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pastorwaris · Wednesday at 7:40 AM

FireDragon76 said:
Anybody that treats discipline casually should remember, "with what measure you judge, it will be judged against you". Only the most egregious sins warrant church discipline in the form of expulsion, ones that threaten the good order of a church. Using it to shame, humiliate, or control other people isn't right.

Thank you for sharing your perspective it’s a thoughtful and necessary reminder that church discipline must always be handled with deep humility, reverence, and spiritual discernment.

You're right: "with what measure you judge, it will be judged against you" (Matthew 7:2) is a sobering warning to anyone in a position of spiritual authority. We should never approach church discipline as a tool for control or humiliation. That would be a grievous misuse of Christ’s teaching. However, I do believe there's a broader purpose for biblical church discipline than just dealing with the "most egregious sins."

In Matthew 18:15–17, Jesus lays out a clear, gracious, step-by-step model for church discipline not to shame, but to restore. The goal is always redemption, never rejection. Paul echoes this in Galatians 6:1, urging us to restore a fallen brother "in a spirit of gentleness," being mindful of our own weakness.

Yet sadly, as the survey shows, many churches today avoid discipline altogether not because no one is sinning, but often out of fear of conflict, cultural pressure, or misunderstanding what love truly means. And this avoidance, ironically, can weaken the body.

Church discipline, when rooted in love and truth, serves multiple purposes:

It protects the church from false teaching and divisive behavior (Titus 3:10, Romans 16:17).
It helps the sinner see the seriousness of sin and opens the door to repentance (1 Corinthians 5:5).
It preserves the witness and integrity of Christ’s body before a watching world (1 Peter 2:12, Philippians 2:15).

I totally agree with you that it should never be used as a weapon to control or embarrass someone. That’s spiritual abuse, not biblical discipline. But I’d gently suggest that the church does the Body no favors by treating discipline as a last resort only for scandalous sin. Even smaller, hidden sins can spread like leaven if left unaddressed (1 Corinthians 5:6–7).

The early church understood this balance. They were committed to both grace and accountability two sides of the same coin. Today, recovering that balance might just be one of the ways we revive holiness, unity, and power in our churches again.

Thanks again for raising this. It’s a conversation the modern church truly needs.

Grace and peace to you.

eclipsenow · Wednesday at 7:39 AM

iluvatar5150 said:
I'm glad the Trump administration is so concerned with human trafficking. No deplorables here.

I hear you. I keep telling myself not to worry about what appears to be deadly snakes in the raging river of rubbish that comes out of Trump's mouth - as he uses these trolling moments to distract from the bigger agenda. But then every so often the sheer arrogant hypocrisy of it appears to let them through my guard. I'm so busy thinking of how to explain why this is wrong to MAGA types - that I might forget the real agenda - the swarm of crocodiles and hippos in his two word answer: "I dunno!".

The question? Should the President obey and support the Constitution!?
"I dunno" should fail a citizenship test - let alone disqualify from holding public office - let alone the highest office the land!

But yes - this particular distraction snake has a certain nasty bite - especially when so many in the church try to argue Trump is a sincere Christian!

FutureAndAHope · Wednesday at 7:29 AM

Kathleen30 said:
Xeno why didn’t the Catholic Church continue to lay the foundation of St Augustine’s theology. It’s seems to have retreated in the archives of the ages for nearly a millennia. Until the Reformation

The fact is that for the 400 years before Augustine all the Church Fathers spoke of man's responsibility in salvation, that man is free.

1. This expression [of our Lord], “How often would I have gathered thy children together, and thou wouldest not,” (Mat 23:37) set forth the ancient law of human liberty, because God made man a free [agent] from the beginning, possessing his own power, even as he does his own soul, to obey the behests (ad utendum sententia) of God voluntarily, and not by compulsion of God. For there is no coercion with God, but a good will [towards us] is present with Him continually. And therefore does He give good counsel to all. And in man, as well as in angels, He has placed the power of choice (for angels are rational beings), so that those who had yielded obedience might justly possess what is good, given indeed by God, but preserved by themselves. On the other hand, they who have not obeyed shall, with justice, be not found in possession of the good, and shall receive condign punishment: for God did kindly bestow on them what was good; but they themselves did not diligently keep it, nor deem it something precious, but poured contempt upon His super-eminent goodness. (Irenaeus [A.D. 120-202], Against Heresies - Book 4 Ch 37 The Way and Free Will)

Why would the church accept Augustine's doctrine?

