What is being taught today as who the first Homo sapiens were that settled in the Americas?

If one were to set the parable of the prodigal to music, it would be in a minor key. I am always saddened by the principle of the prodigal. It is true that there is great gladness and merriment in it, but the setting is sadness.

Think of this loving and generous father, with two prodigal sons. The younger a harlot-monger, and the elder a “me-monger.” The younger unrighteous and lawless, and the elder self-righteous and legal; both far, far from the loving father, with the latter set in his law-bound implacability. Does that not make your heart sad?

If you are already sad because you are a poor prodigal, or the parent of a prodigal or two, you can be sure that the Father of prodigals understands and cares. Yes, and in God the Son we have a High Priest who can “be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” our burdens, our trials and heartaches (Heb 4:15).

Actually, we can all relate to, and are related to the prodigals. The principle of prodigality is there for us all. When we were unsaved, by the grace of God we came to realize that we were in a far country, “having no hope, and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). When no man gave unto us, we finally came to ourselves, and rose, and went to the Father. It was then that He came to meet us in fullness of love and acceptance. There was great joy in heaven, in our heart and in the Father’s heart, over that one sinner that repented (Lu 15:7).

Yet, long after we are saved, the principle of the prodigal reasserts itself in our lives (but it’s just the devil working through the old man’s attempts, from which God always delivers us—NC). Assured of your eternal security and acceptance in the Savior (yet saved but only instability results here until security is established—NC), we slowly drift into self-righteousness and independence (Jas 1:24—NC). We may be in some type of service for the Lord, but sooner or later we find ourselves in the far country; out of fellowship with our Father, and struggling to keep up appearances in our Christian life and service (Romans Seven).

We may slave on in this far country for years, slowly learning that the husks of the world and the old man are not even fit for swine. Finally, finally, we can struggle no longer and we give up—at least for the time being (still saved but in need of deliverance again—NC). Then it is that we whimper, “Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death” (e.g. from the old man, which is the sin nature and has its members like a body - Col 3:5—NC)?

It is then, by the Father’s mercy that we come to ourselves once again. “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Ro 7:25). He is the answer, and back to the Father we go (always keep everything, good and bad into His trust, for He uses it no matter what to bring about our “good” - Ro 8:28). In His eternal love, He meets us again, this time not with the truth of justification, but with the truths of identification (He always sees the believer in Christ—NC).

Having subsisted on a far-country starvation diet for years, we hungrily feed upon the succulent identification truths. In due time we are fattened up on the liberating facts that we died unto sin, and that our life is now “hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).

As a result, Galatians 2:20 becomes our “life verse”: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Christ lives His own Life in the believer, like a hand in a glove, He being the Hand—NC). We begin to reckon, reckon, and reckon: “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Ro 6:11).

We study, study, study, all of the wonderful “deeper life” books. We share, share, share, the deeper truths—whether the recipient (victim?) is ready or not! We are learning about our position in Christ above, and we are improving in our condition. Our heart-hungers are being satisfied by more and more freedom from the old man, and more and more freedom in the new Man—Christ, “who is our Life” (Col 3:4). Liberation at last (of course the “new man” is the new nature which was “created,” not Christ, for He wasn’t created—NC).

No, it is not quite that pat. It is freedom at first! In this way our Lord gives us a taste of His ultimate triumph in our lives, and assures us that we are on the right path to that maturity in the Lord Jesus—“dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:11).

Hence, we reckon as we may, our wonderful victorious life and testimony begin to fade (everything seems less meaningful at repeated times—NC); and there is our principle of the prodigal, strong as ever. Once again, it is the far country—maybe not quite as far as before (because we know it’s just temporarily the old man again—NC), but too far for fellowship with the Lord Jesus and the Father (the purpose of this type of repetitious trial is to increasingly reaffirm our continuous dependence on God, the Lord Jesus and Their Holy Spirit—NC).

