I don't currently have a church; I'm hoping that changes next week, but I had something come up today that makes me hesitant to bring it up to a community who doesn't even know me yet. Not the first impression I want to make. I wasn't raised in the church. I didn't seek a relationship with God until I was in my late 20s. I've tried to read the Bible but find it very difficult to understand, not just the literal translation from a dead language to English which is structured completely different, but also things like deciphering what is a parable and what is literal, or what is contextually applicable to a specific time or event and what is a blanket statement that is timeless. I am smart, but I am not educated. I usually end up looking up specific scriptures that apply to questions that plague me, then I listen to someone much smarter than me break it down and explain it on YouTube. I came across the topic of Psychics and my heart stopped. When I was 18 I lost someone close to me very violently and very suddenly. She was reading a book called "Words I Wish I Wrote" by Robert Fulgram. In and of itself the book is harmless but it caused an unhealthy obsession with philosophy and theology. During this time in my life I moved from one philosophy or theology, dissected it, and moved on to the next. I eventually came to Witchcraft and Astrology. It's not like I gathered some witches and had a seance but I fully submerged in it from an academic point of view. I believe this may have left me vulnerable. One night I had a dream of an astronaut floating in space, his visor was shattered, and his flesh was completely frozen. When I touched him he broke apart into tiny pieces. I woke up immediately and I don't know why but I knew there was going to be a shuttle explosion. I told my girlfriend at the time and asked if there was a shuttle going up anytime soon and she told me she didn't think so. I live next to where the shuttle launches. That night we found out there was a shuttle going up it was the night of the Spaceship Columbia disaster. Fast forward I had another dream one night that I came home and my front door was wide open. I knew my house was broken into and I knew the person was still in the house. I went to search the house but woke up in absolute fear. I again told my girlfriend I don't know how I know what this means, but I am going to get robbed at gunpoint and if I don't give the man the money he will kill me. Within the week this happened at the hotel I worked at. This never happened again after these 2 events but 1 night I was working in this hotel 3rd shift and a couple came in. It was down pouring outside and they didn't have enough money for a room. We were relatively empty and the woman was with child, so I asked what they could afford to still leave them with money for food for the night and agreed to take that as payment versus sending them back out into the storm. The woman thanked me and told me she was a psychic and said she would read me for free for being so kind. I didn't believe in any of this at all but it was 3rd shift and I was bored so I conceded to some entertainment. The woman looked at me for only a couple seconds and gasped. She told me I had a hex put on me and the only way she could remove it is if I audibly said the name of the witch who placed it on me. I guessed a few ex girlfriends of mine and she said that those were not the name. At that point I said I don't know then, sorry have a good night. She didn't seem like she wanted to leave nor did she seem like she wanted to stay. She thanked me for the room again and went to her room with her husband. They didn't check out before I left in the morning and I never saw them again, but some time later I found out a girl who asked me out that I turned down because I was dating someone else actually practiced witchcraft as well as her whole family. I saw this video today and my heart stopped. Please tell me this is a biblical parable and not a literal story. I always took this stuff as a parlor trick but all of a sudden I'm afraid that if this is real then studying it, even though it was academically, may have made me susceptible to it. Is this forgivable? Can this be undone? I am so terrified that I was able to understand these seemingly loosely related dreams and translate them into a perfect premonition. This whole video has got me terrified but I have no one I can ask about this.

John 20:
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace with you.”
20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Jesus presents Himself to His disciples, and finds them in a state of fear and turmoil. He restores them with a breath, declaring, “Peace Unto You”. This is the beginning of the restoration of all things, spoken of by all of the prophets. Recalling that the Lord had already given them His Peace. This is also why the Lord refers to the Holy Spirit as “The Comforter”.

John 14:
25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
26 But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The Holy Spirit is also our Counselor, because He is The Remembrancer, an ever present help Who instructs us in every instance, maintaining that Peace of Christ. When He presides over our Fellowship, His presence becomes The Anointing spoken of by the Apostle John in his first epistle.

1 John 1:
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the Truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the Truth.
...
24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
...
27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

It is in this Peace of God manifested among us that certifies that “the Kingdom of God is upon you”. The second is Joy. This work of the Holy Spirit is the Righteousness of God in Christ.

