"TODAY" in Bible Discussions

 
  • MotherMac - 8 hours ago
    Good morning. I am uplifted by the word for today. Deuteronomy 31:16.

    " Be strong, be of good courage, for the Lord, he will not fail thee nor forsake

    thee. I shall meditate on this today. Thank

    !
  • Momsage - In Reply - 18 hours ago
    Hi Jaz: It seems to me there are a lot of things that happen in Revelations that could not have happened yet in order for this to be applied to Rome. The world wouldn't be anything like it is today if all the catastrophic events happened during the Roman Empire. Just my opinion.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 day ago
    Dear Kevin,

    I will pray for a job to be provided to you that will allow you to work in peace of mind and heart My son also suffers from anxiety and depression and has panic attacks from stressful situations also. Finding the right fit job has been an ongoing journey for him. He is 34. His first baby is due in May and he just began a new job this week. So, if you could pray for him I would appreciate that. His name is also Kevin.

    Kevin, I want to declare to you that your sins are all forgiven in Jesus Christ when He died in our place. This forgiveness is given to us as a gift and we can be assured that we are forgiven when we embrace Him and His work of salvation in faith. So, you say your faith is weak, yet you do believe the gospel. You do not need to have but simple faith in what He has done and declared in the Scriptures. He died and rose for you to provide forgiveness and salvation unto those who believe on Him.

    I am so glad you have shared your needs on this site. It is always a good thing to ask others to pray for oneself. So, be blessed by the Lord today and trust that He hears our prayers, knows our desires and every need and will bring answers that are the best for us.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 day ago
    Meditation on "Holy Week"

    There are many churches who are going to detail the last week of Christ's earthly ministry before His death on the cross from Palm Sunday's exaltation and praise to the Passover meal; betrayal and all the sufferings in Gethsemane followed by those leading up to his death in the mock trials involving the Jews and Roman authorities; and finally of course what He endured on the cross.

    Following Passover (which happens to be off a month due to a leap year concept) we have the approximate time of the year correct as to when these things take place; of course now removed nearly 2000 years since the event. We naturally want to deviate from all the pagan rituals of Easter (derived from "Ishtar") along with the celebrations of fertility around the equinox and the variants related to eggs; bunnies and consuming ham. It is doubtful today that we are finding some sinister idol worship when it comes to an egg hunt or consuming certain foods but for those whose conscience doesn't allow that; along with those who won't celebrate Christmas which admittedly has become even more perverted everyone should respect the decisions of others whether abstaining or not (unless somehow we are truly involved with some New Age or occult practices).

    At any event; my main concept involves realizing the deliverance of the Exodus with Passover and of course how blood on the doorposts is symbolic of our Lord and His atonement for us with the perfect sacrifice as an unblemished lamb ( 1 Peter 1:19).

    Remembering that this week is the culmination of the life of our Lord and not isolating the event from all the other perfect acts He did throughout His ministry needs to be taken into consideration along with the fact that He "ever lives to intercede for us now" ( Heb. 7:25). We must remember the sacrificial love He showed in our relations with others. There is no greater love than giving our life for our friends ( John 15:13). That is one day at a time until the end.
  • Richard H Priday - 2 days ago
    Why do men hate God?

    When attempting to bring attention to man's deplorable state of heart Wh( Jeremiah 17:9) I have found in my own self examination that it is best to evaluate all that we consider what Phillipians 4:8 states and then look at our own heart and soul carefully.

    When we seek all that men may say is kind; benevolent; compassionate; etc. and try to find pleasure in life apart from God of course we look to other religions and usually end up in a humanistic mentality. We ascribe to others as well who seem to portray such attributes as somehow "enlightened". I can only speak for myself as a man here; but how much of the flesh is appealed to in today's "Christian" music industry? If someone is young; thin and attractive does it move us as much as someone who is a bit overweight and unattractive who performs on stage? Do we favor those in our own social circles or families above others? What are our motives when we serve others?

    Such logic of course often results in men not appreciating what God does provide such as a wife mentioned in Proverbs 18:22.