Could that be where you are right now? Well, yes, kind of. But I would like to know why. You will be encouraged to know that there are a number of reasons, and all of them are good (regardless of the reason; Ro 8:28, esp. 29). First, your loving Father has you right where He wants you at this time (He always knows what we are going to do and preplans all for the good of increasing our faith, which can always grow stronger - Luk 17:5; Eph 6:10—NC). He is not allowing you to grab the identification truths, run off with them and attempt to reckon upon them. He rather intends for you to become established, clearly and solidly, in those two basic growth truths—that you “died unto sin” (no more desire for sin and permanently forgiven—NC), and are now alive unto Him in Christ Jesus. A little farther on in this material we will see whether or not you are established enough in these truths to enable you to receive their practical benefits consistently and increasingly.

Second, while reckoning will result in definite gain in your Christian life, that is not God’s primary purpose for it. That is prodigal thinking. The young prodigal reckoned upon his father’s faithfulness (God always delivers and provides—NC), and was willing to settle for bread and servanthood. At least that would free him from the pig sty, and give him some of the comforts and benefits of family life.

But the father would never settle for that. He fitted him for fellowship (best robe, which is the Lord Jesus—NC), and took him into his presence in complete acceptance (permanent forgiveness—NC). That is the Father’s purpose for you. He has freed you from the old and positioned you in the new, that He may enjoy fellowship with you. If there is to be service, it will be as a son, not as a servant or hired hand. “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Gal 4:7).

Third, your Father does not want you to be like the elder prodigal. He served his father faithfully and kept his commandments, all to establish his own self-righteousness. His father humbled himself and went out into his presence, while he refused to go into his father’s loving presence. If your Father were to give you freedom and make you fruitful through your present state of reckoning, you would be just another elder prodigal. You would expect Him to come to you and bless you and use you, and you would see no reason for responding to His pleas for you to come inside and abide in His glorious presence.

Fourth, while you reckoned by faith for your new birth, you do not reckon for your growth. Reckoning is the basis for growth, but it is not the means of growth. Reckoning yourself dead unto sin does not free you from the reign of sin and the sinful old man—the Cross has already accomplished that (Ro 6:6-8 - reckoning doesn’t produce effect but assumes truth with what has been already done—NC); and reckoning yourself alive unto God in Christ Jesus does not establish you in your position in the Lord Jesus above—the Holy Spirit has already done that, too (Jhn 3:6, 8—NC).

It is true that the Father has made you the object of His eternal love. He has saved you, and thereby freed you from the old sinful Adam-life, and placed you in the Life of His perfect Son at His own right hand. Now it is for you to count upon these truths (which are mostly contained within the Pauline Epistles—NC) so that He can be your Object.

Hence it is by the Spirit that you grow (all power comes from the Father and the Son and flows through the Spirit to the believer—NC). He centers your attention and affections upon the Lord Jesus in glory, and you are thereby “changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (Col 3:1-4). Your reckoning upon your freedom from the old man (Ro 6:12, 14), and your position in the Lord Jesus, comprises the basis for your access for face-to-face fellowship with Him in glory, and that by the ministry of the Holy Spirit (the Word of God, which is through the Spirit is like a mirror to see what you’re supposed to look like - 1Co 13:12—NC).

That is how you make the Father your Object, and thereby glorify Him—in the Son, and by the Spirit. The Father has you in His presence that you might partake of His glory, and by that means grow in His image. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Co 4:6).

Surely you cannot reckon yourself to be unworthy (Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1Th 2:12; 2Th 1:5; 2Th 1:11; Rev 3:4—NC) as the younger prodigal, nor too worthy as the older prodigal. Rather, reckon yourself in glory for the Father’s glory (as the Son glorifies the Father we glorify the Father—NC). “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (Col 1:9).


—Miles J Stanford





MJS devotional for Aug 2

The joy of sowing is exceeded only by the joy of harvesting; and yet both sowing and reaping are a matter of death.