Romans 14:
16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

1 John 2:
28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

The practice of righteousness is in the Fellowship of the Saints under The Anointing of the Holy Spirit.

1 John 1:
3 That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

Abiding in the Kingdom of Righteousness, Peace and Joy establishes us in hope.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

London —
Prince Andrew will relinquish the use of his royal titles including Duke of York after discussing the matter with King Charles.

“In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Prince Andrew said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.

The change will take effect immediately, a royal source told CNN.

Prince Andrew has faced mounting pressure over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his links to an alleged Chinese spy.


However:
Andrew will continue to reside at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has a private tenancy agreement, a royal source said. He will also retain his title as “prince” because he is the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.



...sooooo not any sort of real punishment

The purpose of this thread is to discuss the basics of what it means to attain character trait, what it means to have a character trait, and then to understand what the Bible specifically says about the trait of righteousness in a way that does not depart from the simplicity of that framework.

Character traits are not earned as the result of our works but rather they are embodied through our works. The one and only way to attain a character trait is through faith apart from being required to have first done enough works in order to earn it as the result, but what it means to attain a character trait is to become a doer of works that embody that trait, so it would contradictory for to attain a character trait apart from becoming a doer of that trait. More specifically, the faith by which a character trait is attained is the belief that we ought have our lives directed at being a doer of works that embody that trait.

We embody what we believe to be true about who God is through our works, such as with James 2:18 saying that he would show his faith through his works. In other words, the way to believe in God is by believing that we ought to have our lives directed at embody His likeness through being a doer of His character traits. For example, by being a doer of good works in obedience to God we are embodying His goodness, which is why our good works bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16), and by embodying God's goodness we are also expressing the belief that God is good. Likewise, the way to believe that God is compassionate is by being compassionate, the way to believe that God is a doer of justice is by being a doer of justice, the way to believe that God is holy is by being a doer of His instructions for how to be holy as He is holy, and so forth. This is exactly the way to believe in the Son, who is the radiance of God's glory and the exact likeness of His character (Hebrews 1:3), which he embodied through his works by setting an example for us to follow of how to walk in obedience to God's law, and it is by that faith alone that we attain the character traits of God.

While it is true that Abraham believed God, so he was declared righteous (Genesis 15:6), it is also true that he believed God, so he was a doer of righteous works (Genesis 18:19), so the faith by which he was declared righteous was also embodied through his works, but he did not earn his righteousness as the result of his works (Romans 4:1-5). In James 2:21-24, it quotes Genesis 15:6 to support saying that Abraham was declared righteous by his works when he offered Isaac, that his faith was active along with his works, and his faith completed his works, so he was declared righteous by his works insofar as they embodied his faith but not insofar as they were earning a wage. In 1 John 3:7, everyone who is a doer of righteous works is righteous even as they are righteous, so while we do not earn our righteousness as the result of our works, there is is no such thing as someone being righteous apart from being a doer of righteous works, but rather the content of the gift of being imputed with the righteousness of God is getting to become a doer of righteous works.

Former President Barack Obama is accusing some liberals of embracing what he refers to as a "holier-than-thou superiority" that he likened to the conservative Christian Moral Majority movement, which he described as "dangerous."

Obama appeared on the "[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]" podcast with comedian Marc Maron on Monday. The two discussed political polarization in the United States and the importance of engaging in discussions with people with opposing views.

“There's been a lot of post-mortem about Democrats and progressives," Obama said, telling Maron that he saw his stand-up routine where he suggested that Democrats "figured out how to be so annoying." Maron recalled how he had previously suggested that Democrats "annoyed the average American into fascism."

Obama insisted that he has repeatedly told Democrats and progressives, "You can't just be a scold all the time."

"You can't constantly lecture people without acknowledging that you've got some blind spots too and that life's messy," he said.

Continued below.

I’m looking forward to good, honest conversation about faith and life—real talk, not just surface stuff. Hoping to learn from others and share some encouragement along the way. Peace.

The name calling and violent rhetoric, the demonization of law enforcement officials, continues to spur on these guys who are on the edge. The political leaders and media members who do this won't stop. They won't stop until they lose enough support.

