Jerry

Again, the same old same old stuff - oh, you don't believe my personal theology, you are guilty of going along with the crowd and not studying things out for yourself. That is not the case. I have spent a lot of time studying out false teachings and comparing them with the Bible, sometimes from firsthand sources and sometimes from apologetics ministries, sometimes just me and my Bible. Besides: 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. If your theology is so esoteric only the elite or a special group of professing believers can understand it, then it is not of God. There is a simplicity in Christ that any true believer can understand if they take the time to dig into the Scriptures and study them. Sorry if I don't grasp and accept every aspect of your elite theology.

I find it extremely funny that so many people who hold to heresy of some kind (Catholics, Calvinists, cultists) teach that only they can understand their false teachings. Guess what, we got the Bible, same as you - and we can gauge all teachings by it, same as you. The question is, who is right or wrong, whose theology agrees with the Bible and who is twisting the Bible to fit their theology? Calvinism DOES NOT line up with the Bible. There are many aspects of it that are straight up false teachings. We have gone through that merry-go-round countless times through the years these message boards have existed. This is just the latest one. I realize many have no interest in the endless debates - but eventually your false teachings will get refuted, until the next time some elite newbie shows up and says we all just cannot understand his own particular brand of false teachings. Thanks for playing. Next contestant, please.

You brought nothing to the table? Sorry if I did not achieve your elite status. Quit trying to make all the Bible fit your false teachings. The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin, enlightens them to the truth of the Gospel and who Jesus Christ is - He doesn't force or make them believe. Also, being dead spiritually is not the same thing as being dead physically. It means separation - a spiritually dead person is separated from the Lord God until they receive/respond to the Gospel. If being spiritually dead meant man could not do ANYTHING, then man could not even sin - a physically dead body just lies there, unresponsive, neither sinning, speaking or literally doing anything. If being spiritually dead meant mankind was unable to first respond to the preaching of the Gospel, then become regenerated afterwards by grace through faith (by the work of the Holy Spirit), then how do YOU reconcile this verse: John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. It doesn't say those who are alive will hear Jesus' voice, but those who are dead. Calvinism puts the cart before the horse and preaches a double regeneration - first a regeneration to be enabled to respond, then regenerating again to be born again - but that means a true believer needs to be born again again - but you won't find THAT in the Bible! John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. When man responds positively to the work of conviction and enlightening of the Holy Spirit, then He regenerates them. We do not regenerate ourselves - neither does the Lord God regenerate man without man responding to their need for sin and righteousness, and turning to the Saviour. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Wait, according to your theology, how many gifts does God give man in regards to salvation? Here, it very clearly says the gift of God is eternal life, not faith. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He gave His Son, and those who received Him (John 1:12) get eternal life - same thing, salvation through believing the Saviour is the gift.

You just labelled two FALSE religions/CULTS as Christian denominations. And those two DO teach a different gospel, a different Jesus, etc; therefore they are not of God and to be warned against and exposed. Also, there were denominations in Jesus' day (in the NT). The NT word used is SECT. Look it up. Jesus didn't condemn someone for being part of a sext/denomination or identifying themselves as a Christian, as a follower of the way, as a brethren, as a Jewish proselyte, etc - but He condemned where those specific denominations added to or took away from the Word of God. Yes, some denominations AND ALL cults started because some men or women wanted to add their own beliefs and practices to what God has said in His Word - YET, there are others that were clearly led of God and were formed because they stood upon the Word of God and separated from and exposed the error of other denominations or cults and religions - which the Bible tells us to do. God is not for unity at the sake of truth. In fact there are various passages that He tells us He came to bring a sword to separate the light from the darkness, the false brethren from the true. By the way, Baptists (anabaptists, Waldensians, and others of a like nature) were historically for the truth and against the error of their days, and many died for standing alone on the Word of God. The false brethren were the ones persecuting them and killing them and slandering them and giving them their names (anabaptist). God preserved His Word historically through these remnant groups. (I say historically because many no longer stand where they once stood - but that does not negate their history or make it irrelevant. I proclaim myself as an INDEPENDENT FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST because: 1. Independent - I believe in the autonomy of the local church - yes, my church may have similarities to many other Baptist churches, but we are not a denomination in the sense that some group or church somewhere has authority over us and dictates what we believe or practice. 2. Fundamental - I believe that the FUNDAMENTALS of the faith are necessary for salvation and for someone to be identified as a true NT Bible believer/church. I also hold to all the Baptist Distinctives, which separates me in some sense from all other "Christian" groups, true or false, that only embrace some of them. 3. Baptist - It's an identification for others to be able to find believers of a like mind. Everything I see in the Bible, especially in the NT, tells me to dig into the Bible, study it, rightly divide it, then hold with all my heart to what I believe it teaches. That is the type of believer God promises to bless - not the one who is willing to cast the truth aside for the sake of some ecumenical unity.