“If we follow and note the history and ways of any true servant of the Lord, we shall see, that on the one side they, like Moses on the Mount, or Paul in Arabia, are entranced with the brightness and most marvelous display of divine glory; yet on man’s side, those who know most of the divine ways, suffer most because of the indifference of those who have professed to be the Lord’s people.

“It is nowhere admitted in Scripture that a servant can be merely the herald of the light of God’s grace; that is, that he should only have the joyful side of service. For every real servant, be he evangelist, teacher, or anything else, there must be the side of suffering, burden, and humiliation.”

“We must bear in mind that, while it is the Father’s purpose, in His dealings with Job, to vindicate His own estimate of His servant; it is, at the same time, shown us how He educates or disciplines that servant so as to render him worthy of that estimate.”

“In every trial, however gloomy, there are gleams of light and relief; but full deliverance is often delayed by our anxiety to obtain it. God Himself, and not the deliverance, is to be the satisfaction of His servant; consequently the deliverance is often postponed until we are without prospect or expectation of it; and then it may be accorded in a manner so transcendently beyond our conception, that we must see and understand the love and interest which surrounded us during the whole period of our trial.”

—Mile J Stanford

Prosecutors say court documents showed that Goltz threatened several people [and their children and family members] — including a lawyer with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and a Maricopa County elections official — on far-right social media platforms.

I’m struggling with addition to my smartphone. When I come from work I tend to like to relax in my comfy chair and just shoot the breeze by texting friends. I take up lots of time by doing this and sometimes like to go to bed much earlier than my bedtime and text friends to give me some relaxation before I go to sleep.

I think I’m addicted to texting and more productive activities like playing the guitar or memorizing Bible verses are falling by the wayside.

I am thinking that I may want to come home from work and either turn my phone completely off or put it in the desk drawer and not touch it, and work on memorizing Bible verses or playing the guitar, and after some time of enjoyment, write a to do list with tasks I want to accomplish and try to work on those tasks. But after a long day at work I tend to just want to relax and not work on anything. I just tend to be glued to my phone not wanting to do much else.

Some tasks on my to do list are to post certain discussions in discussion forums or write certain emails to people on my phone with the bluetooth wireless keyboard I use, so I may want to use my phone some in the evening at some point.

When I am sitting there texting friends I could be more productive on my phone by watching Christian messages on YouTube or listening to Christian podcasts, but it seems like texting reigns supreme.

What are your thoughts on what I should do about this struggle and have any of you struggled with spending too much time with technology?

Just reading 2 Chronicles 20 right now and it stirred my heart. Something we are told to do as believers is to stir one another up to good works (Hebrews 10:24-25), so let's use the OT here to share our favorite stories. What about the passage you share inspires faith within you? What lessons do you get from reading your favorite OT passage?

Romans 15:4 (BSB), "For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope."

What does God intend to be the main work of Christians?

Please explain your answers in your own words only.

I may ask follow up questions.

Wishing you God's blessings.

Hi these are small 5x7 anamorphic style watercolors .They are in 1 inch thick desktop glass picture frames which make them look more 3d irl

The police department received criminal behavior allegations about Officer Matthew Beebe, 37, on Friday and immediately began an investigation, suspending Beebe pending the outcome.

Additional charges are anticipated. The initial complaint was not what he was arrested for, and the police department is still investigating those allegations.

Kazakh businessman Kenes Rakishev inexplicably wired $142,000 to Hunter Biden in April 2014 so he could buy himself a sports car.

Mr. Rakishev sent the money around the same time then-Vice President Joe Biden dined with him at a Washington restaurant at Hunter Biden‘s request.

The details of the gifted car were revealed by Devon Archer, a former business partner of Hunter Biden‘s, in four hours of testimony before House investigators and memorialized in a newly released transcript.

Archer did not know the reason for the payment.

“That’s a business matter between them,” Mr. Archer said.