Dear Chuck,

I’m a 28-year-old professional female, a committed Christian, and single. Although I date occasionally, I am in a waiting pattern for the right man. So many of my friends say I am too picky, but I want to marry a man who knows how to manage money well so we have financial security. What is the best way to know if they are good with money?

Looking for Mr. Right
********************
Dear Looking for Mr. Right,

While you have a great general idea, I am so grateful that Ann and I got married in spite of my financial shortcomings. We married in December 1979, during our senior year in college. It took us 21 years to get on the same page financially. We had our share of struggles over money, but our commitment to the Lord and one another enabled us to stand against the storms.

I will give you some guidelines but remember this: the world will use anything to subvert marriage and strong families. Our enemy definitely wants to prevent Christians from marrying, having children, and filling the world with more Christ followers!

The capstone model vs. the cornerstone model

Like you, many couples want to have their finances in order and certain goals met before getting married. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal addresses how marriage seems to increasingly be for the “affluent:”

Continued below.

One of President Donald Trump’s sons is crediting his father with “saving Christianity” and “saving God,” insisting that his father is “Heaven-bound” and that God has played a direct role in his career both as a businessman and as a politician.

Eric Trump, the president's third child from his first marriage to his late ex-wife, Ivana, reacted to his father’s recent comments about Heaven in an appearance on “The Benny Show” earlier this week.

When speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One over the weekend, Trump said,“I think I’m maybe not Heaven-bound” and “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make Heaven.” Trump’s remarks about Heaven came after he previously suggested that if he ended the Ukraine-Russia war, he could secure his place in Heaven.

“Make no mistake, he is Heaven-bound,” Eric Trump proclaimed. “He’s probably too humble in a certain way to say that.”

“I’ve seen the hand of God on him for a very long time,” Eric insisted, citing his father’s survival of the assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania, last summer as one example of divine intervention: “If he wasn’t Heaven-bound, that flag wouldn’t have folded up like a perfect angel right above his head.”

Continued below.

Pray that China Communist officials see jailed Christians Favorably just like Old Testament Joseph rose from being prisoner to Egypt's Prime Minster:

I know that not all Christian allow their children to celebrate Halloween, but if you do, how do you go about it? My son, when he lived with me, was always allowed to wear whatever he wanted so long as it wasn't glorifying evil like a witch costume or something that looks like a demon. One year he went Trick or Treating as a Navy Seal and another year he went as Superman. This year, he is going to go dressed as Jesus.

Anyway, I'm Catholic and technically Halloween is All Hallows Eve for us which is the same thing as the Eve of All Saints' Day. Because of this, we often encourage our children to dress as something holy, like a saint. Not every Catholic family practices this and children aren't always going to want to dress as a saint though, so in my opinion, it's fine to let them go Trick or Treating so long as their costume isn't glorifying evil in some way.

Can anyone on the Christian forum, with all great theology, great knowledge, even having faith that could remove mountains, be anything, without charity ? The answer is no, the answer is also because knowledge puffs up.

Faith only works through love, Apostle Paul tells how he is crucified with Christ, so Christ lives in him, and the life he now lives he lives by the faith of the Son of God who loved him, and gave Himself for him. ( FAITH WORKS BY LOVE/BELIEVING IN AND BEING EDIFIED BY CHARITY/LOVE.)

God RICH IN MERCY, for HIs GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US, even when dead in sins, ( in UNBELIEF/IN LAW.) has quickened us together with Christ, ( BY GRACE YOU ARE SAVED.) and has RAISED US UP together, made us sit TOGETHER in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, for ever God will show the exceeding RICHES OF HIS GRACE AND HIS KINDNESS toward us THROUGH CHRIST JESUS, for you are SAVED BY GRACE through FAITH, not of yourselves, it is he GIFT OF GOD. Not of WORKS, or any man should BOAST. ( knowledge PUFFS UP. )

Faith alone wont save you. ( having all faith and not having charity, is NOTHING.)

A man may say he has works. He wont show faith without works. (of faith.) But we can show our faith by our works.


Jesus told those of the LAW, to not labour/WORK, ( as it PERISHES.) but for what endures unto EVERLASTING LIFE, ( WHICH THE SON OF MAN SHALL GIVE NTO YOU, THE SON HAS BEEN SEALED BY THE FATHER.)

