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I was just wondering if everyone on these forums think that demons can possess people? I believe that they can. I realize if your religion is Catholic, you would believe in possessions. I guess this is more direct towards non-Catholics. Thank you all. God bless.

Mark 1:32-34 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

So yes, I can believe the devil can possess people. There are many more verses relating to this. I'm just to lazy today, to type more.

Love is, Christ
Bob

Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Oh, you betcha they can!  A third of all the original angels are now demons (fallen angels) in Satan's domain (the present earth).  That's a lot of demons and they are hard at work hating God - doing all possible to steal a soul.  
You can't believe in God and not believe His nemesis is working against us.  

Take the ACLU for example... Oh - never mind - I already started that thread...    ;D

Yes it is very real!   I have wittnessed it and seen the power of God deliver these people.    Made the hair stand up on the back of my neck, let me tell ya.

As mentioned prior, it is spoken of quite often in scripture as well.   I think its probably more common than we realize.

But as children of God, we should not fear this in our own lives.   We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us and the enemy does not have any claims to Gods children!   ;)    A house cannot stand divided!

Grace and Peace!

Seeing as such things are in the bible, I really don't see how a Christian could NOT beleive in them... :-\ ???

Godwarrior,

The spiritual realm is real. We know that we are in warfare against forces in the spiritual realm. There are actually many people who are possessed by a spirit and dont know it because they do not believe in that stuff. Regardless if you believe it or not, it is still there. The devil's stronghold in America is that people do not believe in the spiritual realm. They believe all problems could be fixed with medication. This era has fallen into full reliance on worldly knowledge and science; believing only in what our limited eyes can see.

But there is definetely something more going on beyond what we can physically see. Just last night I felt the presence of evil near me. I said, "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! Devil, you have no hold on me; depart from me. In the name of Jesus be gone!" While I was in the middle of saying 'In the name of Jesus' I heard growling behind me. At first I thought it was noise from outside but when I finished that sentence it abruptly stopped. I had a lot of comfort that nothing evil could touch me because I am in Christ and Christ is in me. What a barrier of protection!

Praise the Lord that we are in Christ and Christ is in us. People who are possessed by demons are controlled by that demon. However, praise the Lord, we are possessed by God! We are possessed by the Holy Spirit. It is God who controls us! So that's why we are told to walk by our spirit. Because where our spirit is, there God is also.

Phillipians 2:13
For it is God who works IN you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

Being possessed by the Holy Spirit, God is working and operating in you. Taking over your life. That is how you are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. For it is Christ who is living in you. We can do all things in Christ who empowers us! If we turn to our spirit we can more than conquer anything. For...

1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

In all these things, in absolutely all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

I see your question more clearly. Demons are disembodied spirits. So being that they are spirits they can get into people.

The reason spirits can get into people is cause we were made as vessels. We were made to contain God. It is said that in every man there is a God-shaped void. And God dwells in us as the Spirit.

We were made in the image of God; but when we're born and belong to this world that image is empty. That image has fallen short of the glory of God. For instance, consider a glove. A glove is made in the image of a hand; but without a hand to fill it, it is nothing. So what we need to do now is be filled with God. That first starts in our spirit, for God is spirit.

However, since Man is not always filled with God first, Man is certainly open to other spirits. These can enter into man. But praise God if you already belong to Christ; you are already filled with Christ and nothing else can replace Him.

Felix, I've never heard anyone describle the fall in such a manner before.  I like your reasoning.  Seems Biblical.  Never looked at it like that.  Thanks.

Yes, I believe that demons can and do possess people.  Some think they cannot possess a Christian and some think that they can.  I think possession is actually rampant today.  They're cunning.  They come as angels of light sometimes.  

If you think you may be dealing with something like this, please pray and plead the blood of Jesus Christ over whoever it is.

Grace and peace,
cris

 

I think someone needs to give calification on the word Demon?

What it is, what it means.

The Greek Hebrew lexicon has a good definition.