Psalms 119:134-136 ESV


This is a prayer to be released (liberated, delivered) from man’s oppression, i.e. from his persecution, abuse, cruelty and mistreatment, i.e. from those who are at war with God and who are against his Word and who are against the saints of God who are the Lord’s messengers. Paul often prayed such a prayer when he was being persecuted for his walk of faith in Jesus Christ and when he was suffering much mistreatment for the teachings of God which he then taught to others under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

But this oppression is not singled out only to the persecution of God’s saints, for these oppressors are at war with God and with his Word and with his moral standards and with his commandments, so they are at war with the gospel of Jesus Christ. But rather than just attack it, they are altering it and they are using it as a front for lying to the people. And they are twisting God’s words in order to give themselves pardon and/or excuses for their sinful practices, and then they are teaching what is false to the people.

So, what they are doing is teaching a diluted and an altered gospel message which makes no requirements for dying with Christ to sin and living to Christ and to his righteousness. Their “gospel” does not require death to sin and walks of obedience to the Lord in holy living. Under their “gospel” people can “get saved” once in their lives and now they are promised God’s forgiveness of all their sins (past, present, and future) and heaven as guaranteed them when they die, but regardless of how they live their lives on this earth.

But Jesus Christ taught that if anyone would come after him that he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and to self) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to our old lives of living in sin and for self we will lose them for eternity. But if for the sake of Jesus we die with him to sin and live to his righteousness, we then have the hope of eternal life with God. For Jesus also said that not everyone saying to him, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one DOING the will of God the Father.

[Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23; cf. Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14]

So, what these oppressors are doing is they are manipulating people’s minds and hearts to accept the lies as truth and the truth as lies, and they are also strongly opposing those who are teaching the truth of the gospel and they are making attempts at trying to discredit them or to bring false charges against them of teaching “works salvation,” so that the people will not listen to them. For their goal is to convince the people to accept the lies so that they will continue living in sin without conscience and without remorse.

For these oppressors are the self-indulgent, the addicted, i.e. those whose lives are out-of-control, who are the vain and worthless, who are living immoral lives, unrestricted, in non-conformity to God’s moral standards. And they are those who are making allowances for what is unnatural, perverted, deviant, and twisted, and they are calling it “normal.” And they steal from God’s words what is not theirs and what is taken out of context, and they alter it to excuse away all behaviors which are sinful.

Therefore, we who are servants of the Lord, who are walking in his ways and in his truth, need to reject the lies, and we need to expose them for what they are, and then we need to proclaim the truth of God’s Word in opposition to the lies in the power of God and under the direction of the Holy Spirit. And we must do this even if we are being attacked, and even if we are being falsely accused, and even if we are hated and rejected and thought badly of and if no one wants to be our friend.

For human lives are at stake here. For the lies, although they may make people feel good about themselves, if believed, are going to send their adherents straight to hell on the false promise of heaven as their eternal destiny. So we need to be telling people the truth that can save their souls from hell. And that truth is that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. And the truth is that if we continue in deliberate and in habitual sin we will not inherit eternal life with God; all lip service denied.

So, if we are true servants of the Lord, it should break our hearts that so many people calling themselves “Christians,” at least here in America, are still living in sin, and they are not walking in obedience to the Lord and to his commands under the New Covenant, for they have convinced themselves that they don’t have to. We should weep over that situation, and it should motivate us strongly to reject and to expose the lies and to get the truth of the gospel out to as many people as possible before the end of all things.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

My Heart’s Desire

An Original Work / June 29, 2013
Based off Rm. 10; Lu. 9:23-26; Ep. 4:20-24

Loved Ones, Oh, my heart’s desire
Is that you might come to Jesus.
Many appear zealous for God,
But they do not trust in Him.
They have not submitted to the One
Who saved them from their sins;
Not forsaken their sins,
Nor have they obeyed their King.

The word of the Lord is near you:
The word of faith we’re proclaiming:
That you must confess your faith
In Jesus as your Lord and King:
Believe in Him as your Lord,
And follow Him where’er He leads.
Share the gospel; be a witness,
And meet others’ needs.