    To find the "grass greener on the other side of the field" people think it worthwhile to get a new model and get rid of the spouse that they have been granted by covenant; something Malachi 2:15 says we should not do (also see Proverbs 15:18-20). Interestingly Proverbs 15:8 just before that talks about the sacrifice of the wicked being detestable as contrasted to prayers of the righteous.

    Of course many hate God outright; at least being honest about their intentions; accusing God often of being a "killjoy" and sometimes being an admitted Satanist "do as thou wilt" mentality. Of course we have to look at men's obvious evil acts; so we have laws God has set forth to keep order. With all the self professed benefits of "freedom" we see the end result in the fruits of violence and discord in society that many possess or develop as the cultish mentality comes out. Mark 7:21 is the end result.
  • Richard H Priday - 2 days ago
    The last part of the first stanza of the song "He knows my name" from the 2014 "If We're Honest" album of Francesca Battestelli states this:

    True to who You are

    You saw my heart

    And made

    Something out of nothing

    We really can't disengage the concept of the comprehension that we have nothing to offer but a "broken and contrite heart" as Psalm 51:8 states when we first come to a saving faith. God Himself grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and 2 places in Acts) but this results in our heartfelt plea for God's mercy. In the same logic salvation isn't a one way street. Realizing our own unworthiness and helplessness is what unregenerate man cannot or will not concede in this lifetime as we see illustrated in Jeremiah 18:12. Man finds ways to justify demon worship as giving them something; of course we see a perfect example in Acts 19:25-28 for example where a whole town spent an afternoon rioting; or in 1 Kings 18:28 with the so called "prophetic contest" between idols and the true and living God.

    This illustration of what theologians title "Irresistable Grace" (not my favorite term) seems to fit here. Some could say that our response of realization of our sins; along with a verbal affirmation ( Romans 10:9-12) is a choice we make; rather than a response to the Spirit's prompting. I would agree as to the general search for truth that some have may come first for many; although we can't rule out a "Damascus Road" sort of conversion today either. In the mindset of unregenerate man; to be controlled or "possessed" by the Holy Spirit which results in a predictable response makes us robots and is a frightening concept in "losing our individual freedom of choice"; etc. Man's logic doesn't consider that our Creator should have ownership or mastery over His own created beings and of course we can struggle even as believers in trusting God to see us through the trials of life. This ties into the verse in Luke 17:33-37 in regard to really living when we lose our life
  • Richard H Priday - 2 days ago
    Job 13:15 states: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

    In 1 Kings 13; we see a story of an unnamed prophet who God slayed after disobeying the command not to eat or drink or go back the way he came after a fellow prophet lied to him; later the word of God came through that same prophet foretelling his burial won't be with the other ancestors and he died after leaving the meal; mauled by a lion who then stood next to his natural pray a donkey by the body. It is understood that the Spirit wasn't indwelling as it is today permanently with believers; but it would seem this man was disciplined by the Lord rather than going to hell. The same principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 11:30 where it talks about taking the Lord's supper unworthily (interestingly related to a meal taken wrongly as well).

    My general point here is that there are many out there who claim we can "lose our salvation". We forget the many verses that contradict this which I won't get into right now; because there are so many others that seem to justify this concept. I have already discussed at length many times the idea of God chastising those He loves (and the opposite fact that we are all illegitimate sons if not ( Heb. 12:8).) What I am saying now is that the dying process begins at the day of our salvation and continues throughout our "sanctification" process. The outer evidence of this comes from the fruit in our hearts and is tied into our behaviors; attitudes; words; praises; service; etc. The world has it's own way of "sacrifice" whether as dramatic as "stigmata" or some kind of outer manifestation that appears like the wounds of Christ on their body (certainly demonic); or acts of contrition; service; etc. I don't want to force the terminology realted to the 5 points of Calvin to make my point. I do want to suggest that when God begins a work He completes it. Let us learn the lessons from scripture and take them to heart.
  • Richard H Priday - 2 days ago
    Things didn't work out this time for my trip; won't bore anyone with the details.

