It's often the cracked pots that are blessed by God - they do not exalt themselves and instead allow God to take full control.

Gaurav

Hello
Has anyone heard this song before? I think it would be more popular in the US but it has become my favourite hymn. Beautiful theology.

Gaurav

I meant pray against, not 'pay against'.

Woops
Gaurav

I think I will have to pay against a $600 phone bill (although) 

Hello Gaurav,

God can do whatever He wants whenever He wants. He can turn stony hearts to hearts of flesh and He can use whoever He chooses to plant the seeds that may break those stones down. It is not up to us but rather completely up to Him. We are told to preach the Gospel to every creature. I am sure that includes even muslims as there were no exceptions given.

Yes, beautifully put. How unfortunate that I did not recognise this sooner. I praise God that I understand this now.


Bless you
Gaurav

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Hello
I am sure that there may already be some thread on this subject but I have chosen to begin one myself. For many years I felt that it was impossible to witness to muslims, as they are "so set in their ways." Unfortunately God seems to have a way of tackling and challenging your beliefs. I use the term 'unfortunately' as this is a great challenge for me! The more I have spoken to God, the more He reveals.

I find a threefold problem when trying to witness to muslims and this is from birth:
1) At birth, all muslim children have Quran scripture whispered into their ear. This I believe is our first spiritual battle - parents enforce the spirit of Islam into the lives of young children.
2) Cultural practises have become ingrained into the religion - this results in black magic and witchcraft practices. This is of the flesh and calling upon spirits, which are often termed as 'jins'.
3) Finally, there is a constant need to argue. A muslim has their scriptures planted in their heart and quote anything back at you. If you quote something back, they quote louder.

All these points led me to believe that it was impossible to save most muslims, and I use the term 'most' as I have never thought that they were entirely cut off from God's grace. Then I was reminded of my father's testimony. He came to the UK when he was young - a young Brahmin Hindu. He lived a terrible life in the UK with his aunt but his belief in hindusim never wavered. Coming to the UK was the best thing that happened to him - he became a Christian! And believe me, there was much of his nature that was very un-Christian. Due to that one incident, his entire family, myself included, have accepted God into their lives. Prasie the Lord!

Had my dad remained in India, I am pretty sure this change would not have happened. This led me to think about muslims. Most nations in the Arab world, to some extent with the expception of Israel, do not allow religious tolerance, take Iran and Pakistan for example. Yet there are many people who have moved from these nations to the UK. Why? I think it is because God wants to reach them. Nevertheless, the three points mentioned above, are great stumbling blocks. It seems too easy that those three thinbgs make it difficult but there is a greater spiritual battle behind Islam.

It is to that end that I have come to the conclusion that there are two key ways to witness to muslims. Firstly it is by living a life of holiness and righteousness before God and showing that it is only by God's grace, not a law, that we are set three. The second way is through spiritual battles or warfare to call it another term. Our prayers have the ability to break the power of the enemy and I believe we are called to break these powers.

I would like to sum up by saying that I have not written this message for no good reason - I have written it so that we can overcome our prejudices, as I am in the process of doing. I think that witnessing is difficult if we are prejudiced and prejudice I believe comes from satan, as it prevents us from treating people equally with God, as God treats us.

Finally, please do not post any links as advice for me, unless you believe that God has given you the  advice to do so. I have waited on God for answers and I believe that I have heard from Him.

Let me know how you feel about this subject.

Love in Christ
Gaurav

Amen! I very much agree with this. Our lives are the biggest testimonies that we have and it is the biggest evangelical tool that we can use. As a result of our testimony, we are able to break the powers of darkness because of God's goodness and the fact the Christ has already had the victory.

However, I do believe the we ought to live our lives by wanting to live in righteousness, not so that we can evangelise but so that we can get closer to God. Moreover, so that we can live the life that God has intended for us - that needs restoring, because of the sin that corrupted our hearts and minds.

God Bless
Gaurav

Hello.
I think you have already been given the advice that you need. I simply want to reiterate that you must wait on God - I think in a situation like this, you should do nothing. If it is Father's will that you two get back together, then something will be planted in your heart that is so strong, that you will have to get back together.

On the other hand, Father may have done this, as He has something else that He wants you to experience. It could be a situation that He needs to deal with so that He can move you onto a greater experience with Him. Foremost, I think you need to trust in God and lay problems before Him. This is a lesson that I believe God wants you to learn from what you are going through.

