*Light*

Ban Rosie because I had to deal with him appropriately when he had called his wife all sorts of bad names in front of others.

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight. (Colossians 1:20-22)

Thanks Jim and Alan! He wrote what he may have thought to be a "doctoral dissertation" in a PM to me; and it had so many holes in it that I lost count. I've never encountered anyone who has taken scripture out of context as egregiously as he had done. There was no point in trying to reason with him as it was quite clear that he has crossed his rubicon, and his heart has been crystalized. The devil has taken him captive through doctrines of devils. The SDA's believe in soul sleep, and that one can lose their Salvation; something which is not taught in scripture if one does their homework instead of having their head stuck in the sand with, "Don't confuse me with the facts; my mind is already made up!" He will answer to the Lord, and he will be WITHOUT excuse as MANY had warned him to repent, and he failed to take heed.

God Bless!

1 hour ago, Jordan Kurecki said:

I believe Ginosko is very similiar to the Hebrew Yada, which is the same word used when Adam "knew" Eve. Knowing God is an intimate relationship.

You make a good point, Jordan. I believe the LXX Septuagint translates the verb "Ginisko" for the word "Yada" if my memory serves me right, so I absolutely agree with you.

The author of that article points out the Greek verb "know" (ginosko) but doesn't really expound upon it. He merely describes it as a "personal" experience; and it is not what he says, but what he does NOT say. Everyone has a "personal" relationship with God. God has a personal relationship with Satan as well as all unbelievers; because God "knows" the inward parts of a person to the most precise detail. To know God is not just "experiencing" God . . . it is also a "saving" relationship with the Creator. 

God Bless!

I pretty much said the same words you said (almost verbatim) when he private messaged me. There's usually a corollary with bad fruits and bad doctrine, and the tragedy in all of this is that these "fruits" are being grown on a tree which is deeply rooted. There's a lot of fruits out there in the world that are appealing to the eyes, but when eaten . . . they can bring about a slow and painful death to the person ingesting it.

God Bless!

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the thankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:32-35)

These such people are not set free fron the clutches of sin; but rather they are ensnared by it and not know it.

Ban Rosie because he also walks around in a shepherd's robe with a staff in his hand.

That truly is sad, Jordan! The Satan despises hymns that contain doctrinal truth in them; so he tries to remove them hoping that no one will notice. Both the music and the lyrics contained in almost all CCM are sensual and carnal and have almost nothing to do with Glorifying God. These supposed Christians who listen to CCM will have the same reaction while listening to secualr music, and I have experienced this many times before.

The fact that someone would actually believe that it's unnecessary to live in obedience demonstrates that they do not love the Lord.

Ban Rosie because I once knew a man named "Elijah" who said that Jesus Christ will return in 3065 in a spaceship.

Why do so many Christians doubt their Salvation if God's promises are never to be broken? It concerns me a great deal that there are many genuine Christians who are indeed saved but feel as if they're not at times.

Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath [present tense] everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed [perfect tense] from death unto life. (John 5:24) 

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know [perfect tense] that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)

The "perfect tense" in the Greek refers to a completed action that no longer needs to be repeated. The above verses is a guarantee that we can know (at the present moment) that we possess Eternal Life; and that it is a "done" deal. Christian's have doubts, many believers do have them. In my observation and experience, this is a result of a failure to grow spiritually after being saved, and allowing instead the influences of the world to intrude and compromise the basic truths that attend to salvation and the ministry of the Spirit (Jn. 15:5; Col. 1:9-10; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:1-25; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; 3:17-18; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). That is not the same thing as apostasy, however. But it does mean that such a believer is vulnerable. In fact, we are all vulnerable when we are not vigilantly pursuing spiritual growth. When we are making it a habit to pray, read our Bibles, and attend to solid Bible teaching -- and believe it -- we find that doubts receded as we grow closer to Jesus Christ (cf. Rom. 1:11-12; 2 Cor. 8:7; 10:15; Col. 2:5-7; 2 Thess. 1:3; Heb. 13:7; et al.). The clearer He is to our spiritual vision, the less there is to doubt. If we are keeping our eyes on Him, we are not going to sink no matter how rough the sea and waves and no matter how strong the wind, but if we let our vision stray away from Him and towards the threats around us, we will begin to sink straightaway . . . and will find ourselves streaking back to the boat (Isa. 26:3; Ps. 119:37; Prov. 29:18; 1 Cor. 10:13; Eph. 1:18; Phil. 3:14; Heb. 12:1-2). And there is no progress in the boat. How do we mature believers have certainty? We believe the truth we have learned much more than what our eyes see, what our ears hear, and what our feelings feel. We believe the Word of God.