    I am meditating on Phillipians 1:12-14

    12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

    13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

    14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

    There are other verses as well that show God using Paul; such as the story in Acts 16:33-35 where the jailor and his family were baptized.

    There is no doubt that what caused people to grow bolder was Paul's continuing determination under fierce persecution as well as his heartelt love and committment to the churches he founded. Today; it seems with many missionaries in far away countries at least here in the USA people can keep their distance in terms of feeling a close kinship; and in the intensity of prayers. Of course it is reciprocal to some degree as it was with Paul who was encouraged by those who gave which made up for the lack of others. Paul of course was the perfect example of a selfless believer; accepting hunger and thirst when necessary and doing work of menial labor of tentmaking to supplement monies so as not to be a burden.

    Such opportunities do exist today among certain organizations that write to prisoners in restricted countries who are incarcerated due to their faith in terms of written communications with careful restrictions for their own safety as to the contents. God measures every tear in a bottle as ( Psalm 56:8). Psalm 30:5 says For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. This verse is better suited for the explanation of the chastisement of God with Israel and their eventual restoration but also shows that our sufferings in this life are temporal.

    We're in this together
  • Richard H Priday - 4 days ago
    More speculation on the Mark of the Beast

    I heard some years ago that a Pope predicted that the Antichrist would espouse solar power and be an environmentalist; probably Ratzinger but I am having trouble finding the quote. There are many other interesting statments about dangers of humanism and such that that Pope did say; which I agree with despite disagreeing with Catholic theology. In any event; in light of the prophecy in Revelation 16:10-11 and the first bowl being a blister from the sun; I am postulating that the mark could be empowered from solar energy. That would explain the devastation of the darkness on the land that would put an end to any sort of communication the chip would offer (if that is the mark).

    It is clear now that all medical records could be for a person in such a database; but I believe that there will be a genetic change to the DNA of the beast as part of what makes a person unredeemable. Also I would expect some sort of "high" similar to a drug that electric impulses or some magnetic energy would give to someone that would give them an addictive high. No doubt any food will be in short supply the entire 2nd half of the Tribulation; so these people will be doped up somehow. Once this feeling is suddenly cut off; that will allow the level of desperation to escalate to where the demons released in Revelation 16:13 will have total control.

    We need only to see the rapid decline from the first seal when people will have some sort of false worldwide peace the end of the Tribulation to see how fast men can fall. This can in some ways be compared to the time of Creation and the original fall of man until today; or even how fast people went from Palm Sunday and adoration of Christ to the behaviors less than a week later at the Crucifixion. There is no peace for the wicked at any time as stated several times in Isaiah; and repeated as to no desire for peace in many other verses. Luke 3:7 was in Christ's time but applies today.
  • Ronald Whittemore - 5 days ago
    Traditions part 2

    In John 12:1-16 this is 6 days before Passover and Jesus rides into Jerusalem the next day which would be the 10th, the day the lambs are taken up five days before Passover day which is called today Palm Sunday.

    Each day is recorded in Matthew 21 through Matthew 27:56 Mark 11:1 through Mark 15:41 Luke 19:28 through Luke 23:49 John 12:1 through John 19:37.

    On the 1st day of the week, we call Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem and returned to Bethany in the evening to lodge.

    The second day shows Jesus going to Jerusalem and returning to Bethany.

    The third day is two days before Passover Matthew 26:2 Mark 14:1.

    On the fourth day, Judas makes the deal to betray Jesus and toward the end of the day, the disciples ask him where he wants them to prepare to eat the Passover. God commanded it to be eaten inside the city walls but they did not eat the Passover, Luke 22:15-16.

    When the sun went down the fourth day what we call Wednesday is the beginning of Passover day the 14th of Nisan the day the Passover lambs are killed, Mark 14:12 Luke 22:7. What confuses things is then and now Passover day and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is referred to as an eight-day feast. Passover day is a preparation day for the seven-day feast of Unleavened Bread not part of the seven-day feast.