The final point that I would like to make is that there may well be some type of illegitimate authority in your relationship. By this I do not mean an evil spirit, I mean that Father may well not be in the relationship, as God should be at the forefront of all our relationships. If this happens, then the relationship will be blessed of God.

You may or may not get back with your girlfriend. It is important to remember that God has a purpose behind everything that happens - yes, to move on you do need to forgive her but this will only happen when you lay this problem before God. From there, God will direct you whether you will get back with her. It is important that you now have an open mind - a mind open to God. Follow His path and His direction, then God will bless all your relationships.

To sum up, give it all back to Him.

All the blessings my brother
Gaurav

Hello
Something I got by email. A little stereotypical but well...

Getting Married


Jacob, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, living in  Devon  , are all excited about their decision to get married.


They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding, and on the way they pass a chemist. Jacob suggests they go in.

Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: "Are you the owner?"

The pharmacist answers, "Yes."

Jacob: "We're about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?"

Pharmacist: "Of course we do."

Jacob: "How about medicine for circulation?"

Pharmacist: "All kinds "

Jacob: "Medicine for rheumatism?"

Pharmacist: "Definitely."

Jacob: "How about suppositories?"

Pharmacist: "You bet!"

Jacob: "Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, and Alzheimer's?"

Pharmacist: "Yes, a large variety. The works."

Jacob: "What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, antidotes for
Parkinson's disease?"

Pharmacist: "Absolutely.."

Jacob: "Everything for heartburn and indigestion?"

Pharmacist: "We sure do."

Jacob: "You sell wheelchairs and walkers and canes?"

Pharmacist: "All speeds and sizes."

Jacob: "Adult incontinance pants?"

Pharmacist: "Sure."

Jacob: "We'd like to use this store for our wedding presents list..."

Amen - how refreshing it is to see that there are people who recognise the reality of God's plan for the Jews.

I do very much agree that Israel will have no choice to turn to their God and accept Yeshua as the Messiah - El Gibbor.

Gaurav

Hello again.
I think the key to this was that you were not led to debate this - neither was I. Posting this subject was my mistake - this does not mean to say I will never post again but I must be led by God in the future.

Take care
Gaurav

Dear all,
for many years Helen Shapiro has waited on God to release her latest album. Finally God has given her His blessing to release the album. This album shall be released in February.

For further information, visit www.mannamusic.co.uk - this site should be updated in due course.

God Bless
Gaurav

I will repeat that it doesn't matter what mankind thinks about Israel. What matters is what GOD clearly states about Israel and the promises GOD has made to Israel. Race, ethnic, and religious hatred against Israel will have no effect at all on the Promises GOD has made to Israel. GOD will most certainly keep HIS Promises to Israel, and HE will care less (ZERO) about the opinions of mankind. GOD SAID IT - COUNT IT SO AND DONE![/b]
[/quote]

Amen to that brother! May we as Christians not forget that Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews, as will come back as El Gibor, the might one.

Moreover, we Christians have simply accepted that Jesus is our Messiah - under the new law, all true Christians hold dear these Messianic truths.

Again, I say amen!

Gaurav

Dear Tom,
often I don't spend the time reading and understanding verses or even chapters in context. I simply found the text difficult to comprehend, as I do with some Messianic Prophecies. I decided to read prior to these verses and suddenly the meanings behind the words became clear (particularly when you take the Hebrew into account).

To that end, I think it would be wise to discontinue any comments on this thread - this is because I have learnt my lesson:
1) Read the text.
2) Ask Father for understanding.

You are right, there is very little to be debated here  - it is, in essence, a straightforward prose (although there are elements of airy fairy language). Moreover, I have realised that I made a mistake posting before seeking God's understanding.

I hope my long winded statements are understood.

God bless
Gaurav

Hello guys.
I hope that everyone is doing well and that all of you have had a blessed holiday season.

This evening I have been reading through the passages stated in the subject of this thread. I understand most of this passage; however, from verse four onwards, my understanding of this passage is somewhat woolly. Perhaps this is because the Lord is yet to reveal the true meaning behind this verse, moreover, I am not fully ware of the contextual factors regarding the passage - however, I am sure that there are some out there who understand this passage. If so, please enlighten me (or prepare to be debated with, if I feel there is a complete lack of understanding over this passage)  .

Shalom in Jesus
Gaurav