Bible dictionary, Oxford World Dicitionary, Webster's Dictionary.  Let help with solid information.

I believe they exist, because the Word of God says they do.

He Word is undisputed.

Just like Spirit has more than one meaning, so does demon.

Check it out.

>lack<

(http://www.christiantalkzone.net/forum/images/smilies/tiphat.gif) Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus, everyone. I wish to add my "two cents." (http://www.christiantalkzone.net/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)


A cursory search of the New Testament will reveal many references to demons or demonic activity. Plus, as the possessor of spiritual discernment (ref. 1 Corinthians 12:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:10;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=1+Corinthians+12%3A10&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na&Enter=Perform+Search)), I observe demonic activity daily.


I disagree. The fallen angels (ref. Revelation 12:3-4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2012:3-4;&version=31;)) are imprisoned within hell (Jude 1:6 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:6;&version=31;), 2 Peter 2:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202:4;&version=31;)), which logically necessitates that demons are another type of being.


Agreed. Nowhere does Scripture show a fallen angel possessing a person.


During the New Testament Church Age, the Spirit indwells the believer's inner being (Ephesians 3:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%203:16;&version=31;)), while utilizing the believer's body as a temple (1 Corinthians 3:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%203:16;&version=31;), 1 Corinthians 6:19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:19;&version=31;)). Now, how could a demon possess a believer, if God the Spirit controls the believer (Romans 8:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:9;&version=31;))? Moreover, why would God the Spirit share his temple with a demon, especially when 'Elohiym refused to indwell an unclean temple in the Old Testament?


Can you substantiate this assertion with Scriptural prooftexting? Throughout the entire Biblical timeline, only Church Age believers receive the permanent indwelling of God the Spirit.


Agreed. I have seen false believers that misinterpreted demon possession as the indwelling of God the Spirit.

Okay, I am going to be the spoil sport here. The jury in my head is still out on this one. I have read the bible verses on possession, and have seen how psychotic illnesses can be taken as such interpretation. Even autism, by some religions is believed to be a demonic possession. So, do I believe in it? I have a hard time with it AFTER the death of Jesus, other than maybe by those that do not allow Him into their hearts.

I do believe that evil tempts us. I also feel it surround me, especially as I get close and intimate in prayer with our Lord. Some nights I can't even concentrate and I feel a heavy weight on my heart as if something is trying to stop me from speaking to God. I do believe that satan is around us at all times, trying to break what he hates so much--our love for Christ. As far as actually possessing, maybe I saw THE EXORCIST, one too many times and just can't imagine it being so.

I have seen many that sure are evil though. All that mattered to any of them were their own selfish ways and worship of material things.

*moves over while the food fights begin and pies start being thrown at Kelly*

;)

God Bless,
Kelly

To late Kelly, I got ya................................................  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I'll throw a pie at you too Kelly but only for the reason of the last sentence.   ;) ;D ;D ;D

I have also witnessed some pretty strange things.  Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Demons are an interesting subject at times, to me, because there isn't much information about their origins provided in the Bible.  However, I don't worry about such things most of the time. John 14: 20 says "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." And I also fall back on one of my most favorite scriptures Ephesians 6: 10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
Peace!
-Am-
p.s. I once got in trouble as a youngster for tossing food in the cafe at school, so I'll just sit this one out if you guys don't mind! lol!

AMEN -Am-

OK I am throwing in my 2 cents. I have an answer this, but I am having a hard time with my memory so I will say what I think and then if something I said is off I will correct myself. We have studied this and I am trying to remember exactly what my pastor had said, therefore what I say may be correct but may have some facts that are missing something. Demons are real but they are not fallen angels. Demons come from a world before Adam and Eve. Those that lived before Adam and Eve and yes there was life before Adam and Eve, its in the Bible. Anyway, when those who lived before aDam and Eve and before Lucifer decided he wanted to be like God, did not have a soul(?) so when they died they had no place to go, so they roam the universe look for a place to possess. OK I know that is not how he explained it. Scratching head. HMMMMMM. Now I am questioning why are evil. LOL, I need a refresher course from my pastor. LAMS=Laughing at myself (just made that up). Maybe I should just keep my mouth shut until I find out for sure. OH I don't know how to do that, so here it is.
Kathy