    The lambs were killed on the 14th in the evening, the time when the sun starts to go down, any time after noon and before the sun sets. The Passover is eaten the night of the 15th the first day of the seven-day feast which is a holy convocation/Sabbath Exodus 12:8 the same night they went out of Egypt not on Passover day.

    The Lord's Supper and the crucifixion were on Passover day the fifth day from when Jesus rode into Jerusalem which would make that the 5th day of the week we call Thursday.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Jaz - In Reply - 6 days ago
    Thank you Brother and yes ! That is so true . When I was a child we used to play a game called Chinese whispers . We would sir in a circle and one of us would start by whispering something in the persons ear that was next to them . I might say 'today is very windy and I'm wearing a jumper' . We were only allowed to whisper it once and the person who heard it has to pass it on in a whisper just once to the child next to them . When the last child heard the whisper they had to say it out loud and it would always end up something very different to what it was in the beginning . Why do we think that God provided and preserved His Word in the way that He did ? So we can read it of course . That's hat He wants is to do and so we must if we wish to be secure in our relationship with Him through Christ His Word made flesh . Where else can we go to learn of our creator ? Saul foolishly sought information in the wrong place and suffered for his choice . John chapter 6 when Jesus said things that were hard for his disciples to understand some would turn away from him maybe they found his words distasteful . Verse 66 to 69 ,Lord , to whom shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal life . This Word should be our touchstone always .
  • Richard H Priday - 6 days ago
    Concluding thoughts for now on misuse of scripture.

    Remembering the Pharisees shows us a prime example of how not to use scripture. Mark 7:11 is exhibit one in this subject matter; where for financial gain the needs of a parent were said to be avoided and was used in their logic to exonerate themselves for what was "dedicated to God". Psalm 105:15 stating to do no harm to God's anointed ones or prophets has also been mishandled by the "prosperity" preachers in particular and could of course be used by any cult leaders who are false prophets.

    Again we know how much Satan knows scripture. Anything that can be used to tickle men's ears and misused such as God's promises for blessings being boiled down to presumption of financial gain for all of God's people is made even more insane when attempting to justify such logic with other scriptures. Jesus was clearly a man of sorrows as Isaiah prophesied; and was essentially homeless; or at least a full time missionary along with the disciples; fully dependent on God for provisions. If He could state that we shouldn't concern ourselves with food and clothing ( Matthew 6:25) it is more than a stretch to entrust him for a Lamborghinis or jet plane. Note that Jesus didn't even mention SHELTER; and also indicated that the Son of Man has no place to lay His head ( Matt. 8:20). No point going further on that subject!

    A further consideration ties in with what I mentioned about the Pharisees in regard to making scriptures legalistic to maintain pride. This used to be more popular when parents were strict with children two and three generations ago. It still occurs in some denominations today under a guise of "holiness" but seen for what it is when Christ's love isn't on display. We can list all day long what we don't do or don't permit; but we also need to realize that it is the love of Christ that constrains us and draws people in ( 2 Cor. 5:14; John 12:32).

    in short; scripture is truth unless used for another agenda
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Ge.1Mark 4:1-11 "Unto you given" (1 of 2)

    "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables" Mark gives us mystery of the family as is in heaven and on earth where God is one. He has set his throne which is the throne of sovereignty. He blessed all in his Son and the mystery is of his Will.

    St Paul makes his sovereignty as the central plank so his good pleasure in his Son extended to all who received him in faith:

    1:"hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." This refers to the everlasting covenant where on day Six God expresses "behold, it was good"(Ge.1:31). This covenant is inclusive so it is not any nation but whosoever received the Son should have adoption, of children as stated in the next:

    2: "as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, "unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,(Ep.1:3-6). So the man is adopted to himself so he is 'the Father who art in heaven.'