DragonFox91 · Wednesday at 6:40 AM

You are so consistent in your devotions JP! That is good. Keep doing it.

For my devotions, rather then trying to hit what we covered in AM, Sunday School, & PM services, plus my own devotional, what I was doing in the past, I'm choosing to focus on just one all week & work on that one all week

rocknanchor · Wednesday at 5:44 AM

''A terrifying new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has found that extensive use of ChatGPT may be rotting our brains.

Researchers at MIT's Media Lab asked participants to write SAT-style essays while dividing them into three groups: one used ChatGPT, another used Google, and the third relied only on their own knowledge — the "brain-only" group.

Brain activity was tracked using EEG machines, which recorded how engaged different parts of the brain were during the writing process.

The results showed that the ChatGPT group had the lowest brain activity and performed the worst overall in terms of thinking, writing quality, and focus. ...

The study warned that relying too much on AI tools like ChatGPT can reduce critical thinking skills, especially in young people.

The lead researcher, Nataliya Kosmyna, said she rushed the findings out because she's worried about AI being introduced too early in schools.

"What really motivated me to put it out now before waiting for a full peer review is that I am afraid in 6-8 months, there will be some policymaker who decides, 'let's do GPT kindergarten,'" she told TIME magazine.

"I think that would be absolutely bad and detrimental," she continued. "Developing brains are at the highest risk."

SOURCE

Christsfreeservant · Wednesday at 5:15 AM

rusmeister · Wednesday at 2:59 AM

ArmyMatt said:
I will add as well that Fr Stephen De Young often points out that one of the reasons we have not rejected the Masoretic text is that some words and phrases make more sense and are more clear in Hebrew than in Greek.

I can confirm the truth of that just by having lived with both the KJV (which I grew up with) and the Church Slavonic and Synodal version. Sometimes the KJV was clearer, sometimes the OCS/Synodal v. was clearer. I understood more by dealing with both texts and seeing it stereoscopically.

Now I’m doing Serbian, which I find surprisingly easy to read, though their italics throw me for a loop, having letters that are upside-down from Russian italics.

David Lamb · Wednesday at 1:49 AM

thomasw60 said:
Getting to know each other at church and there view s an beliefs

It is, but I am wondering why you posted it under "Creation and Theistic Evolution."

David Lamb · Wednesday at 1:33 AM

jacks said:
Next time I will put a Smiley Face in the post.

Obviously concave otherwise the water would just run out over all the dry land.

Of course!

BobRyan · Tuesday at 10:58 PM

Michie said:
The Scriptures offer us a sobering reality: our perception of ourselves can be completely out of sync with how God sees us. Nowhere is this more evident than in Revelation 3:17, where Jesus rebukes the church of Laodicea and said, “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

This chilling contrast reveals that it is possible to be fully convinced of your spiritual health while being utterly bankrupt in the eyes of God. Sadly, many professing believers are self-deceived, thinking they are secure when they are actually standing on shaky ground. At the judgment seat of Christ — where believers are evaluated for eternal rewards, not eternal punishment — many may experience deep regret for how they lived.

The following are 10 common ways people deceive themselves spiritually and what Scripture reveals about God’s true standard.

1. Are you merely religious, or are you truly born again?

John 3:3–8

Jesus told Nicodemus, a devout religious leader, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Continued below.

10 ways people deceive themselves about their faith

The Scriptures offer us a sobering reality our perception of ourselves can be completely out of sync with how God sees us

www.christianpost.com

in Matt 7- Jesus said that the "many" are "self-deceived" saying "Lord Lord did we not do this... and that... in Your Name?"

But Jesus says to them "depart from me"

So how is it that someone is undeceived?

John 16 says God sends the Holy Spirit (God the Holy Spirit - 3rd person of Godhead) - that "convicts THE WORLD of sin and righteousness and judgment".

Rom 8:14-16 says that for those that submit to God 'The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we ARE the children of God".

The personal - , private - one on one interview with God that we have in this life, in quiet moments of worship and listening - where God Himself speaks to us.

Isaiah 41:10
‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Palmfever · Tuesday at 10:15 PM

Taybeh's church burning demands a more honest reporting | The Jerusalem Post

Newsrooms blasted out bulletins that settlers had torched Taybeh’s 1,500-year-old Church of St. George, but independent reporting told a different story.

www.jpost.com

FaithT · Tuesday at 10:08 PM

FaithT said:
I never heard that one before.