God doesn't cause or make people believe; however, He gives them the ability to believe, gives the conviction of their sins and the understanding of the Gospel, but it is still up to man to respond. No one is forced to believe (ie, forced to go to Heaven), nor is anyone forced or chosen to go to Hell - aside from their personal choices. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation is a gift of God, not our faith. What the Bible teaches about election is that God chose certain things for those who would trust in Christ, and all those that do so are predestined to all those things: eternal life, inheritance, to be conformed to the image of Christ, etc. They were not predestined to believe or to not believe, to receive Christ or reject Him.

Yes, elect refers to the saved - but who? Matthew 24 refers to the nation of Israel. All (remaining) Israel will get saved after a certain point in the tribulation (Romans 11:25-27 and Zechariah 12-13), then will be gathered together at the end of the seven years.

Actually, some of my passages directly show that what they speak about is before the tribulation, such as Revelation 1:19 compared with 4:1. Hint, what happens in chapters 4-5 - after the church is removed - takes place BEFORE the opening of the seals, which is the start of the tribulation. Isaiah 13 shows all seven years are the wrath of God - and the NT makes it clear that the church will not undergo the wrath of God. Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. Daniel 9:24-27 is a prophecy about Israel, not the church. There is no gap shown in Daniel because the church age and the church is a mystery not revealed in the OT - therefore verse 27 is talking about the nation of Israel and what God does with them, not with the church (who are removed before the timetable starts up again). Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Also, the rapture of the church is a mystery - therefore not shown in any OT prophecies, nor are the people shown going through God’s wrath on the world the church, as they are not prophesied about. 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

There are various Biblical reasons for the Pre-tribulation rapture (verses can be provided upon request). These are the ones that come immediately to mind as I am typing this: 1. God has promised that His church will never undergo the wrath of God - of which all seven years are His wrath. This can be verified easily by looking at what Isaiah 13 says about the day of the Lord and then comparing it with Luke 21. Both passages contain the same ideas and even wording - yet what Luke is stating God's people are going through in the endtimes is what Isaiah is saying is the time of wrath. 2. Jesus said the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church, yet Revelation 13:7 and Daniel 7:21 states the Antichrist will prevail over the saints that are on the earth at that time. If that is the church, God's Word has contradictions (which we know it doesn't). 3. This verse gives the timing of the book of Revalation: Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The things which John hast seen - the symbolical vision of the risen Christ in Revelation 1. The things which are - the seven churches in chapters 2-3 The things which shall be hereafter - the tribulation, the millennium, eternity. This can be seen illustrated in Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. This happens before the seals are opened. 4. Daniel 9:24-27 states that Daniel's 70th week is when God will wrap up His plan for Israel. The tribulation is that 70th week, which the Antichrist will break his covenant at the midpoint. There are many passages of the OT that refer to what God will do with and to the nation of Israel during those years. 5. The church is a mystery that was not revealed in the OT; therefore it is not the NT church God is referring to in all those OT endtimes passages, but to the nation of Israel. 6. When Jesus comes for His church, He comes in the air - and it is stated to be at a time when the world is not expecting Him; however, His physical return to the earth (on the mount of Olives) is at the literal end of the seven years - therefore at a time when the world (or at least the living believers) can expect it. 7. Continuing point 6 - the church comes back with the Lord in Revelation 19, and they are having or have just had the marriage supper of the Lamb. That meant the judgement seat of Christ has already happened. It wouldn't make any sense for Jesus to rapture us up at that point, take us to heaven, then immediately gather us to take us back with Him to the earth. 8. Enoch and Elijah are clear types of the church being gathered - they were taken to heaven (actually Abraham's Bosom) without dying, and are a type of the church being taken to heaven without dying. 9. Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. God promises to take the church out before the time of temptation comes upon the whole world. The Greek word for "all the world" is used 3 times in Revelation (12:9 and 16:14) and is clearly referring to things that effect the whole world - Satan's deception, gathering the lost world to battle God at Armageddon. The time of testing/temptation is the seven year tribulation, a time for the whole world to choose between God and the Devil, between the Lord Jesus Christ and the Antichrist. The true church (ie. true believers have already done that) - and many throughout history stamped their choice in their own blood, including the times of persecution in the first century until now. Just because North America and Europe is lukewarm overall doesn't negate the promises of God - or make His children any less His children just because a particular group of them did not personally face martyrdom. Though the darker this world gets and the closer we get to Jesus' return, the more the choice to receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour and to live for Him will cost those true believers. And yes, we do see that in North America when we reject the Covid vaccination scares and the trans/gay/woke agenda or go against the ecumenical (which is literally the Greek word meaning "all the world") push in modern "Christendom."