God Bless!

They will most likely fall into the category of those whom Jesus rejects as workers of iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).

Ban Rosie because these date setters take away the imminency of Jesus' return.

Even more troublesome is that there is a sect of Christians (Antinomianism) who believe that they can sin all they want without repenting; turning the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ into lasciviousness.

Ban Rosie because I can't understand why there are so many date setters on when Christ will come for His bride.

How firm a foundation: By John Rippon

1 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

2 "In every condition, in sickness, in health,
in poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth,
at home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
as days may demand, shall thy strength ever be."

3 "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."

4 "When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

5 "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."

6 "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!"

Some lady at my job would bring chili (without beans) and some rice; and we would pour it over the rice and eat it just like that. Very tasty!

I live about 1/4 block away from them. It somewhat irks me when they allow for their friends to park in my parking zone. There's also a sign that reads "No trespassing" -- but that seems to be ignored.

Ban Rosie because I truly believe that the Lord will come for His bride very soon.

 I don't know if they have electric scooters in other parts of the world; but here in California (more often in the suburbs), I see them more often than bicycles. I suppose the reason behind this is to encourage people to utilize an alternate mode of transportation. What's good about these electric scooters is that you can drop off these scooters when you arrive at your destination.

I certainly hope and pray that this man's heart is not hardened at this time. It grieves me to know that those who refuse to repent from their sins and false doctrines end up in a Christless and Eternal hell.  Tomorrow isn't guaranteed for anyone, and if this man's heart is still soft . . . then he should use this opportunity to humble himself before the Lord.

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:9-14)

God Bless!

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (Titus 3:10-11)

I agree with what Jordan said above: That any visiting member should disclose as to what denomination or religious sect that they are associated with. Someone can be part of an organized cult right under our noses and we can be completely oblivious to it. I try not to pass judgment on anyone unless their "fruits" clearly show that they are part of a cult -- or not. The word "cult" in English (of Latin derivation) is not a technical term in which some may understand it as. And it doesn't matter in any case because God deals with everyone as an individual. He can be a member of a Bible believing, Bible teaching group but he will not go to heaven if he does not believe in Jesus Christ. He can be sucked into a cult as a believer, but he will not go to hell if he dies with his faith in Jesus Christ still intact ( a "sign" of a TRUE believer). The issue is Jesus Christ. Believers are saved. Unbelievers are not saved.     

He that believeth oh him is not condemned: but [he that believeth not is condemned already], because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)

There are only two religions in this world: One by "human" achievement; and the other by "Divine" accomplishment (cf. Jn. 4:10; Rom. 5:15; 6:23; 10:9-10; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:20-22; 2 Cor. 9:15; Gal. 1:4; 3:13; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). Keeping the commandments out of our love for God, and keeping the commandments to earn Salvation are as far as east is from the west. And all works-based Salvation is putting the cart before the horse -- and pride is usually the culprit behind such false religions. Our Lord's words above are pretty clear, it seems to me. Without a detailed interrogation, we cannot know if a person X who is a nominal Mormon or Jehovah's Witness believes in Jesus Christ or not. I actually met several "Catholics" (although rare, and by "name" ONLY) that truly believed in Salvation by Grace through Faith. One would think that a person of legitimate faith would be repulsed by that works-based religion and flee. But it is also true that people do not necessarily believe the teachings of the groups to which they belong. If a person does not believe that they are saved through faith in Jesus Christ and thus do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, that He is the God-man who died for their sins and that have accepted that Gift by grace through faith alone, then said person is NOT a believer, and only believers are saved. It's not a good sign whenever someone is involved in organized religion and some forms of that (like the one mentioned above) are clearly worse than others from the standpoint of salvation and spiritual growth. But in terms of being a believer or not, that is the fundamental question, and unless the person tells us -- and tells us the truth -- only the Lord can know that.

God Bless!