    3: everlasting life is conditional so John's Gospel assures us "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."( John 3:16). Today is the day of salvation is now while we are in our vile bodies and it refers our world of flesh and blood. Simultaneously the day refers in heaven as long as the Alpha and Omega mode of Jesus Christ extends and it is not for us to know. The point is we are saved according to the covenant, when we died to the world and to sin. We have a building of God, a spiritual body awaiting us. (2 Co.5:1)

    Mark tells us in the next verse those who have dismissed this mystery shall not benefit from parables. "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."(4:12). Heresies did not occur happenstance.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Addendum: Abortion statistics

    Try not to read this if you are ready to eat. The World Health Organization states that about 73 MILLION abortions occur worldwide PER YEAR.

    That would in little over 100 years be equivalent to the entire population of those living on the earth today.

    Nothing more to say here.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Romans 2:9 states: There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile..

    (NIV); but says tribulation and anguish in the KJV. There is another verse stating that judgment begins at the house of God. ( 1 Peter 4:17).

    Just as not all Israel is Israel ( Romans 9:6); not all the "professing" church is the possessing church; that is possessing the Holy Spirit and true salvation. Jesus made that perfectly clear to those who thought because they were the physical descendants of Abraham that gave them some sort of benefit were sadly mistaken ( John 8:39-44). Those who had seen Christ; knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet rejected Him would in fact be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah in their punishment. ( Matt. 11:21-24). We see similar warnings for those who have knowledge of the truth and become reprobate; in that it would be better not to have known it in the first place ( 2 Peter 2:21).

    Testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith is sadly lacking today among professing believers; or we would see a reality check in the fruits of many lives. ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We can glibly see this example as a carnal bunch of people and think that being steeped in our own religious training or theology that we are automatically exempt from this test. I have said before that there are dangers in any extreme that is lacking the balancing attribute; such as with loving people and warning them of judgment to come ( John 16:8). We see in the Ephesian church everything being done properly but their first love somehow becoming distant in their hearts. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:6; love rejoices in the truth. The basic fact that man's heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) and that our sin makes us enemies of God ( James 4:4) means that there is a wall between opposing parties and yes God is angry with the wicked (i.e. us) every day. ( Psalm 7:11). Having our heads in the sand doesn't help anyone.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hello Ronald,

    I am thankful that you did answer my questions honestly and respectfully.

    My postings about the Righteousness of God is not directed at you. I have been considering posting on this topic for weeks. But was waiting on the Holy Spirit to do so. I would have written the same thing weeks ago as I did today regardless of how you responded to my questions. So, please, I am sorry if I have offended you or feel like I was speaking to you specifically. I was not.

    I know I had written previously about God's holiness, purity, and justice, which are all related along with His righteousness.

    In writing about His Righteousness I wanted to highlight how the righteousness of Jesus is vastly superior to the righteousness of even the holiest human because He is God in the flesh and His Righteousness is the righteousness of God Himself, which is perfect, limitless, and all sufficient to cover the sins of humanity.

    I do think you are in error in your thinking about Jesus as to who He truly is and also about the Triune nature of God, along with anyone else who denies Jesus is God and also that God, though One deity, exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To me it is clearly revealed in Scripture through Jesus Christ in His life and words. But I do not intend to offend you. You are my friend and I care about you and your feelings. What I have said about believing in a different Jesus and God, I knew it would offend some on here. But, I don't think we are called not to say things that others will find hard to believe, or accept, or not be offended by, but rather, we are to speak the truth in love. That is what I did and what I intended.

    Have a good evening Ronald. We can talk more on another topic tomorrow.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Yes, Ronald, your explanations to my questions have helped me understand your viewpoint very well. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions seriously and respectfully. Be blessed today.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 2:2-22 Old and New (2 of 2)

    New wine in new bottles refer to the new creation. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(2 Co.5:17). Abiding in Christ is new altogether because it is fruits of the Spirit we are discussing. "I am the true vine" Jesus said and new vine refers to the newness of the palate. When Jesus promised to sup with a believer it is a reference to drinking new in the kingdom of his Father. "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."(Matt.26:29;Re.3:20)

    Luke 5:38-39

    "But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved." Jesus assured us "Without me you can do nothing"( John 15:3) Jesus as the Word become flesh promised to drink with us in his Father's kingdom. We are new and in our spiritual bodies we are the new bottles referred in this quote. The wine is of vintage quality that is same yesterday, today and forever. In v.39 it is 'the old'.