How can that be? Nowhere does the Bible refer to a generation as every person that lived for 2000 years. It doesn't make any sense. That's like saying there will still be people on the earth until after these things all happen - which is a given; however, saying a specific group of people will still be alive is saying something specific. Also, none of the people in Jesus' day nor in the destruction of the temple/Jerusalem (ie. during His ministry or later in the first century) are still alive today... Matthew 24:32-34 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. The immediate context of "this generation" is in Matthew 24 - the generation of those who see these events unfold or are part of them. You don't need to go back to an earlier chapter to try to make other people fit. Also, in Matthew 23, Jesus is addressing a specific generation, the generation of the Pharisees and scribes in His day - not a hypothetical symbolic generation. Where else does the Bible refer to a generation in a sense that is not referring to an actual generation, an actual group of people? Even the references in Proverbs 30 refer to a specific generation of people that are proud, disobedient, etc. that will exist either in Solomon's day or perhaps in the endtimes before the Lord's return (yup, that part is my opinion/application). Yes, and the fig tree in the Bible is always symbolic of the nation of Israel (when used as a symbol).

Here’s a poem that I attempted to fit together the idea of being grateful for God’s forgiveness and remembering what He has done for us on Calvary (ie. thinking on these things in light of the Lord’s Supper - which my church will partake of in the evening service this coming Sunday). Thanks to my friend Gary for the suggestion (of the first idea). A Call To Remembrance I’ll never forget all the things You’ve done for me; How You died on the cruel cross of Calvary; You redeemed me from my sin and set me free; Now Lord Jesus, I am Yours eternally. I was a black sheep that had wandered astray; As a Good Shepherd, You sought me that day; You rescued me from all that kept me away; Changed forevermore, I’m Yours, come what may. Any good in my life is because of You; Every breath I breathe, I owe it all to You; You’ve taken my heart and made it brand new - I’m transformed by Your love, by all that You do. Looking back on my life, and all my past sin, I praise You for Your grace that cleanses within; I recall to my mind how faithful You have been; And rejoice in the hope that You’re coming again. February 27, 2024 Jerry Bouey Ephesians 2:11-13 Wherefore remember… That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Lamentations 3:21-23 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The Bible talks more about our responsibilities than our rights. To my understanding, rights are what we think/believe others owe us - responsibilities are what we owe to God and others. This is not stated to be argumentative, but for consideration (and because I don't have perfect memory of all the Bible), is not the emphasis in Scripture to do what we know to be right towards others (in obedience to God and His Word), rather than expecting others to be a certain way towards us? For example, there are commands for parents and commands for their children - but I do not think we ever find a command for the children to expect or demand certain things from their parents, wives from their husbands and vice versa - but rather commands of how THEY are to be and conduct themselves. Yes, it is sad when a parent does not follow God in regards to their children, children to their parents, bosses to their employees, and vice versa, etc. - but that is why we are to rely on the Lord when others do not do right towards us, trusting that the Lord will work it all out for our good and will one day make it right. I think that our only rights are to claim what God has promised to His children - not what we think others should do or be towards us.** **I am adding this by way of comparison: I have some family in the States who will not obey certain things in the Bible - because they feel their "rights" as US citizens are more important than their responsibilities towards God and His Word - yet we are accountable to what God has said and commanded more than what man has said or commanded (if they are not the same in a particular instance). We ought to obey God (rather than men), and seek to do His will, regardless of what rights others think we owe them (and yes, if God's Word commands us to act/behave a certain way as believers and citizens of Heaven, we should strive for that, trusting the Lord when others do not do the same towards us).

How are you able to post here then?

No offense to you, John - but Stephen Anderson is one person you should NEVER recommend. He is a false, blasphemous teacher who has ruined his family and his (and other) churches. He is not someone you should look towards for any doctrinal issues. He is so full of hatred and is a dangerous extremist - denying the holocaust, denying homosexuals can get saved (despite 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), among other issues.