I don’t think that would offend me, either.

hldude · Tuesday at 9:41 PM

YouTube Channel Video Devo
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“Trust The Process”
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

This past Saturday, I ran a 5K with a friend of mine from church. We were both really excited to run in the same race again. Before the race started, we were talking about setting pace and I mentioned how I wanted to get below a certain time. My friend offered to pace me and get my time lower. However, he told me to just listen to him, keep up and don’t look at my race watch. I agreed with the pace he told me and I ran along with him.

Throughout the race, we chatted a lot together and he commented on my breathing as well as asking me how I was feeling. He also encouraged me to keep up when he went faster and explained when he was going to go faster. The last mile, I was hurting and I had to mentally push myself to finish. I was exhausted, but at the end, I sprinted as well as I could. We crossed the line together and I took a few minutes to catch my breath.

When I looked at my final time, I almost fell down! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! He took me faster than I thought he would. He was sneaky and pushed me harder than the pace time he had originally said. Why?? Because he knew I was capable and could do it. Hearing that blew me away! I had an idea in mind and he took me beyond that! I trusted him to take me through the race and coach me to get a better time. And….he did!

I spent the rest of the day and weekend just blown away at what I had just done. But, I could NOT have done it if I ran on my own. He had a strategy in mind and knew what he was doing. I did not. I just trusted the process and gave it my all.

Friends, so often in our lives, we have our own ways and try to do so many things on our own. We want to improve, but we don’t know exactly how aside from what we think might work. My friend had actually recommended me to set a pace and keep that the entire race, so that was the first 5K race I had done that. It worked and it was amazing!

If we trust God in life and let go of what we think are good ideas and trust His process and timing, amazing things happen! All weekend, I just kept thanking God for this opportunity and for what my friend had pushed me and encouraged me to do. I just couldn’t believe I had done that well and didn’t think I was capable of it quite yet.

We have to trust His process. We have to trust and let Him guide, even when it hurts and we don’t think we can finish. If I had run the race on my own, this would not have happened. I am grateful for my friend’s encouragement and I am grateful that God gave me the endurance to finish this well.

When life gets tough, trust in Him and His process.

RabbiJames · Tuesday at 9:19 PM

PARASHA: “Pinchas” NUMBERS 25:10-29:40

This Torah portion starts with a somewhat surprising promotion in rank for an execution committed, and rather suddenly. Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron was a Levite, and during the time of the “weakness and falling away of the men of Israel, He took matters into his own hands, and slew Zimri and Cozbi, who were committing fornication in the sight of all Israel, yet Adonai rewarded him for this and gave him an “everlasting covenant of peace and an everlasting priesthood” because he was “Zealous” for his God, because he made an “atonement” for the Children of Israel”.

to understand this, we must go back to the story of "Balak". King Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel, yet Adonai did not do this, as Adonai prohibited this. Adonai has already blessed Israel, and whoever Adonai has blessed, no one can curse. However, through the evil counsel of Bilaam, he let Balak know that the Israelites could bring a curse to themselves by going after the pagan gods of Moab and Midian, which would be through the enticing invitations of the women of Moab.

The Torah says that the Children of Israel went after the Moabite prostitutes and went to worship their god “Baal-Peor,” thus bringing down the wrath of YHVH. The result was a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites until Pinchas took action by taking a lance and thrusting it through the bellies of Zimri and Cozbi, thus “staying” the plague. As Adonai called it, “making an atonement for the children of Israel. "Blood for Blood." God gave Pinchas "A covenant of Peace." "Brit Shalom". What is interesting is that the "Vav" (or the letter "o") in the original Hebrew in the word "Shalom" is broken in half. What could this mean? One explanation is that Israel "Was" at peace before the Moabite women came to entice the men of Israel to go worship their gods, but the peace was "broken" through the worship of Baal and the fornication until Pinchas made "blood atonement."