    Unlike other two gospels St Luke extends the meaning of the parable further.

    39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Prayer (continued)

    It is hard not to feel an impetus to prod on this subject. I am well aware that I don't have a spiritual gift of service and helps.

    There are always needs and we can't live our lives in a vacuum; and that goes for church as well as in the rest of our lives. Perhaps it is doing what is needed rather than endless activities that also matters. I don't personally find it comfortable having a "Game night" at church nor have I been a social "butterfly" in general but these events when accompanied with prayer (and not with sinful activities that so often come about) these events can be edifying. As I stated previously discussions on world events often deviate toward speculation; there are times when scriptures can be discussed; and can be edifying when these discussions go into detail of Bible truths.

    Evangelism

    I probably said sometime in the last few years of posts that prayer is also good accompanying evangelism for anyone genuinely seeking it. I am not into the "sinner's prayer" in initial conversations; once we get to know people and see a genuine conviction that is the time to seek if they are ready to commit their lives to the Lord. We are partially responsible for someone's fate (blood on our hands) if we don't warn people of taking a vow to God flippantly. We should warn that the more we know the more we are responsible for. We should give many warnings as Christ did about it being the "narrow" path not the broad road leading to destruction ( Matthew 7:13-14). We should also give caution on the trials; thorns and temptations that God uses to test us to see if we are true believers ( Matt. 13:22). Such exhortations may filter out some; but I am convinced will in the end have a greater percentage of committed believers who endure to the end. The song by David Meese "You've gotta count the cost if you want to be a believer" isn't exactly the lingo in today's Christian music "industry" and that is to it's shame.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Marriage

    It is said by Catholics that marriage is a sacrament that is only necessitated by the vow a man makes with a woman; and I agree with that view despite disagreeing with many other things in their belief system. The idea of a minister to oversee the event from what I can tell helps to involve two or three witnesses (usually along with parents) such as 2 Corinthians 13:1 states. There are other verses as well; none directly discuss a marriage or any other vow; but it does apply in the fact that should one or more parties violate the covenant church discipline can be used against them. I am not sure how things are in the big picture but it seems whenever marriages do occur it is often in another church that the family prefers and many times there is little sense of a whole congregation being involved at least like they used to in the past. Maybe I am off somewhat but that's how I see it.

    Good counsel is helpful in that respect however; if anything to keep a healthy balance of older women guiding the youth and allowing for good interactions and support. This is something more favorable it seems today in the Reformed churches from my experiences. Such interactions of a church being a family of course should extend to foreign missionaries that are affiliated with a denomination. It is a shame when we think of missionaries being "out there" and we detach ourselves emotionally when we give financial support. Their marriages and family are components of their witness as much as their evangelism and one can't be separated from the other; although of course some are single individuals on the mission field.

    Again; it is sad to say that from my viewpoint there is a tolerance for remarriage in these same sort of congregations (although many won't perform them). I would say that existing marriages have greater chance of longevity and less for divorce in the Reformed circles than others who have 50 percent divorce rates as all of society if they marry at all.
  • Chrisdube - In Reply - 1 week ago
    I wish I had a more direct answer, but I am not a Pastor. I read a book supporting the King James ONLY as God's true bible. (As opposed to the "modern translations.")

    In the book, "The Preeminence of Christ," the Authors, John A. Ricci and Louis E. DeBoer point out that most of the early "translations" were done by Gnostics, who carried (what we would call today) significant baggage. For instance, they did NOT believe in the Resurrection of Christ.

    They also frequently changed parts of the New Testament that they personally did not agree with.

    Most of the "modern translations," are translations of Gnostic translations (unlike the King James which principally comes from the Textus Receptus).