The LAW Jews did not accept or understand, and ask again, what WORK to do the WORKS of God ?

Jesus answers them again, THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YOU BELIEVE ON HIM WHO HE HAS SENT.

Those of LAW=no FAITH, required a SIGN, which they wanted to SEE, and BELIEVE, they ask what WORK Jesus did ?

Instead of believing in the testimonies of Christ, the LAW asks questions, and Jesus later answers them how He goes HIs way, ( THIS IS HIS WORK.) and then they still seek Him. ( THOSE OF THE LAW SEEK GOD/JESUS CHRIST IS GOD.) and they shall DIE in their SINS. ( unable to go WHERE HE IS.) They are told they die in their sins BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN WHO HE IS.





John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I HAVE WORKS: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Galatians 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.




Our Maker, ( Christ made all things.) is our husband and our redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called.

God tells us how this is as the waters of NOAH unto Him, as God had SWORN that the WATERS OF NOAH should no more go over the earth, so God has SWORN that He will no longer be angry with us. HIs COVENANT OF PEACE shall not be removed from us, neither IS KINDNESS depart from us, says the Lord that HAS MERCY ON US.

These are the children to be ALL TAUGHT OF THE LORD, in RIGHTEOUSNESS established, the heritage of the servants of the Lord. ( THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS OF HIM, SAYS THE LORD.)

Jesus speaking to those of THE LAW, ( who in the same chapter 6 were told what the work of God are, and to NOT LABOUR for what they LABOUR FOR, IN THE LAW.) tells them no man can come to Him, but t believe in what was WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS, ( and the law.) they shall all be taught of God, EVERY MAN THEREFORE THAT HAS HEARD. ( BY THE HEARING OF FAITH TO RECEIVE THE SPIRIT, NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW. Galatians 3:2-5.) Jesus tells VERILY, HE THAT BELIEVES ON HIM HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.





Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.


Isaiah 54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

Isaiah 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.




John the Baptist tells of the Baptism that Christ will do, along with the WATER BAPTISM that John did for them, it is to BAPTISE THEM WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH FIRE.

The end times now, many false prophets rise to deceive many, and the love of many has gone cold. INIQUITY ABOUNDS AS FAIT WORKS BY LOVE/CHARITY EDIFIES/KNOWLEDGE/of the LAW, PUFFS UP.)

This Gospel of the Kingdom ( FAITH AND CHARITY.) is preached IN ALL THE WORLD, then the end shall come.

Then any man saying this is their idea of Christ. ( PREACHING ANOTHER JESUS. (2 Corinthians 11:4) BELIEVE IT NOT.

False Christs and false prophets to deceive the very elect if it were possible.

Jesus compares Noah to deter us from these deceivers, so focus on the preaching RIGHT NOW with ME, as the days of NOAH, so ALSO the coming of the Son of man SHALL BE. They did not know when the flood came, they had no faith as Niah had, so were all took away, Noah entered the ARK.

Watch, as we do not know the day nor the hour the Son of an comes.





Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.




Again in Luke, Jesus Himself this time speaks of the FIRE He came to SEND ON THE EARTH/ THE BAPTISM HE HAS TO BE BAPTISED WITH. ( to be ACCOMPLISHED.)

WATCH WITH ME, the days came we desire to SEE one of the days of the Son of man and we shall NOT SEE IT. THey shall say to us SEE, but we are to not go after them nor follow THEM.

Jesus tells us HOW TO WATCH, as in the days of Noah, when NOAH by faith entered the ARK, and LOT LIKEWISE, the SAME DAY Lot went out of Sodom it RAINED FIRE, from heaven and destroyed them all. EVEN THUS SHALL IT BE WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED.





Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Luke 17:22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.


Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.




If you are WATCHIONG with me, ( IN FAITH.) then hear what Christ did for us, the JUST for the UNJUST, to bring us to God, put to death in the flesh and quickened by the Spirit.

By that death He went and preachd to us spirits who were in prison, which were disobedient, ( such as the old world disobedient and all got flooded but NOAH.) and Noah and the souls with him were saved BY WATER.