Our Messiah Yeshua had never been separate from the love and fellowship of the Father, yet that "Shalom" was "broken" temporarily when he hung on that cross and bore our sins, as he cried "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachtani" (My God, My God, why have you forsaken me)

Another thing we must remember is that we ALL have two natures, the “Yetzer Hara” (The evil inclination, or the sin nature) and the “Born again” spirit-filled nature that comes when we accept Yeshua as Messiah and LORD. Both live inside us, and something can “trigger” that old sinful nature and cause havoc and misery in our lives. In the case of the Israelite men, it was the arrival of the Midianite and Moabite prostitutes of Baal-Peor, and not only did they bring a curse upon the encampment of the Israelites, but they also brought death to 24,000 of the population.

Now, it seems like a large number, but if we realize that the Israelites probably numbered 2 or 3 million, then that number is quite small. We also need to realize that not ALL of Israel went after “Baal-Peor,” only the ones that went after the prostitutes. Yet the whole nation of Israel was affected. One can also ask a question: “Can one change his or her nature of being?” To answer this question, we need to look at a story.

A king once had two sons. To test them, he asked them that question. The first son said, “Yes, one can change his or her nature.” Yet the second son said, “No, one can never change his or her nature.

The king then said, “Go out and prove your statement; you have a week.” So, both sons went out, and after a week, they returned to the palace. The first son came near the king and queen with a large cloth bag. He put it on the floor, and out came a cat. The cat was dressed in fine linen and had a servant’s hat. The cat got up and walked on its two hind legs and lifted a small silver tray towards the king and queen. On the tray were two chocolates. The king and queen smiled and marveled at the cat and accepted the two chocolates. Everyone applauded! How wonderful!

The second son said, “Wait a minute.” He took a small cloth bag and emptied it on the floor, and out ran 5 mice. When the cat saw the mice, it dropped the tray and ran after the mice on all four paws. “You see,” said the son, “the cat went back to its old nature, it only needed a 'trigger”. You can dress a cat with fine clothes and teach it a few tricks, but it will always be a cat, and cats chase mice according to their feline nature.

We will always have our “old nature of sin” with us, and it will rear up its ugly head, as Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) testifies in Romans 7:14-25. Only physical death will free us from the “old sin nature.” Every day, it is a constant battle. The spirit against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit.

Another Prophet who showed "Kana" (zeal) for God was Elijah, who slew the 450 prophets of Baal after God accepted the sacrifice on the altar, and all the people saw that. They were convinced, and many turned from Baal worship.

Later on, in this Parashah, we see that Moshe intercedes for Israel when Adonai tells him to go up Har Abiram and take a look around, because he will die there. Adonai appoints “Yehoshua” as Moshe’s successor to lead the people into the promised land. We see two leaders now, “Pinchas,” who is granted the title and inheritance of “High Priest” for his action, he symbolizes the “Kana” (Zeal) for Adonai, and Yehoshua, who is given the “Ruach Elohim” to lead the people. Yehoshua is the same as “Yeshua” for HE is the one who leads US in our lives today. Yeshua also showed “Kana” when he drove out the money changers in the temple, he used a bit of violence, yet not for “religious” reasons, but for the “love” of HIS father and for respect for HIS HOUSE. Today HIS HOUSE consists of all “Kehilot” (assemblies) of born-again believers all over the world, not buildings

There are other ways one can show “zeal” for YHVH today: loving His Torah, obeying his commandments, teaching His Word to those who would listen, loving our neighbors, supporting our local body of believers, and voting for government officials who also uphold biblical standards. Pointing out sinful ways to sinners (in a loving, not condemning way) and pointing them to a personal relationship with Yeshua, our Messiah.

Chapters 28 and 29 deals with the review of the sacrifices and offerings that the Israelites would offer to YHVH. Remember that they are about to cross over the Jordan to possess the promised land. There, they would be “permanent residents,” and the fight would continue to cast out the Canaanites (another reason for the census) to see how many “fighting men” the nation consisted of. Every element of the offerings and sacrifices illustrates who YESHUA is and what he stands for;

2 lambs per day, fine flour with oil; Yeshua, who is the Lamb of God, who is the BREAD of Life, who has the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) within him. The oil symbolizes the Spirit of Elohim, and the “anointing by the Spirit on ALL believers. Wine was also used to pour over the sacrifices; the “wine” symbolizes the blood of Yeshua that ran down the cross, out of his veins for an atonement for all who believe and accept his sacrifice for sin. Bullocks were also sacrificed; the bullock symbolizes “strength” as the ancient symbol of the letter “Alef” was in the form of a bull. Adonai is “strength,” yet he allowed himself to become “lower than the angels” to walk as a man and be a willing sacrifice for sin. The goats remind us of Yom Kippur, one was set free and the other sacrificed, reminding us that our sins were “cast away” from us as well as dealt with on the cross. The sacrificed rams remind us of the “ram” that was in the thicket when Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice. That ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac, just as Yeshua was offered as a blood sacrifice in our place.

