I wanna debate the debate!!!!! *stomps feet and pouts*

Now, I throw a pie, just cuz I wanna! My free will! 

Hi Dave,
As I said, I won't debate it any further--for I have my beliefs and, if I am way off, God will tell me when it is His Time to do so. I just know that, I was of no faith for seven years. I felt His touch one day and responded to it. That is the key--I could have ignored it (as I have friends that do that when they feel God but say it isn't so and reject it), or I had the choice to follow His lead. I chose that lead. God just left it open for me to make that choice.

I believe God will let us do what we want to do, knowing all along those that will never be saved and those that will open their heart to do so. I believe He gives us a choice, right down to a sin that, even though we know it is wrong or have done it before, we choose to do it anyway. God knows what our choice will be, long before we make it. However, he allows us to go through those and then, if we choose to go to Him with it, He will lead us with His Light and continue to do so as His Children.

If I am wrong, I will find out and there will be no questions--only answers. That is the day that I rejoince in, when pain and suffering on earth are no more!

God Bless,
Kelly

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

Hi Tim!
I admit to avoiding going further on this subject. As I talk about it with those that love Jesus, it doesn't seem right. I use my knowledge to help those COME to Jesus that are following these beliefs, so I can show them all the truth of His Word. However, I hate talking about the beliefs in context of it seeming to promote it. Their beliefs are wrong and can be used towards promoting more evil. I try not to give satan any credit, and paganism (wiccan, for one) is giving him credit for they are created with his name stamped all over them.

What JW's believe and how they believe are not important, since their beliefs are false--plain and simple. I don't trust anyone that doesn't refer to biblical (our Bible..the real Word of God) text, which has the actual truth in it. Nowhere does God say that we must go home to home, with fire and brimstone pamphlets in twos. As far as I know, the only twos that were commanded were the animals on Noah's Ark (and I always wondered how he dealt with that smell all those years..lol).

False doctrine is everywhere. We know that Christ died on a cross, made of wood from trees. We know that He suffered, died and was buried, only to rise again in His Glory, 3 days later. whatever else is told is untrue, so I don't even listen or discuss it. That is exactly what they want--us to discuss so they can jump right in and defend their pagan beliefs. I just use their pamphlets for firewood, take out my blood donor card and say, "Nice to meet you..I am a Christian who follows the Holy Bible and Love Jesus". That usually works--they avoid my house like the plague! lol

As for MOTE..it means Will..Might...a pagan way of saying amen, if you will, mixed in with WHEN TWO OR MORE AGREE. YUCK to mote!

God Bless,
Kelly

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

Hi Dave,
I am not disagreeing with anyone. I am one of those types that believe in God knowing all and Him being mysterious. We can debate all we want but, when the time comes God will reveal it to us all. We can debate anything in human terms but only God knows the truth about every situation. When Jesus returns soon, earth and heaven shall be the same (Our Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven). I am simply waiting on His Truth to be told to us, as promised. I debate nothing of what anyone says. I just wait on God.

I BELIEVE (me, myself and I) that, God gave us all free will. He did NOT give us faith, per se but the ability to have faith. He gave us choice on whether to follow that faith and come to Him or, to defy Him and go our own way. When the day of His return to earth, those that chose not to follow Him will be dealt with according to His Wrath.

I do believe faith is a gift. However, like any gift that is received we have a choice on whether to turn it in for something we think we want more (which usually turns out to be the wrong choice in human terms) or, we accept it with all the love and Grace it came with. I don't believe in predestiny, but only that God does know our destiny. It is up to us whether to follow His Path that we are given with Grace and by His being a sovereign God. He allows us to stumble, but it is up to us whether we take His hand and get up, or completely to fall from that Grace.

I stumble many times but reach up and the hand of God is right there for me. Praise Jesus!

Those are MY beliefs. If they are way off, God will let me know in His Time. As of now, all I feel I have to do is believe in Him, Worship Him, Follow His lead and continue to grasp for His Hand when I make the wrong choices.

God Bless,
Kelly

[WHAT ARE THE DECREES OF GOD?]

What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty, election, predestination, and man's free will?