To late -Am- you done been got...............................  ;D ;D ;D ;D

It is an ongoing argument amongst theologians and Biblical scolars as to whether fallen angels and demons (daemons in Greek and translated as devils in the NT) are both one and the same. It is accepted by most Christians that they are both the same. The Bible itself is very vague on this and most people base their beliefs on non-Biblical sources . One thing that we can be certain of is that both fallen angels and demons are evil spirits for the Bible does tell us this.


Heb 1:7  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.


Luk 8:2  And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

Hi!
I believe there is overwhelming evil in this world. I believe it will do two things: Take residence in a nonbeliever because they don't have the armor of God on them, nor have they accepted Jesus into their lives. That is a given for me. I do believe that anyone can be engulfed in evil if Christ is not in their hearts, and the Glory of God is not in their lives.

I just can't believe in the word, POSSESSED after Christ and the apostles brought the gentiles and Jews to Christianity. I truly believe that, a strong Christian can be enticed by these demons, right down to pulling them into temptation and allowing in sin--but I don't believe a Christian who is strong in our Lord can be fully possessed by any of them. I don't like to give satan any more credit than he seems to get in our world today. Saying that he is still allowed to possess, to me only opens doors to the Benny Hinns (who will say they are curing through removing demons), and to the strength of evil. With Christ, we are protected by His Power and satan doesn't have a chance if we, as His Children truly believe and confess in His Name. In other words--you can try all you want, but forget it Satan--I am a child of God and Jesus Christ is my Savior--find someone else!

When I get intimate in prayer and am devoted to prayer through the Holy Spirit, I feel overwhelming attacks of evil around me at times. Once I feel that evil, which tries to defeat me with doubt and confusion, I scream out the name of our Lord and profess Him as my Lord and Savior. I then feel peace and know that, through Him, satan and his buddies have no power.

I also believe that, other that the Catholic religion, most organized religions will not perform exorcism, except for the snake-biting types that believe that they are above any other power, including God. Even the Catholic church refrains now from exorcism, unlike the old days when it was much more accepted.

As for food fights, my son got indoor suspension for doing that during a school function. I better not let him see this thread! Mom gave him WHAT FOR when it came to that incident...now I am throwing pies! lol

God Bless,
Kelly

DW,
That is quite the action photograph.  I noticed who ever took that picture captured the food while it was still in the air!  Very good quality! Thats how it started in the cafe in school.......my friend poured his corn portion on me and said "you done been got" LOL! ;D

You didn't by chance go to school in Los Angeles did you? Cause I did that to a friend of mine. :D 

No, the other side of the states in Jersey.  You didn't have any relatives out that way did you?  Maybe someone was inspired by your story!  ;D


Yes Sister,
I too was scolded by my Mom, which did work.  Although if I found out she was starting food fights....hmmmm...that does change the situation.  Best to not let your son see this....LOL! ;D ;D ;D ;D

If that happened in the 1980's, I was in Delta, Pa. I wasn't that far away. Yes a few of my friends knew that story, about me.  Oops............ ;D ;D ;D

1Pe 5:8  Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.

I think that this give a good example of how even after Christ (since this was written after the assention of the risen Lord) that Christ through Peter was warning us of the dangers of the spirits around us. Peter would have been a first hand witness to this fact as Christ cast out demons before him. The devel is in our midst and looking to devour us.

the devour part leaves alot to the imagination.

Sprit warfare is very real. Posession as seen in the bible in countless places is one of the enemys tools.

Be on guard.

BIC

AMEN rookie!!

