong compulsion. In my case, I was born with colour blindness (to some degree), & though this generally hasn't affected me in my daily life, it destroyed my sole ambition for a career as an airline pilot. I struggled with this 'loss' for many years & wondered why the Lord allowed this to be my lot. As a Christian, I realize that there is always a purpose in our lives; for me, it could have meant an air accident which could have brought disastrous results, but I could see that all things happen for a reason. I never ever settled into any career that I could enjoy, but content to be in Christ.
Your struggle is different I know but the same principles apply. If Satan tries to get me in a weak area of my life, I should expect his attack there, I must withstand him, I must cleave to Christ & I must press on in faith. It will never be an easy road to tread, but you must resist Satan at every instance. (page 2).
I'm celibate. If mr. unclean shows up,
Put on praise music You love and read some chapters. Don't be alone with them till you know their story.
I really try to avoid confrontation. I don't want to embarrass Jesus.