Beautiful are the feet of those
Who bring the good news of Jesus:
Anyone who would come to Him
Must deny himself today;
Die to sin and self, and
Let the Spirit transform you in heart;
Put on your new self in Jesus,
Yielding to the cross.

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Hello Dear friends I pray you are all doing well. Like the titled says, this isn’t very important I know there are way more urgent and important matters, but i would very much appreciate prayer for this.
Long story short a lot has happened in my life , I lost dear loved ones at a young age and a lot of sad things have happened in addition to the tragic losses. My parents feel bad for me so they surprised me and go me a puppy, I love her so much i thank Jesus for her all the time. I don’t have very many loved ones anymore, I belive Jesus brought my doggy into my life. A little background, my pup was born small and sick and almost died, and when I was born I wasn’t breathing and my arm was hurt so it couldn’t move, and We we’re both born in February , i thought it was so cute how we had that in common, i know it’s crazy lol. But I’m having an issue with her, she is a wonderful behaved dog but she cannot sleep a solid night through, health wise thank God she is good she just always gets uo at about 2am and sometimes again at 4am , she’s even done 12am 2am and like 5am I’ve had her since last April and i haven’t gotten a full nights sleep! She doesn’t like potting in the house so she cries to wake me up , i have to get uo half awake and let her out, which is dangeorus to do so late at night you never know who’s outside. I am kinda loosing it honestly wih no solid sleep, i have to work and take care of things, I have a little bit of anxiety before I go to sleep because i anticipate her waking me up just 2 hours later, which she does. It seems I’ve tried everything walks before bed, feeding the proper time , no late snacks. If she keeps this up i May have to give her to my relative because her waking up in the middle of the night disruptes the household. Could you please please pray that Jesus would touch my doggy and let her sleep through the whole night and never wake up in the middle of the night again, that God will give her a peaceful nights sleep. I would so appreciate it, she means so much to me. Jesus has already healed her of different issues (health)she’s had in the past she’s 100 percent healthy now which is a miracle, i CANT even think about giving her up i would just be broken-hearted. I love you guys and thank you so much for reading I’m sorry it’s so long, i am praying for u all.
Lord bless,
Natalie

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Finding Hope - Book #1
Hope Lawson’s bakery has been a haven to Ethan Grey’s troubled soul ever since that horrible accident when Ethan lost everything. He lost his family, his faith, and his dignity. Now, he’s turned to alcohol to fill his voids, but is it really working? Problems seem more out of hand, and depression is slowly seeping in holes where there used to be joy. Hope’s compassion runs deep for the alcoholic whose lifeless eyes could use a sparkle of hope. When she steps out in faith to help Ethan, Ethan’s faced with the struggle of his intimidating past. Everything in him begs a second chance for a better life, but is it worth it? Is it worth giving up the alcohol that beckons him every waking second? Is it worth opening up about his past?Will Ethan begin to realize that he needs Someone better than himself to save him? Will Hope be able to help remove the blinders from Ethan’s eyes, so he can truly see his life for what it could be? And will it spark more than a friendly, Christ-like gesture between the two of them?

Finding Faith - Book #2
Police Chief Mark Lawson is known for being Alton, Illinois' biggest hero. But when an angry teen and one bullet are two factors to the product of his fate, Mark's life is put at risk, and the odds are not in his favor. ICU nurse Emma Stirling has nursed many patients in her career, but she's never met someone like Mark Lawson. Sure his big brown eyes are attractive, but something interests her more...his faith in God. But who is God again? While Mark is clinging onto his life in Emma's care, will he be able to help Emma find faith? Will something romantic spark between the two of them?

Finding Love - Book #3
Well-known baker Brianna Lawson may speak her mind quite often and have a witty sense of humor, but she's clever at using those qualities to mask her fears. When the man that used to haunt her in her sleep emerges from hiding, Bri can't get a grip on her spiraling anxiety. Deputy Police Chief Brandon Smith has known Bri his entire life, but he's never been let in on the secret that constantly keeps her on edge. When Brandon's own suspicious past begins to unravel, Bri and Brandon realize they have a lot more in common than they thought. But Brianna can't let her guard down, not when her life is at stake.Will Brandon be able to put Bri's stalker behind bars and help her conquer her anxiety in the process? Will they find love along the way?