The LIKE FIGURE now SAVES US, the answer of a good conscience BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. ( BAPTISM SAVES US BY WATER BAPTISM AND THE HOLYGHOST/FIRE BAPTISM. That is the saving we see in BOTH NOAH AND LOT, WATER BY NOAH AND FIRE BY LOT.)

The FALSE PROPHETS TEACH AGAINST THIS FAITH, but NOAH AND LOT ARE TAUGHT AGAINST THEIR LAW, and also the angels that sinned did so by UBELIEF, NOT BY LAW AND WERE JUDGED FOREVER TO BE CAST INTO FIRE...





1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.


2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds

Please pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters. They need protection from prison, freedom from any imprisonment, healing from any trauma. And healing and provision for left behind family members.

Please pray for them for protection from their enemies and discernment about who to trust. And provision in every way with protection and strengthening of their faith.

“For where 2 or 3 are gathered in My Name, there am I in
the midst of them.”

Very insightful analysis by Victor Davis Hansen.

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Some interesting connect-the-dots work that helps explain the present situation

Hi,

I've been back to Mass regularly now for the four straight weeks. I have only seen a couple of very old timers that still receive the Eucharist by mouth. I grew up in the church before the hand option was around. I did by mouth 1x and the priest did seem a bit surprised when I didn't extend my hands. Comments? Thx

I’m not perfect, but compared to how vile some people are, who profess themselves to be normal, have a job etc… I have no problem calling myself a saint.

And I wouldn’t know what to do here, and what the purpose of it all is, since they have the upper hand on all levels of society, unless I’m here to witness their demise. Like Jesus said, I’m going to down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard.

Iran is luring trans-identifying tourists from around the world with the promise of cheap sex-change surgeries and luxury lodging in a nation where homosexual conduct is criminalized, and many have fled rather than be forced into such surgeries.

Due to the impact that war and sanctions have had on Iran's economy, the Islamic Republic is promoting its "expertise" in performing sex-change surgeries, The New York Times reported on Friday.

Iran has performed more sex-change surgeries than other nations after 40 years of forcing its gay or "gender-nonconforming" citizens to undergo operations to alter their bodies, according to the outlet.

A report from an Iranian state news outletsuggests that Iran is hoping to generate over $7 billion annually from medical tourism, touting its expertise in medical fields, including stem-cell therapy and organ transplants.

The country is drawing in foreigners from Australia, the United States, Britain and other countries with Iranian travel tourism companies advertising sex-change surgeries for $12,000 or less, according to the Times.

Continued below.