Okay, I just have to ask...Then I am running very fast! lol

Where I have seen even autism said to be possession, I would like everyone's opinion on they believe is true possession--like an example? Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar, Autism, etc? I use these because, in some religions they are believed to be satanic possession and I don't believe they are..and if autism is, my kids are only possessed by His Holy Spirit and no demons at all! In the name of Jesus Christ I declare this!

I am not talking about the spitting of pea soup and head spinning--although cases like that are SUPPOSEDLY documented in our time. I have just wondered why, except for Catholics, or pagan religionis like voodoo believe in exorcism, but all others have steared clear from it existing. Is it fear of accepting the fact that it does exist that made them all abolish acting upon it, or misconception of what it truly is?

I am just interested on views..As with my other posts, I wait on God to tell me things. As of now, I have not seen anyone possessed--in the context it is meant.

God Bless,
Kelly

I have never heard of any of those, mental disorders being said, to be Possessed.

Hi DW!
Actually, it started out in the dark ages, when people didnt understand mental illness. However, there have been quite a few autistic children, as well as Bipolar and ones with other disorders, taken by certain religious groups as possession. Even with seizures, some have believed that to be possession. Unfortunately, it is true in some cases.

I just dont understand possession I guess. When I have read the bible, it isn't really clear on how they were acting or what they were doing to show possession by demons. I guess I need a clear example as to how I would see applied in today's world.  It's just my faith in God--and believing in His power over everything. I have a hard time believing it could happen in the way possession has been explained to me.

God Bless,
Kelly

Now we get into a topic close to home.

My son Zachary is 11 years old. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 1/2. He is also a believer in Christ. As much as his mind is able he does his best to follow Christ and will tell you about Him at great legnth.

I am a first hand witness to this, these are legitimate mental illnesses, not possesion.

In Christs ministry there were deadly illnesse and paralisis.

Christ healed the sick and made the lame walk. It did not say he cast out their deamons. that was a different situation all together.

Christ can heal my son. He can also let His light shine through Zach, and let that pure faith seen in him be a model for us all.

I have had the privilage to see many handicaped people with more pure faith than I have. They are followers of Christ and so happy to be.

We as the "normal" people may want to take a lesson before trying to cast out their 'demon"

Mat 7:3  You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye.

Luk 17:6  Jesus replied: If you had faith no bigger than a tiny mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree to pull itself up, roots and all, and to plant itself in the ocean. And it would!


Often, I pause to just take a look at the world through Zachs eyes. Everything is right or wrong. there is no gray. He may be mistaken on occasion as children are, and it takes longer for him to understand, but if Gods law is applied, it is easier for him to understand and accept.

I think its harder for me that he is autistic than it is for him ;)

BIC

Hi Bic!
You are extremely blessed. I have 2 autistic children and one with Spastic Dysplegia (mild cp)--5 children in all. My kids are more ABLED than most people I know..not disabled.

God Bless you,
Kelly

Amen Rookie and Kelly.

All people have handicaps. It is just more Some handicaps are just more apparent in some than they are in others depending on what their handicap is. After all we are all in the flesh and none of us are perfect. If any of us were perfect we would not die, we would not make mistakes, we would be able to remember everything ......

There are many handicapped people on this forum. I am one of those. I also have a handicapped daughter. She is educationally handicapped (diagnosed as "retarded" by Drs). She could not get past the 10th grade even in special ed classes. The Drs said she wouldn't get past the 6th grade. Today she is one of the best most caring mothers I have seen. She loves the Lord and is a wonderful living witness for Him.

I have seen those that are possessed. They are filled with pure evil. Many of these individuals do not even know why they do the evil things they do. Some do not understand what they have done is evil while others do at least know what they did was evil. As one such person told me, "It was a heinous act, I just don't know why I did it." Without Christ in our hearts we are susceptible to having evil move in. With Christ in our hearts there is no room for evil, for evil cannot abide where Christ does.