 

 
 See this page in: Spanish (Español)
WHAT IS GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY?
Sovereignty is God's absolute and exclusive right to exercise authority in the universe (I Chron 29:11-12; I Sam 2:6-8; Psa 50:10-11). He holds this prerogative because of the perfections of His character and because of His position as creator and governor of the universe. As creator, His dominion is perfect and His decrees are final. Because of his authority as governor, He is to be obeyed.

WHAT ARE THE DECREES OF GOD?

The decrees of God are a name for His eternal purpose, based on His most wise and holy counsel. By these decrees, He freely and unchangeably ordained all that comes to pass. His decrees include both those things that are ordained efficaciously (that is, by God using His power to produce an intended effect) and those that are ordained permissively.

WERE THERE SEVERAL DECREES?

To speak precisely, no. Some prefer to use the singular term "decree." God has one plan, in which He used His ability to be fully aware of past, present and future simultaneously. He saw it all at once, and He ordained it all at once.
However, to study it and discuss it, we separate the parts that were included in it. God's plan included the decision to:


Create all - including angels and all humans;
Permit the fall - of both Satan and his angels, and Adam;
Provide salvation - for all people (John 1:29);
Elect some (those who believe), and leave in just condemnation those who do not believe (John 1:11-13);
Apply salvation - to all who believe (John 5:24).
WHAT ARE THE TWO OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS UNDER THE QUESTION OF DECREES?

The presence of sin in the world.

If God is the efficient cause of all that is, then He is the author of sin; and if He is the author of sin, how can it be morally right for Him to condemn man to an endless hell for doing what He caused him to do?

The freedom of the will.
Does the decree to save some overrule the freedom of the human will? Does God simply choose me to be saved, or do I have the freedom to choose for or against Him?
HOW DO WE ANSWER THE PROBLEM OF THE PRESENCE OF SIN IN THE WORLD?
We need to distinguish between efficacious decrees, which actually make things happen through physical causes, and permissive decrees, which God does not actually promote. His permissive will permits Him to permit whatever He thinks fit to permit (or to not hinder). Whatever He permits, He also intends to regulate and use ultimately to bring about wise and great purposes of His own.

DID GOD KNOW WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO ABOUT SIN WHEN HE PERMITTED ITS EXISTENCE?

He permitted sin in the light of what He knew would be the nature of sin, or what sin would do to the creature, and of what He would have to do if He was to save anyone.

[Why is the world the way it is? (filled with oppression, death and cruelty) If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, would He really create a world like this? Answer]

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR GOD TO PERMIT SIN AND YET NOT BE THE AUTHOR OF SIN?

Sin was permitted, but God did not cause or necessitate it. This is demonstrated by:
The threatenings of punishment for sin (Gen 2:17; Ex 34:7; Ecc 11:9; 2 Thess 1:7-8). Punishment for sin implies personal responsibility.
The declarations of the psalmist (Psa 78:29-31; 106:15).
The statements of Paul (Acts 14:16; 17:30-31).
The holy character of God that separates Him from all sin (Lev 11:44; Heb 12:10).
WHAT POSSIBLE PURPOSES COULD SERVE BY PERMITTING SIN?
First, that men might recognize its evil, enslaving character (Rom 1:18-32). Second, that God might demonstrate His grace (Rom 5:20-6:2). And third, that the principle of evil might be brought into complete and final judgment (Acts 17:30-31).

DOES THE DECREE TO SAVE OVERRULE THE FREEDOM OF THE WILL?

The Bible says that the unregenerate are energized by Satan (Eph 2:2) and that God works in the regenerate (Phil 2:2). Yet the individual is not conscious of any necessity being imposed upon him. Therefore human choice of both good and evil originates within the person's own volition or will; it is free in the sense that he is conscious only of his own freedom of action. We are never as uninfluenced as we think.
Much perplexity remains as to the precise way that the individual's part and God's part in salvation relate. Yet it is clear that God's influence on the unsaved must be exercised if they are ever going to turn to Him in saving faith (John 6:44; Rom 3:23-26; Eph 2:8-9).


HOW DO WE KNOW THAT GOD FREES MAN'S WILL SO HE CAN TURN TO GOD?