Almost every Christian has read the Sermon on the Mount, yet very few truly understand it. Today, I am writing this article in the hope of helping them. May God bless His people.
In this passage, Jesus first proclaims nine blessings to His disciples (Matthew 5:3–12), then provides teachings on conduct (Matthew 5:13–7:20), and finally emphasizes the necessity of putting these teachings into practice (Matthew 7:21–27). What Jesus said aligns with the Christian experience: grace comes first, making faith possible (Romans 10:14), and by abiding in faith and demonstrating corresponding actions, one can ultimately be saved (Romans 6:19; Romans 13:11–14; James 2:14–26).
Let’s begin with the nine blessings. Among them, the first two point to Jesus’ first coming, the next two point to His second coming, and the remaining five point to the conduct of Christians between these two comings.
The first blessing is given to those who are poor in spirit. They lack the Holy Spirit (the Spirit can also be translated as the Holy Spirit), belong to the flesh, are under the law, and do not receive God’s favor (Galatians 3:1–5; Romans 1:11). Jesus’ first coming brought the gospel of forgiveness; those who believe will receive the Holy Spirit, who is the believer’s guarantee of the kingdom of heaven (Ephesians 1:14).
The second blessing is given to those who mourn. They grieve over their transgressions (Joel 2:12–13), and the gospel can comfort them.
The third blessing is given to the meek. They keep themselves from evil and trust in God to do good (Psalm 37:1–11). Christ’s second coming brings righteous and comprehensive judgment, at which time these people will inherit the kingdom of heaven (Isaiah 57:13).
The fourth blessing is given to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Their longing will be satisfied through Christ’s judgment (Revelation 6:9–11).
The fifth blessing is given to the merciful. They forgive their brothers in Christ who have sinned against them, thereby preserving themselves in God’s mercy (Matthew 18:35).
The sixth blessing is given to the pure in heart. Their hearts are filled with truth, not loving false doctrine (1 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:22–23). They know God (Galatians 4:9; 1 Corinthians 13:12).
The seventh blessing is given to peacemakers. They love their brothers in the Lord who hate them. Because they possess the nature of the heavenly Father, Jesus calls them sons of God (Matthew 5:44–45).
The eighth blessing is given to those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. They are hated by the kingdoms of the earth, but they will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
The ninth blessing is given to those who are persecuted for Christ’s sake. They will receive a great reward from heaven.
After interpreting the nine blessings, it is time to interpret the Lord Jesus’ teachings. Jesus first instructed His disciples on how to preach the gospel (Matthew 5:13–16), then told them that the gospel does not contradict the law but fulfills it (Matthew 5:17; Jesus atoned for humanity’s sins on the cross, enabling the righteousness of the Law to be imputed to those who believe). Finally, by emphasizing that God’s righteousness — represented by the Law — remains unchanging, He required His disciples to practice righteousness (Matthew 5:18–20) and provided corresponding teachings (Matthew 5:21–7:20).
According to the teachings of the Lord Jesus, Christians have two roles in evangelism: one is salt, and the other is light. Salt symbolizes God’s righteousness and judgment (Genesis 19:26; Zephaniah 2:9), while light symbolizes God’s forgiveness (Matthew 4:16; John 1:4). Therefore, when sharing the gospel, Christians must first lead people to confess their sins before proclaiming God’s forgiveness. Some Christians, seeking to please outsiders, preach only God’s love without proclaiming confession. They are salt that has lost its flavor.
Regarding how to practice righteousness, Jesus offered teachings that diverged from the legal traditions of His day. These legal traditions instructed the Israelites on how to treat others under the same law, so Jesus’ teachings should also be understood as instructing His disciples on how to treat others of the same faith.
The first teaching was to avoid anger toward one’s brother. Jesus did not mean that those who became angry had no hope of entering the kingdom of heaven, but rather that they should make peace with their brother as soon as possible (Matthew 5:23–26).
The second teaching is to avoid lusting after women. Jesus meant to forbid disciples from worshiping idols in their hearts. In the Bible, adultery often signifies the sin of betraying God and turning to worship idols (Exodus 34:15; Numbers 25:1–2; Ezekiel 16:17; Matthew 12:39–42; Revelation 2:20). If a person worships idols in his heart, he has already betrayed God. Idol worship is a grave sin, and those who commit it will be cast off by God (Matthew 5:31–32), just as in Jeremiah 3:8, where the adulterous Israel was divorced by the Lord.
If we assume this teaching refers to matters between men and women, we cannot explain why the consequences of this sin are so severe — even to the point of gouging out an eye or cutting off a hand to avoid it. King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, yet God did not command him to inflict bodily harm. When a member of the Corinthian church committed sexual immorality by taking their stepmothers, Paul did not instruct him to harm himself. In Matthew 18:8–9, Jesus also taught to pluck out the eye or cut off the hand to avoid sin. There, the sin referred to causing a brother to fall away from the faith; here, the sin should likewise refer to causing someone to fall away from the faith. Idolatry is precisely such a sin.
The third teaching is to avoid swearing. Jesus meant for His disciples to steer clear of boasting. In 1 Corinthians, we see how boasting caused some church members to be esteemed while others were looked down upon, ultimately leading the church into division.
The fourth teaching is to avoid confronting evil people. Jesus meant that if a fellow believer wrongs you, you should endure it. From the text, the wrongdoing here is not grave sin (Matthew 5:39–41).
The fifth teaching is to love your enemies. Jesus meant that if a brother in the Lord hates you, you should love him and pray for him.
The sixth teaching is to avoid hypocrisy, concerning almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. When speaking of prayer, Jesus taught His disciples how to pray and warned them that if they did not forgive others’ offenses, the Heavenly Father would not forgive them either. Here, “offenses” does not refer to all sins, but specifically to those committed by disciples in daily life after believing in Christ due to fleshly weakness or momentary confusion (just like daily bread). Christians should forgive such offenses, for they themselves are not immune to committing them. As for grave sins, Christians have no obligation to forgive. Though some Christians may have committed them before conversion, they will not commit them after conversion unless their faith is false (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
The judges and David showed no tolerance toward the nations seeking to destroy or oppress Israel (Hebrews 11:32–34). Even when Christians committed grave sins, the apostles showed no tolerance (1 Corinthians 5:13; 3 John 1:10). These instances of intolerance are recorded in Scripture as examples. The gospel is the gospel of forgiveness for sinners, but only those who believe receive forgiveness, while unbelievers are condemned (John 3:18). Jesus did not proactively forgive (heal) the Canaanite woman’s daughter until He saw the woman’s faith (Matthew 15:21–28). On the cross, He forgave those who crucified Him because they did not know He was the Son of God, but instead thought He had committed blasphemy (Luke 23:34; 1 Corinthians 2:8). As for the scribes who understood the Holy Spirit’s work yet went out to slander Him, Jesus showed them no tolerance (Mark 3:28–30). Therefore, for universally recognized grave sins like murder, rape, kidnapping, or robbery — regardless of who commits them against Christians — Christians bear no obligation to tolerate them. Brothers, let no one deceive you any longer!
The seventh teaching is to avoid coveting wealth. Coveting wealth leads to valuing money over the Lord. This is the same as idol worship. Idol worship is a betrayal of faith and will cause one to lose the light of life.
The eighth teaching is avoid judging others. Jesus meant not to judge brothers in the Lord. As for unbelievers, Christians should judge them so they may be saved.
The ninth teaching is to avoid casting pearls before swine. Jesus meant that Christians should value themselves. If someone rejects the gospel or goodwill shown by Christians and instead attacks them, Christians should not continue to offer these good things to such people.
The tenth teaching is to be kind to others.
The eleventh teaching is to guard against false prophets. Christians can recognize them by their deeds (Matthew 3:8). Any prophet who does not act according to Jesus’ teachings is a false prophet.
These are the teachings of Jesus. After reading them, we understand that Jesus’ burden is light (Matthew 11:30) and does not exceed human capacity. Some believe that since the Pharisees and scribes diligently followed the law, Christians must adhere to an even higher standard to surpass them. But did they ever truly practice the law? The hypocrisy (Matthew 23:23), the extortion of property (Mark 12:40), the oppression of the righteous (Matthew 23:34), and the slander of the true doctrine (Matthew 12:22–37) — even the upright among the Gentiles would not do such things. How much easier, then, is it for you to surpass them?