Devotional Prayer Journal (for the waiting woman!) purchase here ​

Waiting Woman of God, this is for you!
Searching for a way to be content and fruitful in a season of waiting? Letting what you don't have consume your thoughts and wondering what to do with your life as you wait?
Joy and fulfillment can be found when we learn to be content with what we have and to steward it well. Peace can come when we surrender our timeline for God's.

This thirty-day devotional is going to teach you to draw closer to God and THRIVE in your waiting season.

Friend, I don't know what you are waiting on but God does. He sees your heart. He has a beautiful plan for your life. And yes, you can live abundantly in the wait. This devotional is here to teach you that.

This PDF 30-Day Devotional Download Includes:

• Scriptures to read for each day
• A devotion to go along with the Scripture
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Here is a link to the FAF lecture of About Ellen White. very good

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"The shut door theory" is discussed in much detail.

Then don't contribute to it.

Quite often we might even pray for peace but have you personally worked on it? in your own heart.
I know my own heart can get stirred, riled, when I see posts or hear comments that I disagree with.
But truly, that is where our most difficult work starts. I am talking about equanimity no matter what happens.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if

“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

and

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

That little three letter word there say sit all. "Let"

Many of the posts on this forum are good examples of not letting.

But I am finding that the more challenging work is with family. They push my buttons, test me and help me to practice peace daily.

But here also, I often feel good about not responding at all to posts I think are ridiculous.

So, changing my reactions to real life disturbances is a slow and difficult process. But with the grace of Christ I am seeing changes. It takes vigilance, watchfulness, mindfulness 24/7.

Who is with me?

Halo,

there is one question that bothers me. (Although I believe also in reincarntion and so I can give the answer myself. The simpliest answer would be: Before you are born you chose the moment in your life you will meet God... but this answer ist not enough because, who would God be if it would be predistinated if you are atheist or not???).

How do people find or reject God???? It is known that sin leads to believe God would not exist, especially in younger years. Sexual sins when you are young. But it is written in the bible that people who do not believe in God would supposely know very well God exists and would do this out of evil??? Do not ask me where I read this in the new testament I do not remember.

If you take me for example. As a child I already talked to God before my parents even told me about Jesus. When I was young adult I nearly lost my faith. I sincerely believe that it was FANTASY of my own that lead me to the experience to TRY OUT IF GOD EXISTS by starting a prayer! And God immeadetly responded. So why are atheists evil? Maybe they do not have enough FANTASY to start a prayer? And many people find God only if they loose everything, money health and family, out if DESPAIR.

And if you show atheists a VIDEOS about the christian wonder on youtube ( miracle of damascus part 10, from minute 3:45) some SEE and start to believe, some have still wooden boards in front of their eyes and think about fraud. It is like the Quran says: They have wooden board in front their eyes. This the Quran says about christians .

(or for those who need a non-paywall version)


I think he does a good job explaining some things here and perhaps lays out some uncomfortable truths with regards to analyzing why some people on the right have hitched their wagon to Trump, as well as gives some perspectives that don't conform to the standard "People who support him are either stupid, bigoted, resistant to change, or all 3" kinds of talking points.

You do not have to take my word as when you read 2 Peter 3:15 and 16 explain why !!

#1 Even as our BELOVED brother Paul also according to the WISDOM given unto him HATH WRITTEN ( I believe it is Hebrews ) unto you !!

#2 Beginning in verse 16 , ALL / PAS in the ACTIVE CASE , and in the PLURAL

#3 And speaking in his EPISTLES / EPISTOLE , is in the DATIVE CASE , and in the PLURAL .

#4 In THEM / AUTOS , is a PERSONSAL POSSESSIVE PRONOUN in the DATIVE CASE in the PLURAL .