These children are blessings.  Yes, pausing to take a look at the world through their eyes.  I have learned much from these things.............."let us remember who it was that made lame beggars walk and blind men see." (Dickens)  Yes, I keep my eyes and heart focused on Heaven.

Peace to you all
-Am-

Brothers and Sisters,

I'm reflecting on some people I know who would be considered handicapped or disabled by the world, but I can't help but think that GOD simply considered them to be special. GOD gave many of them ministries that touched everyone around them, and I'm thinking they did what most completely "abled" people could NOT do. One of my very close friends did not want to be known as handicapped or disabled, rather just "differently abled". GOD used him to touch hundreds of completely "abled" young people and thousands of "differently abled" people around the world. He died at the age of 22 with brain cancer, and he was a mighty witness for JESUS all the way up to his last days.

I am also "differently abled", but I didn't have any health or physical problems most of my life. I understand a few more things now and look at health and physical abilities differently than I did when I was younger. I'm not even hinting that I understand the plan and purpose GOD has for people with varying health and physical abilities. I simply know that GOD does use what the world might consider to be broken in mighty ways. I'm looking back and remember how many times that my 22 year old friend encouraged me. He was always happy and very positive about JESUS, even in the worst times of illness. He had a very difficult time even talking, but all of his friends really wanted to hear what he had to say. He also had a very difficult time in typing messages, but dying and disabled people around the world were always waiting for the next message he typed. Some so-called "normal" and unsaved people thought that GOD was punishing him for some reason, but isn't the opposite quite possible? I don't claim to understand it, but I say that the opposite WAS TRUE! GOD used Jay to lead many young people to Christ. GOD also used Jay to comfort and encourage many people who were dying or disabled. SO, was Jay disabled, or was Jay perfectly "abled" for GOD'S plan and purpose? Jay wasn't disabled at all in GOD'S Eyes, so what does it matter what men think?

I hope that I didn't say anything to hurt anyone's feelings, as that was not my intention at all. I really wanted to share some thoughts about Almighty God. We aren't supposed to understand all of HIS ways, plans, and purposes. If we pray and really want to yield, GOD will reveal portions of what HE wants for us in HIS time and in HIS way. We should always remember that our time in this life is short, and we are just passing through to our real citizenship in Heaven. Our physical bodies of flesh are only for temporary use, and we know that GOD will give all HIS children glorified bodies at HIS appointed time. For NOW, isn't it sufficient to simply know that GOD will use us if we yield, and HE will equip us for the work HE wants done?

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 104:33-34 NASB  I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.  Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.

There is a lesson here.  I think in the post above PR mentioned that we are all "handicapped in some way," and our Loving Savior knew it and paid the price OUT OF LOVE for us.  We all may have physical ailments, or mental ailments, but I noticed myself pausing today and looking at the people around me.  People at the coffee shop, colleagues at work, friends, family, all the people I have watched with my eyes.  All of these people are children of GOD (some just don't know it yet and I pray that their eyes will be opened soon).  What a wonderful, wonderful creator we have who has completely equipped his children, in all ways, to use "us" if we yield and equip us for His work.  Amen to that!

Rom 9:21  Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?

So many places Gad has told us that he made us all unique and perfectly designed for His plan and purpose.

HE designed us, who are we to say to God that this person or that is "flawed"

I love that this thread has become a harmonious tribute to the will of our almighty and powerful God!

Praise to Him for our unique abilities and testimony given us by Him......... :'(..............His plan.............His way...............His time.


I also love the spell cheack ;D

I love the God of Israel and the world. The God of all, my God, my Savior, where I pray my heart be always!

I pray all find the peace we all feel in Him.

??? ??? ???