# 1 FOR //. GAR , is a CONJUNCATION

# 2 THE // HO , is a DEFINITE ARTICLE. , in the NOMINATIVE CASE , in. the SINGULAR

# 3. HEART //. KARDIA , in. the NOMINATIVE CASE , in. the SINGULAR

# 4. OF THIS // TOUTOU , IS A DEMONSTRATIVE. PRONOUN. , in. the SINGULAR

# 5. PEOPLE //. LAOS. in the GENITIVE CASE , in. the SINGULAR

# 6 IS WAX GROSS. // PACHYNO. in. the. AORIST TENSE , PASSIVE VOICE , in. the INDICATIVE MOOD , in the SINGULAR

# 7. AND. // KAI , is a CONJUNCATIO

# 8. THEIR EARS // OUS. , in. the DATIVE CASE. , in. the PLURAL. , in. the NEUTER

# 9 ARE DULL // is a ADVERB

# 10. OF HEART. // in. the AORIST TENSE , in. the ACTIVE VOICE , in. the INDICATIVE MOOD , in. the PLURAL

# 11 AND //. KAI , is a CONJUNCATION

# 12 THEIR // AUTOS. is. a PERSONAL POSSESSEIVE PRONOUN. , in. the GENITIVE CASE , in. the Plural

# 13 EYES. // OPHTTHAIMOS , in. the ACCUSATIVE. CASE in. the PLURAL

# 14 HAVE THEY CLOSED //. KAMMYO. , in. the AORIST TENSE , in. the ACTIVE VOICE. , in the INDICATIVE MOOD , means you better