The sacrifice of Yeshua was ALL SUFFICIENT, for ALL TIME. Nothing lacking. We need to accept HIS sacrifice and atonement for sin in THIS LIFE, because our decision in THIS LIFE will determine where we will spend our NEXT LIFE.

Gregory Thompson · Tuesday at 8:53 PM

You know, I am reminded of ...

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Earthbear · Tuesday at 8:48 PM

Grafted In said:
Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions.

We are elderly. I'm 75, he 72.

You are still youngins, In Eden people lived for hundreds of years, Noah was around 500 when he was building the ARK.

The only thing I could think of is if there were problems in the church or not.

ozso · Tuesday at 8:47 PM

Akita Suggagaki said:
I wish the Right could just acknowledge this corruption.

And thus vote Democrat in 26.

Earthbear · Tuesday at 8:37 PM

1) Instant forgiveness is bad sometimes, especially if it lets people walk over you over and over. This happened to me in childhood. Forgiveness should be done when the offending party repents. Real forgiveness, from the heart, instead of as an ideal to do as fast as possible, should heal the soul rather than store up resentment.

Matthew 6:14 - "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Romans 12:19 - "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord."

Here are two bible verses that might help you. The point of forgiving is to ensure you are forgiven and healed in your heart. If you are concerned with judgement and accountability you can trust God that God is a righteous judge without fault and will administer justice fairly.

2) How does one have a chance to forgive if one never gets to meet someone again? Is turning them and their offenses over the Jesus for forgiveness the way to forgive them and let go?

This could be similar to the good samaritan. A man was beaten almost to death and left stranded and passed by several priests and others. He would have to forgive the person who robbed him and almost killed him as well as the others who left him for dead.

Sometimes this could be an ex-partner or someone where there is no longer any contact. You can forgive these people from your heart but you do not need to seek them out, rather than try to seek these people out you can just seek God instead.

3) What if the abuser is a complete evil narcissistic psycho instead of someone who is just of a mean personality or having a bad day? That takes an extra long time to forgive compared to the above, and probably not in person. The Israelites didn't forgive the Canaanites on the battlefield, they conquered them. Jesus didn't just stand there and forgive the mob when they chased Him, He escaped (when it was not yet His time [to be captured]). When Jesus says turn the other cheek, He's speaking of social dynamics of getting along with fellow people where there are friends and enemies and heated disagreements, not threat-to-safety situations and abusive malice that needs to be escaped or survived. Love will always calm the troubled waters of anyone except someone with evil criminal malice against you.

Matthew 5:45 - "that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Romans 2:4 - "Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (21st king james)

The goodness of God is what helps lead people to repentance. What might help you is to try to put yourself in their situation or the golden rule treating them the way you would want to be treated.

Rather than view them as a horrible person, try to think what kind of life did they have that caused them to become the way they did? Some people suffer cruel horrific fates in the world, there is always a factor of time and luck, some are very unfortunate.

Some people witness or experience these calamaties and decide they must be ruthless and merciless in the world in order to survive. This stems from a nature which is seperated from God, this nature may seem right to people but in the end it leads to death.

If you had the full eternal perspective of God you would understand their fate and ending and you would see that God is a fair judge and that such a fate is so horrifying that God would not want any to perish.

A good example is reading Luke chapter 16 the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

4) What is forgiveness really anyways? I've come across many definitions. I think forgiveness means to let go of the the fault or the person on the mind, and to turn it over to God to handle the injustice, but still once bitten twice shy if the person is bad influence or dangerous of course, gotta stay safe and sane. Forgive but don't necessarily forget.

Matthew 10:16 tells people to be wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove. You may need to be more cautious or prudent especially if you are a vulnerable person such as someone who is on the autism spectrum. Thankfully with God you are able to use your situations and even any weaknesses as strengths.

Yes you want to protect yourself from bad situations and you can always ask God for more wisdom.