    The "modern translations" started around the time the Apocrypha was removed from the KJV. While I have no way of knowing, and I will not be dogmatic about it, I think a bunch of "modern translators" formed a group of "Bible scholars" and had it removed.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hi GiGi,

    Sorry to hear about your nephew, the life we are born into, many are not as blessed with good parents and good upbringings and that puts a heavy toll on them, but not so heavy God cannot undo. You and your family are in my prayers, I do not post my prayers I feel funny doing that, Matt. 6:6. I hope to reply today to your questions, I am not the best at unfolding how and why, but I will do my best.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Suzanne, Happy to pray for you.

    Dear Lord God, we come to You in prayer today asking that You heal Suzannes' back pain as You did mine. I pray that You will bless her with rigorous strength and health for the years to come. I pray that You bless her financially so that her needs will be met well without worry and trouble. You have made us rich in You in all things, and you told us to ask You for our daily needs. So we do that today for Suzanne, and all on this forum. Thank you for the way You have provided for us all of our lives and for Your goodness towards us. You are great and nothing is outside of Your control or providence, so we rest in You today, Maker of heaven and earth. We ask these things of You, Father, in the name of Your wonderful Son. Jesus. Amen.
  • Chris - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hi Jazzmanrd. Not sure whether you're wanting to better understand this phrase in Nehemiah 1:5, or not. In case you are, Nehemiah, in his anguished prayer to God, described how he viewed this mighty God, Who alone could save His people & prosper his (Nehemiah's) request to the Babylonian king, Artaxerxes.

    Sometimes, our present understanding of English words have changed as culture & word usage evolves. So here in this verse, Nehemiah describes the Almighty God as "great and terrible". In Hebrew, the word used for 'terrible' is 'yare', which means 'to take fright'. One might think, why should we be frightened or terrified of a God Who is merciful, kind & gracious? Though many Christians today hold only to such a view of God, we know from reading all the Scriptures, that God is also a God of Wrath & of Justice, all within His Glorious Holiness. So, in confronting such a God, anyone whose heart is not right with Him, would do well to tremble & shake in His Presence, even as Nehemiah knew this God Who had the Power to consign all of Israel to destruction for their many sins. Even the Hebrews writer could state, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" ( Hebrews 10:31).

    So the word we could use today instead of 'terrible' would be 'awesome', not as the world uses the word, but unto the Living God before Whom we would stand struck with awe in both His Power, but also His great Grace.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:46-56 "The hour is at hand"

    There is a sharp change of scene between v.45 and v.46.

    In one he required his disciples to keep watch in his hour of sorrow with him. They failed at it. Now he says," Sleep on now, and take your rest."

    Without their aid he was fortified from above. St Luke mentions that in his agony, of an angel from above being present.( Luke 22:43-44) God makes "his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire." When Jesus warns us not to despise 'these little ones' he is referring to their angels. "That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(18:10-14). It is not for us to know in what manner but God does not leave those who are least esteemed in the eyes of the world without support. "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."(Ps.68:5-6)

    They disciples are let to take ease since his hour was at hand. "For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."(Ro.15:3) He was about to claim his victory.

    vv.53-54 "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?/ But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" Lucan Gospel as mentioned earlier introduces the angel in strengthening Jesus in his agony.This helps us to understand the Angel of the Lord sees to the fulfilment of the scriptures. All His promises are 'yea' in his Son. Jesus speaks of legions of angels which are saints battle girt and shall do valiantly in battle. We see them in St John's vision,"And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."(Re.19:14). They follow the Word of God which is Person specific. Whether one angel or legions of them what comes to our aid is our Savior Lord, who warned us, "Without me you can do nothing." Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever."
  • GiGi - In Reply - 2 weeks ago
    Hello Bibleman72,

    I have prayed for you today. May God bring a great healing and restoration to you and your life in Him.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 2 weeks ago
    Hello S. Spencer,

    I am actually doing very well now. The paxlovid has worked extremely well. I finish it up on Sunday. So will see what it is like without this medication but my hope is that I keep getting better. Thanks for asking.