Now that is funny.    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I though so as well brother.........  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Was going to fix that since I spell checked before I typed it................

thought..no its funny that way ;)

 ;D ;D ;D

  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

well the honest truth is that the spell check can only check what you already know, if you don't know how to spell a word and the spell check offers different choices how would you know which was the right one? Now in my case it's just a lot of typos, that most of us don't really care about cause se all do them. Now if the spell check police was back she'd have us all in slow motion typing. (HMMM I wonder where is she and did she ever mispell anything?)  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Brothers and Sisters,

This is a beautiful thread, and I enjoyed reading it again. I have been blessed to meet and know many people who are "differently abled". In many ways, I think they are gifts to everyone around them. I'm thinking about a local school for the handicapped right now. "Handicapped" is part of the name for the school, and I many times wish they had chosen a different name, but the same name has been known for over 50 years. The students they serve has changed a couple of times, but my best memories were when they served a wide range of students with physical and mental problems. As an example, they have a core group of kids with downs syndrome who have gone to the school for many years. Some of those kids are now in their 50s and 60s and school is still a high point in their life. Many of them still need help in tying their shoes, but they have some unusual qualities that are quickly recognized by anyone near them. If someone wants a definition for "happy" and "love", let them look in this school. It's easy for the school to get volunteers once anyone has spent some time in the school. The question for these volunteers is "do they give, or do they receive?" I think that they receive.

I remember many children with cerebral palsy and many other dreaded diseases. Many of the children did not live into their teen years, but they gave much to everyone around them for the short years they had. The point is "how many things do they have to teach us?" I remember many of them talking about JESUS, and some of them knew they would be seeing JESUS soon. We think that things are difficult for us and we feel sorry for ourselves from time to time. Do we have a reasonable point of reference to judge if we really should be feeling sorry for ourselves? PROBABLY NOT... Now, here's a mystery that I wish that I knew more about:  many of these children were suffering and knew they were dying, but they didn't feel sorry for themselves. They were an inspiration to others and they actually taught so-called normal people how to live. Many of them also had some of the strongest testimonies for CHRIST that I've ever heard. If you haven't already guessed, there's nothing to be feeling sorry for yourself if you're going to JESUS for eternity. Putting everything into a proper perspective, Christians should be the happiest people on earth, and there really isn't ever a reason for Christians to feel sorry for themselves.

I've thought many times about how much extra effort is required by many people just to make it through a day. I've tried to compare that effort and think about what completely abled people would be capable of if they put out equal effort. I know it would be amazing, especially in good works by a Christian for GOD. This brings up a related question that many people have about dying Christians who linger on and on. Maybe they served GOD most of their lives and others think that GOD should go ahead and take them home to end their suffering. Well, I think that many of us have the answer: GOD still has work for them to do in this life. This is a very difficult thing for many young Christians to understand, but it really makes perfect sense if you think about it. ALMIGHTY GOD knew exactly how many seconds each one of us would live before the foundation of the world, and HE also knew exactly what we would do in our last days, hours, and minutes. It really becomes a very simple matter:  GOD'S WILL be done, and it will be!

We will be praying for the parents here who have children with various problems. We will also be praying for the children. Nobody can say that they understand unless they are standing in your shoes, but we do know beyond any doubt that everything works out for good to them who love GOD. Only GOD knows how much of a positive impact they will have on those around them.


Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 3:11-13 NASB  This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

Amen brother Tom!
I think the Lord puts many special people and special issues (these both go beyond just those who are differently abled) in our lives to see how we react to them.  Is that not the true majesty of our Lord at work!  I have looked back in my own life at my reflections on these issues and have learned just how much the Holy Spirit works in me.  I can tell you that through these experiences I feel I understand the word "beautiful."  May all of the Lord's children be blessed.  I can not wait until we are all with our new bodies and with our Lord!  So I would be a vote for the "receives."
Blessings!
-Am-

AMEN -Am- AMEN!!

Amen!

Real beauty is on the inside, and it grows. It can't be taken away with age, and GOD will perfect it at HIS chosen time. So, real beauty is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in and through us. What the world calls beautiful fades away and dies like a flower in the field. What GOD calls beautiful grows and is eternal. This reality is explained with the presence of our LORD and SAVIOUR who is "altogether lovely."

Love In Christ,
Tom