Reginald Taylor Jr · Tuesday at 8:09 PM

Ephesians 6:12 KJV
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
My Intrepretation: To Rely on Gof by speaking faith , reading your bible ,praying to God
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Reading your bible praying to God
2 Corinthians 2:14 -17KJV [14] Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
[15]For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:[16]To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?[17]For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Me bot being a denon or devil
Colossians 3:15 KJV
[15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Principle To All Religions Psalm 9:1 KJV
[1] I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
Word Written and Spoken by Reginald Taylor Jr

rockytopva · Tuesday at 7:59 PM

After that… Miracles! Even this is no longer the 70’s… God is still interesting in doing wonderful things in our lives!

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linux.poet · Tuesday at 7:41 PM

MOD HAT ON

This thread has had a cleanup of problematic posts as regards the Christian Forums Statement of Faith.

All posts in the Christians-Only subforums must be in alignment with Trinitarian beliefs.

MOD HAT OFF

Bobthebomb · Tuesday at 7:36 PM

ldonjohn said:
This is how I know.

I was raised attending a fundamental Baptist church in east Texas. Every Sunday our preacher's sermon was about accepting Jesus as savior or go to hell. I heard about sin, hell, Jesus dying on the cross, and “believing” in Jesus. At age 13 we had a week long revival and at the end of each of his sermons the visiting preacher would walk up and down the aisle begging people to go to the altar to accept Jesus as their savior. At the first service I remember thinking to myself “I hope he doesn't come over to me.” Well, he did, and when he put his hand on my shoulder, I found myself walking down the aisle to the altar. I was met by my SS teacher at the altar, and he asked me if I wanted to accept Jesus as my savior. Of course, I said “yes” so he had me repeat a prayer after him. I was told that I was now “saved,” and the next Sunday I was baptized in the regular church service.

By the time I was about 17-18 years old I wasn't sure if anything I had heard in church was true. I didn't care anything about going to church; I forgot about God and did things teenagers do. Later I finished high school, went to college & graduated not knowing what kind of job/career I should pursue, and finally settled into a teaching career as a math teacher, got married and started thinking about things young married couples think about.

By the time I was about 25-26 years old I stated to question myself about thinking that God was not real. I had serious doubts about all the stuff I had been taught in church as a kid being true. I wasn't convinced that the bible was true or that God existed. I did not understand how “believing in Jesus,” if he WAS real, would save anyone, and I did not understand how saying a prayer “in Jesus' name would save anyone. None of it made sense to me and I just did not get it. But, although I did not “get it,” and I wasn't convinced that any of it was true, for some reason I began to think a lot about what would happen to me if I was wrong, and the bible is true.

After several miserable years of doubting the truth of the bible, I started going to the church that I grew up in and pretend to be a Christian. Deep down inside I knew that I seriously doubted that I was a true “believer,” and many times I would try to work up a sense of “belief” then say a prayer asking God to save me. Afterwards I would have peace for maybe a day, but then the doubts would come back and again the fear & misery took hold of my life. The “believe in Jesus” part was the main thing that had me confused; I did not understand the meaning of “believe.” I began to ask people at church a lot of questions about the bible & about believing in Jesus. I still wasn't sure if any of it was true, but I wanted to know one way or the other. I talked to our SS teacher, the preacher, and other Christians. None of them could give me any answers that convinced me of the truth of the bible. No one could explain to me how saying a prayer in Jesus' name would save anyone. No one could convince me what was meant by “believing in Jesus.” I was still as confused as ever and did not know what to do about the matter. I found some books in the church library written by well known Christians authors, and I read those books over & over. Those books only repeated the stuff I had already heard in church. I still did not have any answers that convinced me that I would be “saved” if I “believed in Jesus,' and that I could know, without a doubt, that Jesus would hear me & save me. I thought that there was absolutely NO way I could ever know for sure that I believed in Jesus & was saved. By this time my life was consumed with fear; fear that I had missed something; fear that there was a missing link somewhere that I would never find. Fear that was I facing a tragic future.

I was miserable, hopeless, and helpless. I realized that all the things “I” was doing were not getting me any answers. I did not know what I should do. One night as I lay down to try and get some sleep, I looked up at the ceiling of the bedroom and said a prayer to a God who I wasn't sure existed. I said “God will you show me how to believe in Jesus?” Then I went to sleep and slept better that night than I had slept in a long time.

The next night I found the big family bible, dusted it off, and turned to the Book of John, the Gospel of John. That was the first time I had ever read in a bible outside of church. I did remember someone in church saying that if anyone wants to know about Jesus to read the Book of John.