    Please continue to pray for my nephew. He was asked to go back into the psyche ward on a voluntary admittance today. I don't know how long he will be there, but they want him to stay there until his medication regime begins to be effective for him since he was admitted a month ago for trying to commit suicide 6 times in a month. It is so difficult for him and he is so young and his lie has been full of trauma from severe neglect by his mother, his dad being absent from his life from 18 months of age to 18 years old. and he has been with his dad since then. he is 30 and disabled due to severe allergies and asthma that prevents him from working.

    I hope you are doing well. Being down this week has given me lts of time to pray for others.
  • Richard H Priday - 3 weeks ago
    Acts 16:30-33 states: And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

    31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

    32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

    33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

    This passage shows what appears at first glance to be a statement that supports the idea of infant baptism; or that entire households as a given are saved as a result of one person coming to faith. I would take it more as a word of knowledge on Paul's part. We see in this passage in verse 32 that the Gospel was spoken to the entire household of the jail guard first; and immediately afterwards baptism occurred (although it is not clear where that was done in the middle of the night).

    The main concept here is that with the earthquake and releasing of chains at midnight of Paul and all the prisoners brought great fear; and that this shows the Biblical prescident for faith; that is an emphasis on the fear of the Lord and a desire for the individual to come to faith without prodding or compulsion by others as is the style today. When we see other verses such as in Acts when Agrippa almost was convinced to be a Christian ( Acts 26:28) it was through Paul's eloquent appeal. Repent and believe is a general call; but I can't find any specific verses where an individual is called to make a confession of faith such as in modern day "altar calls". This shows that a heart must be ready; and how frequently such commitments are made due to pressure from man; rather than genuine conviction. The appeal in Acts to the Jews was that the one they had crucified was indeed the Christ ( Acts 2:23). Such response brings persecution as all who are giving a genuine convicting message of truth; this is opposed to today's easy believism without counting the cost which happens often.
  • Bennymkje - In Reply - 3 weeks ago
    Hi Gigi,

    What can I say about country which is whether in the US or in Asia or Europe are run by men in various stages of corruption? what can it offer a child of God than what God makes circumstances cushion me from reeling under? Love of my life makes my days as Jacob felt in the house of Laban see seven years as a few days. Last week a chipped enamel in tooth gave me discomfort and God healed me amazingly, and today before my visit to the dentist I felt lifted up. I still manage by God's grace my days. So I have no need compare here or there.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 3 weeks ago
    Dear Bennymlje,

    You can always move to another area of the world that would work better for your mindset. As for me, I will stay in the U.S.A. because it offers the greatest amount of personal freedom and inalienable rights than ANY other country. None are perfect, but some are better than others for every tier of society. Those who are in poverty in America would be shocked to know the depth of poverty in other parts of the world and see that their own poverty is not near as difficult as billions of others.

    I am long on America, with all of its warts and wounds, it is still a great place to live. Focusing on all the negative things you bring up is certainly your prerogative, but for me, I will look at the good as well as the bad. In doing this, I know that U.S.A. is far from a perfect republic of the people and by the people and for the people, but it has offered opportunities for advancement that no other country can say they possess. I come from a multigenerational legacy of poverty with ancestors coming here from Europe to get a better life. There have been much success through the generations and my generation is the first to raise our kids outside of poverty. It took 5 generations. My ancestors worked hard and faced more severe difficulties than most people alive today in our country, but they did not speak against the country that gave them opportunity and better prospects for their futures. Why do you feel a need to do this?

    I have two relatives who came here from Africa through marriage. They speak of what happens today in their countries, slavery, raping of women, kidnapping of women, physical abuse of women, violence and death of relatives at young ages is more common than here. So many children are orphans due to AIDS and abandonment by their parents or children are sold to other Africans. Tribalism is very strong there and so people do not help people from other tribes or are discouraged from marrying outside of their tribe.

    Sin is worldwide.


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