#5 THESE THINGS / TOUTON , is a DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUN , in the GENTIVE CASE , in the NEUTER and is PLURAL

#6 ARE / ESTI , in the PRESENT TENSE , INDICATIVE MOOD and means that verse 16 is true , in the SINGULAR .

#7 Are HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD / DYSNOETO Iis in the NOMINATIVE CASE , means the subject of the verse , in the PLURAL , and is in the NEUTER which means either , male or female .

#8 That they that are UNLEARNED / AMATHES , in the NOMINATIVE CASE , and is PLURAL .

#9 ARE UNSTABLE / ASTERIKTOS , also in the NOMINATIVE CASE , and PLURAL .

#10 WREST / STREBLOO in the Greek PRESENT TENSE , ACTIVE VOICE , INDICATIVE MOOD is a FACT and PLURAL

#11 THE / HO , DEFINITE ARTICLE that is pointing that they are always WRESTING all other scriptures , unto there own DESTRUCTION .

Why do we follow Paul , 1 Cor 11:1 says to be IMITATORS of him , just as I also am of Christ '

dan p

what's you're interpretation of Mark 16:18 ?

Interesting article.

The concept of the elect

Romans 11:

7b The elect obtained it [salvation], but the rest were hardened,

Click to expand...

There were two mutually exclusive groups, the elect and the hardened.

Mark 13:

20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect [G1588], whom he chose, he shortened the days.

Click to expand...

elect,
ἐκλεκτοὺς (eklektous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1588: From eklegomai; select; by implication, favorite.
Strong's Greek: 1588. ἐκλεκτός (eklektos) — 23 Occurrences

HELPS Word-studies:

Cognate: 1588 eklektós (an adjective, derived from 1586 /eklégomai, "to select, choose," also used as a substantive/noun) – properly, selected (chosen from, out of), especially as a deeply personal choice – literally "chosen, out of a personal preference (intention)."

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The noun or adjective G1588-elect was related to the verb G1586-chosen.

He has chosen,
ἐξελέξατο (exelexato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1586: To pick out for myself, choose, elect, select. Middle voice from ek and lego; to select.
Strong's Greek: 1586. ἐκλέγομαι (eklegó) — 22 Occurrences

God chose the elect to be saved.

22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

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God chose the elect to be saved even if some are led astray by false christs.

27 And then he [Christ] will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

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God's promise to the elect is sure.

Romans 8:

33 Who will bring charges against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;

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God justifies the elect. On our part, Col 3:

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

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God elects us to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. The elect are God's chosen people.

On what basis do you think God elects? Is it random?

It is not random. A random selection will not guarantee the elect will be kind people. It is based on divine omniscience. Ro 8:

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.

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A Russian court fined Apple 400,000 rubles — around €4,000 — for failing to remove material on Apple Podcasts it considered to be false, reported Russian state-run news agency TASS.

The same court also later fined Wikipedia 3 million rubles — around €29,000 — for the same offense.

Last week Gary Arivett was arrested and is facing three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member under the age of 18. He has since been released after posting a $100,000 dollar bail.

The survivor says Arivett has been a pastor at Shiloh Apostolic Church in Henning for nearly 30 years. For her privacy, she does not want to be named, but says she and her sisters were abused for years.

“The fact that he is a pastor in a leadership position with access to as many young children with very trusting parents who aren’t aware of the monster they are allowing near there children, it needed to be public, it needs to get out there, they need to know,” said the survivor.

It was, Leviticus 20:

18 If a man lies with a woman during her monthly period and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has also uncovered it. Both of them must be cut off from their people.

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Does this law apply to Christians today?

I don't think so since this law addressed the Israelites thousands of years ago. Some OT laws are relevant to us today; some are not.

Should married couples have sex when the woman is menstruating?

That's up to the husband and wife to decide together, 1 Corinthians 7:

5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

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Login to view embedded media A professor dryly explains protein synthesis with chalk and a blackboard, until minute 3. Then the surprise begins.
It is even funnier if you know the Jabberwocky poem.