The exhortations to turn to God (Prov 1:23; Isa 31:6; Ezek 14:6; Matt 18:13; Acts 3:19).
The exhortations to repent (I Kings 8:47; Matt 2:3; Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38).
The exhortations to believe (II Chr 20:20; Isa 43:10; John 6:29; 14:1; Acts 16:31).
The exhortations to obey (Acts 5:32; II Thess 1:8; Heb 5:9).

WHAT IS “GRACIOUS ELECTION”?
Gracious election is the sovereign act of God by which from all eternity He graciously chose in Christ Jesus for Himself, and on account of no foreseen merit, certain sinful ones to be the recipients of His special saving grace (John 1:11-13; 15:16; Acts 13:48; Rom 9:20; Eph 1:4; II Thess 2:14).

Author: Paul E. Eymann, distinguished Professor of Bible.

 










   

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

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

 
Hey, how did I end up back in this? You two were doing very well on your own! lol

Bro, I don't consider my life suffering. I think I would worry if it was all grand and dandy, because I was either missing something or completely dead! On the contrary my life, with God in control is very blessed. As long as I have Jesus in my life, there is no suffering here. I would be suffering without Him!

Lucky, your wife is very blessed! The way that you worded how precious you are spending the time that God gave you made me smile! Have a great time spending time together. See you when you get back.

God Bless,
Kelly

Hey Tim..I have been waiting up all night for that question! lol No, really..bad storms here and I tend to think of them as a show of God's Mighty Power. I love them!

I was brought up catholic, but my mother was agnostic. My grandmother forced the religion on me, per se, by making me attend her church. However, I was pretty much cast out from there, during the 60's when divorce was not something accepted. Once, I was pulled into a corner for saying that my mother was divorced. I was told that, she would burn in hell and if I didn't want to do the same, I would declare my father as DEAD and not speak of her "sin" again.

I rebelled later on by joining Wiccan, which, at the time seemed accepting of me. That was something I craved at the time and in Massachusetts, finding a nonCatholic church at the time, where I lived was almost impossible.

Wiccan doesn't do a baptizm, but does have a ritual much like the way Catholics baptize babies--they welcome the newborn into our world, but the decision to become wiccan is not made at that time. The child must reach maturity before he or she can join. Each coven is different, depending on their type of magic used--white, black, etc. I, thank God didn't stay long enough to see too many. I did see the Halloween ritual at midnight, and a few others that I am sorry I used to be enthralled by. Now, they make me sick. They have a ritual for almost everything, from a woman's first period to menopause. You name it, there is a ritual to be performed.

Wiccan's do not refer to themselves as Pagans, but as NEOpagans. They like to believe they are a conglomeration of many religions, reaching a common bond for "the good of all people". Instead of AMEN they use, SO MOTE IT BE. Supposedly, without those words at the end, the ritual means nothing, or doesn't have enough power.

As for JW's, I have two relatives in the family that are JW's. They will not stay at a family function (Or wouldn't, back when I used to see them, many years ago) if a priest, Rabbi or Pastor comes in. They won't participate or respect any other belief but their own. My cousin lived in a commune of sorts, with her BROTHERS AND SISTERS, where they shared a phone, computer, food, etc. My uncle gave up his job in Monocco, where he worked for Onassis directly, and gave what wealth he had and all his pension from serving in the Marines to the JW Kingdom Hall. They would come into my grandmother's home and disrespect everything, from her beliefs to Jesus ("Your Jesus is a pagan god. Jesus was hung on a tree, not a cross"). When she needed blood for a transfusion during heart surgery, he refused to give (HER OWN BROTHER!) because it was EATING OR SHARING OF HUMAN FLESH. But boy, slam a door in their face and YOU are being rude!

There is little difference between JW's, Mormons, Islam, Hindu, Buddahism, and Wiccan's, IMHO. They all preach the same thing--lies. The only true God is OUR GOD, and Jesus is OUR ONLY LORD AND SAVIOR, who will COME AGAIN and take all of us that follow HIM home. Praise Jesus!

God Bless,
Kelly

Faith becomes a gift from God when we have faith in Him. His gift of Grace and Mercy is upon us. What greater gift than the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior? No, faith alone is not a gift, but a choice for us to either have or to have not. However, it becomes a gift when we have faith in our Father for, we then receive all His gifts that come free once we become His faithful child.