believe that Israel closed their EYES , in. the Plural

# 15 LEST. // MEPOTE , is an ADVERB.

# 16 THEY SHOULD SEE // in the AORIST TENSE , is an. SUBJUNCATIVE , in the Plural

# 17 WITH ( THERE ). EYES //. OPHTHALMOS , in. the DATIVE CASE , in. the PLURAL

# 18 AND // KAI , is a CONJUNCATION

# 19. UNDERSTAND //. SYNIOMI. , in. the AORIST TENSE , in. the ACTIVE VOICE , is a SUBJUNCTIVE , in the PLURAL

# 20 WITH (. THEIR ). HEART in. the DATIVE CASE , in. the SINGULAR

# 21. AND // KAI , is a CONJUNCATION

# 22 SHOULD BE CONVERED // EPISTREPHO. in the AORIST TENSE , in. the ACTIVE VOICE , is a SUBJUNCATIVE , in. the Plural

# 23 AND // KAI , is a CONJUNCATIVE. is a PLURAL

# 24 I SHOULD HEAL // IAOMAI. in. the AORIST TENSE , in. the MIDDLE VOICE , is a SUBJUNATIVE , in. the SINGULAR

# 25 THEM // AUTOS , is a PERSONAL POSSESSETIVE PRONOUN. , in a ACCUSATIVE CASE , is a PLURAL

And anyone can check and see what the CASES , VOICES , AND MOOD BY USING google .

These verses says why Israel was set aside !!

AND why we are NOT under the Law , but under Grace and are saved by GRACE , by Rom 10:9 and 10 and Eph 2:8

and why in. the BODY OF CHRIST there are NO PRIESTS. and no CONFESSIONALS. and no ANIMAL SCAIFICES and no TONGUES

and NO WATER BAPTISM and no PURGATORY. for we are not under the Law , bit under GRACE !!

And . what I. have written all can turn to ISA 6:9-12. and see. !!

dan p

can anyone recommend a book available that explains the rapture and tribulation, would prefer an author with a Pentecostal background

in 2026 the psalm 83 events will start. Its already started but...This war isn't over. Israel will come under heavy and deadly rocket fire from Hezbollah and Iran and others and they will be forced to use nukes against Damascus and Jordon in order to stop it.But some Arabs who hate Iran will support them. Then they will take over administration of those lands and a newer more secular liberal admin will start running Israel.Then Gog Magog/Turkey has a go at them because of economic turmoil and food shortages, and they fail miserably. Then the liberals fall for the antichrist absurd 7 year lie agreement so the world won't hate them so much...Then all hell breaks loose after 3 years. Hope you don't have to be around for that.

John Bolton, who served as Donald Trump's national security adviser before becoming a vocal critic of the president, has been criminally indicted on federal charges, and is facing decades in prison.

The Department of Justice presented a case to a grand jury in Maryland on Thursday, and they agreed there was enough evidence to indict Bolton.

According to a 26-page indictment filed at a court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Thursday, Bolton is charged with eight counts of transmission of national defence information (NDI) and 10 counts of unlawful retention of NDI.

If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge.

I want to spend MORE money on safety need programs for the poor, and much less on the administration of those programs. I want revenue sharing not federal rules and controls.

One of the very best ways to do that is for decision-making to be moved to state and local governments (including school boards). The feds would spend less and up giving more. The administration costs would be the savings.

The idea of federal government programs should be transfer of monies from rich states to poor states, perhaps in categories such as education. By their nature, social welfare programs should be state and local

If we want a federal program to fund education and welfare programs, then fine. Negotiate the amount to be spent and the allocations by state. Very little federal administration is needed. I know that Republicans won't accept this, but here goes. Social Security is very, very efficient in the distribution of monies with a very small percentage of admin costs. That should be a model for education and welfare programs. LET THE STATES decide what specific needs are to be met with these federal funds.

No, this isn't fair in that citizens of one state will spend more than others. But it cannot be the role of the federal government to have equal social services for every citizen.

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TO BE CLEAR
1) Homeland Security and The Department of Defense need an administration efficiency overhaul, a technology overhaul, and a general modernization of weapons systems (both for defense and offense). The savings might be in the trillions over the next decade or two.
2) There are many responsibilities that should be that of the federal government, even if not specified in the 1700's. Examples include regulations in many fields including environment, agriculture, health, and weather mitigation efforts. We absolutely need a new focus on food, water and energy.
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