Also, foot washing in the Bible is symbolic of forgiveness - forgiving our brethren. Forgiving unrepentant homosexuals (there are several presented in the ad) etc. does not fit Jesus’ message.

Are those pictures above pictures of you and your health condition? What is causing those type of sores?

John MacArthur has many doctrinal issues (reformed/Calvinist theology), preference for the Critical text and loves to correct the Bible at times) - and he absolutely does teach that a saved person can receive the mark of the beast and also that you can be saved after receiving the mark - though the book of Revelation clearly teaches that those who receive the mark face God’s judgement during the tribulation and afterwards face eternity in the lake of fire. It also states the opposite to make it even clearer: those who are saved during the tribulation have the victory over the mark of the beast. There is no middle ground. I am sure many so-called Baptist churches have their issues, but there are many that do not hold heretical doctrines or practices. I don’t know of any other Baptist pastor who teaches what MacArthur does on the mark of the beast, so please don’t lump all Baptist churches in the same category as his. Here are all the references to the mark of the beast in the book of Revelation. The mark is first mentioned in Revelation 13:16, but seven other times it is referred to as the mark of the beast or his mark: Revelation 13:17; 14:9 , 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4

I am sorry that you personally are going through a time of trial or trouble in your own life - but we are definitely not in the time of worldwide tribulation yet. There is no oneworld leader ruling and enforcing his mark, no oneworld religion (though we are getting closer all the time), no seals have been opened yet and no wrath poured out by God on this world (in reference to what is spoken of in Revelation). If you are a true child of God, the rapture will take you home before that time. I am not trying to be insensitive, but what is your health issue? What are those sores from?

If you have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation then the Lord God is not dealing with you on the basis of the sins of your ancestors, but on who you are in Christ. If you have not yet trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation (based upon His finished work upon the cross when He died for our sins), then now is the time to receive His mercy and grace through His gift of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Yes, if God is judging/punishing a nation for their sins, that judgement will still affect true believers in that area (such as an earthquake or a tsunami, etc.) - but oftentimes God’s true people are spared in the midst of the catastrophe. Keep your eyes upon the Lord, claim His promises, and don’t fear what may be happening to the lost around you. God is still in control. All that being said, these are general Bible principles as I do not know what specific judgements or problems you are referring to. If you are truly God’s child doing God’s will then the Lord will have mercy on you and have His hand of protection over you. Worse comes to worse, He sometimes takes His children home to heaven to save them from a time of judgement that may be up ahead.

Eating meat was not allowed by God before the flood, and the animals did not eat animals until after the flood. God says: Genesis 9:1-4 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

Thanks Kienyui for your prayers for others here. Isaiah 53:5 is primarily referring to the healing of sin - the forgiveness of sin because of Jesus' death upon the cross for our salvation. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Quoted in the New Testament in: 1 Peter 2:24-25 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. Yes, in eternity - and even at the moment of the rapture - all true believers will have been perfected, their sinful human nature removed. Though until then the Lord may heal individuals based on His grace and care, that is not what that passage is referring to. Romans 8 is a good passage that deals with the redemption of our bodies, which has not occurred yet.

Meat eaters? No one ate any flesh of animals until God allowed it after the flood. I'm sure mankind would have used up their store of food from the ark, then the trees, etc. that were then starting to grow again would have provided food too. The animals would have started reproducing again so there would be a source of meat shortly thereafter. If you look at how God provided for His people when they were entering the promised land - ie. eating of their already provided resources for a couple of years, then eating off the land, I am sure the Lord could have done a similar thing right after the flood. He would have known exactly what was needed to take care of His people during that time. Also, of the clean animals, there were extras so they could offer sacrifices and have food to eat once they started reproducing.

We are not in Heaven yet - neither is Jesus reigning from Jerusalem (ie. His millennial reign). That will happen in time. As far as why God does not just wipe out or destroy all evil doers, all sinners? You are still a sinner - God's grace is why any of us are still here. Hopefully you have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work of redemption on the cross for our sins. One day the Lord is coming back again. P.S. What's with listing every kind of denomination and religion (yes, Catholicism is a different religion) in your profile description? You can't be all of those - especially cannot believe a denomination/religion that teaches salvation is by works AND believe salvation is by grace through faith at the same time.