I think that is what is meant. It is up to each of us to gain this gift. We only have to do one thing: Profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Through Him, we come to the Father. Our gifts are priceless and unexplanable, for they are infinite when our God gives these gifts to us.

In other words, you can chose not to follow God and receive his gifts, but you will not enjoy salvation without that faith. Once you have faith in our Lord and Savior and come to Him, your gifts are countless. I personally am proud to receive ALL his gifts, for I am not worthy of this but receive it because of His Unconditional Love and Grace that is given to me.

God Bless,
Kelly

Since the killing of the Al-Queda leader, I have noticed more Muslim's speaking out about their religion. I have also noticed that, women are doing most of the speaking. I would guess that this is being done because, women are usually not allowed to speak out, for they are a "lesser" being than man in strict Islam. Having a woman speak makes it look like, to me they are making us believe that it isn't as strict as it used to be about women.

Anyway, there have been many reports from Islam stating that, we Christians have it all wrong; they are NOT about anything but love of their fellow man. They seem to be trying, once again to put Christianity down and promoting their own religion as being the TRUE religion of love instead.

Of course, that is how it is coming across to me. Personally, I have nothing against the Muslims, other than knowing that, their religion is a false one and Christianity being the ONLY true Word of God.

God Bless,
Kelly

Hi Tim,
Sorry I didnt see this until now.

I have a hard time talking about wiccan because of my own anger at myself for following it during my "young, stupid time". I praise Jesus for saving me and letting me see the evil in it--of course, Wiccan high priestesses and priests will deny any evil in it, saying it is all about nature, but it also studies the kabala, which has so much evil references in it. I can't see how they can say that "spells" are not evil.

Anyway, the watchtower can be summed up as follows:

In Wicca, when casting the magickal circle, one calls upon various "Watchtowers" to guard the circle; four in total, each representing both a direction and an element associated with that direction (i.e. The Watchtower of the East is the tower of Wind). Each Watchtower has a Guardian Spirit that is set to watch over that point of the circle.


Notice how MAGICKAL is spelled here--it is only spelled this way in Wiccan, so they don't have any reference to the biblical meaning of MAGIC. This assumes that, it is not related to the evil way of magic explained in the bible.

Also notice that, WATCH TOWER and Jehovah's Witnesses go together as well. That is the name of their newsletter that they go to houses with during their DOOR TO DOOR sales of their religion. Watchtower always was a place to guard against evil, but through a supernatural way of explanation that is not DIVINE Intervention, but of human's acting through enhanced powers. Watchtower derives from the wiccan term, as you can see here.

This is why I have fun with the JW's when they come to my house. I bring up the watchtower, and it's reference in Wiccan. Of course, I now have a big sign on the door that states..CHRISTIAN LIVES HERE..NO SOLICITATION OF OTHER RELIGIONS ALLOWED. The word CHRISTIAN deters them, but I like to give a zing to their DOOR TO DOOR sales as well. I have realized that, they cannot be reasoned with, even though they have every definition of a cult, down to giving all their money to their Kingdom Hall and living together/sharing resources like phones and food with only their own.

I used to be really mean and put, "I gave blood today because I love my fellow brothers and sisters". That usually kept them away too.

Anyway, that is what the watchtower was in Wiccan, and is still the same today, but now used by more than just the Wiccan religion.

Praise Jesus that we only need His Name, and no symbols or false beliefs! We just need HIM!

God Bless,
Kelly

I guess we could put our human logic to great depth on this commandment. If you think about it, right down to pictures of our family and kids could be taken as not allowed, since they are all made from God's mighty hand. The cross couldn't be put up in a church, for it originally was made of a tree, that comes from the earth. Our houses would be barren, since everything in it comes from something of the earth.

I always took this as: Putting roses under a statues of Mary or Jesus or Joseph or any of those that are put at an alter in a home or church, and then praying to it. Then again, I could be totally wrong.

Truth is that, when Jesus came, he explained the importance, summed up from the commandments: Love thy neighbor as yourselves. If you do, none of the commandments will be broken.

I am not saying the commandments shouldn't be followed, but that they are combined as one law by Jesus: Loving your neighbors as you do yourselves. In that commandment, we couldn't break any of the other laws.

I haven't had a lot of coffee so, bear with me as I try to find my brain cells and post the right words.

God Bless,
Kelly