More Than Enough Mankind is always seeking for some lasting substance to be found; Everywhere the heart can glean, he thinks valuable treasures will abound; But it seems of the world’s riches, there is never enough to go around - With all that I have in Christ, the Word of God clearly resounds: More than enough wisdom to guide me in His sight, More than enough strength for these battles that I fight, More than enough truth - in fact, the Lord is my Light! Whatever I face in this life, Jesus Christ is more than enough. More than enough new mercies to help me through each day, More than enough forgiveness when my steps lead me astray, More than enough grace for those trials that come to stay - With my Saviour, I have more than enough to face whatever comes my way. More than enough promises for me to live a godly life, More than enough peace to calm every sort of strife, More than enough power to command that every storm be still, In my Saviour is more than enough for me to do my Father’s will. More than enough provisions which come from up on high, More than enough comfort for every teardrop and sigh, More than enough hope - one day, I’ll meet my Lord in the sky; For all that I will ever need, Jesus Christ is more than enough. January 31, 2024 Jerry Bouey Romans 5:5-8 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 8:31-32 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? The following was written by a man in my church as a challenge to others a couple of years ago. He passed it on to me to use as a theme for a possible poem. The owner of a Rolls Royce wrote a letter to the CEO of the company and asked him what the horsepower was of his vehicle. His reply was a one-worded letter: "Adequate.” Of course there are many more features of the Rolls Royce than the horsepower that we could describe as adequate, the many features of the controls, appearance of the interior, design and leather of the upholstery, and the statement this car makes from its outside appearance. My thoughts turned to my God and I began mentally listing all the ways in which I considered Him to be adequate. Omnipotent: All POWERFUL, created the universe, the earth, the sun, moon and stars, our lands with all kinds of animals, our vegetation, trees, oceans and lastly human beings, which He did in just six days, His power, more than ADEQUATE. Omniscient: KNOWS EVERYTHING, Even the very hairs of your head are numbered, not counted, but numbered. Just one example from Matthew 10:30. His knowledge, More than ADEQUATE. Omnipresent: PRESENT EVERYWHERE, Omnipresence means that at the very minimum there is no place to which God's knowledge and power do not extend. You cannot hide from God. More than ADEQUATE. Immutable: GOD CANNOT CHANGE, Hebrews 6:17,18, The promise of blessedness which God has made to believers is not a rash and hasty thing, but the result of God's eternal purpose. (2.) This purpose of God was agreed upon in counsel, and settled there between the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit. (3.) These counsels of God can never be altered; they are immutable. He is the same from everlasting to everlasting. More than ADEQUATE. These are considered the attributes of God, but there is one more very important thing, and some theologians would disagree with this but I don't think the following statement about love is an attribute of God. GOD IS LOVE! This very brief statement is from 1st John 4:18. At His very core, God is Love. Love so great that He gave His Son to die a very cruel death to save us from our sins. More than ADEQUATE! There are many more examples of how God is adequate in Scripture. His promises, hundreds, maybe thousands of them (I didn't count them), but I would challenge you as you come to them in your reading, stop and think of how adequate that particular promise is FOR ME/YOU today. Gary Carruthers (Used with permission)

Martha And Mary Martha and Mary, two sisters together one day. Each sought to follow Jesus in their own unique way; Martha was so busy still, but Mary would not be dismayed: She wanted to spend time with her Master - with Jesus, come what may. Nothing wrong with serving, but what is the end goal of your life? Do you desire the Saviour more than the bustle and the strife? Would you rather be so focussed, with everything placed so neat - Or does your spirit and soul crave to worship at His feet? In all of our opportunities, with each day that we face, What’s the outcome, what’s the priority, when everything finds its place? Did we seek to spend more time with Jesus, love Him more than all these things; Did we fill our hearts with activities or with worshipping our King? Are you more like Martha, or is Mary’s desire more your size - Are you looking at the world, or keeping your eyes upon the prize? Here is your dilemma - I don’t want to be contrary - But whose example will you follow: Is it Martha or is it Mary? January 30, 2024 Jerry Bouey Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

There are many examples of this in the Word of God - God speaking to the nation of Israel or a group of people, then applying it to an individual (or vice-versa). Isaiah 7:11-14 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. The king wouldn’t obey, so God gave a sign to the whole nation. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus but addressing all mankind. Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Satan is going to put all 12 of you through the wringer, but I’ve prayed for you specifically, Peter. Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. The time of persecution would affect the whole church, but the promise is to individuals.