As I began to read from the first verse of the Book of John I noticed that, for some reason, I was understanding the words I was reading in a way that I had not understood them in the past when reading the bible in Sunday school class as a kid. It was as though there was something inside of me that was enabling me to understand the words. At first it was kind of like a dim light that allowed me to grasp little bits of information that got my attention. When I read the first 14 verses, something inside of me said, “That is Jesus, and he is God who became a man; he created the world everything in it.”
As I continued to read, the light became brighter and I began to see the words I was reading in a different way. When I read John 3:16 it reminded me of all the things I had heard in church about Jesus dying on the cross.

Two verses that really got my attention were John 4:23-24 which said that we worship God in Spirit and in truth, and I saw that I had just found that missing link. That missing link was/is the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, and that light just became much brighter as I realized that I was reading my answer from God. Suddenly I knew that God is real and that He was showing me the truth that I had been searching for.

I continued to read, and found 2 other verses that got my attention, John 5:39-40, where Jesus told the Pharisees that they were searching scripture looking for eternal life and those very scripture told of him, Jesus, but they would not come to him so that he could give them eternal life. Then the light became even brighter as I saw that Jesus wanted me to come to Him so He could give me eternal life.

Next, I discovered even more convincing words in John chapter 6, verses 28- 44, where Jesus told those who were questioning him about the work God the Father required of them, and he told them that the work God required of them was to “believe in” the one whom he has sent. IOW, to believe in Jesus. WOW, that really got my attention, and I was still unsure about the word “believe," but I kept reading because, although I wasn't sure what I was going to find, I was willing to accept whatever it would be if it convinced me how to believe in Jesus. In the rest of verses 30-44 Jesus told those who were questioning him that they can't come to him unless God the Father teaches & draws them to him, Jesus, as they hear and learn from him, God the Father. But the verse that turned that light on to full beam for me was verse 37 where Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

At the moment that God's Spirit turned that light on for me, I “got it.” All the things that I had heard in church as a kid, but did not understand, suddenly made sense to me. I saw that it's all about him. God's Spirit had just convinced me that the finished work of Jesus on the cross paid the penalty for my sin, in full, and that there is nothing that I could do or had to do to make myself acceptable to God for him to save me. I knew that Jesus took care of my sin problem for me, and immediately an enormous sense of relief overwhelmed my troubled soul. The Holy Spirit had just showed me that “believe in” meant to “depend on,” like a child depends on their parents to take care of them. I was convinced that God is real, the the bible is the truth, and that Jesus was waiting for me to come to him so he could save me and change me. I didn't have to try to believe; I couldn't help myself but to do anything except to believe. I could not have stopped myself from believing if I had wanted to. It was as though Jesus was right there in the room with me; no, I did not see a vision of Jesus, but I knew he was alive and there with me. I found myself talking to him, thanking him for dying on the cross for me, and I asked him to forgive my sin and to change me. I asked him to change me “his way.” I didn't really know what that meant, but that's what I wanted. Actually I came to “believe in” or to “depend on” Jesus before I called on Him. Like Romans 10:13-14 says, “...how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?”

That night, over 50 years ago I found a peace that I still have today. It is a peace that is impossible to explain to anyone who has never found that peace for themselves.

Yes, sometimes the devil tries to discourage me by putting the doubts back in my mind. He will try to get me to question my faith by telling me “you didn't really have enough faith,” or “ you didn't really commit your life to Christ,” or you didn't really repent,” or you didn't confess all your sin.” I remind the devil that it is not about anything I did, but it is all about what Jesus did for me on the cross. I will quote verse 3 of my favorite hymn to him.

My sin oh the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord Oh my soul

It Is Well with My Soul, Horatio G. Spafford

And then I quote my favorite scripture to him: John 14:6, “Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”(KJV)

John

I never had any religious upbringing. My parents "believed" but were not practicing Christians in the sense of attending church. I attended Sunday school briefly, though I had stopped going by about six (I don't remember much about it). I know the stories (forgive the expression) though obviously not in any detail. I like the sentiment (NT at least) but I just cannot accept it as real.
I will keep looking though, you never know

Thank you for your reply

AV1611VET · Tuesday at 7:11 PM

Akita Suggagaki said:
I say even Nihil non est nihil. There is energy and substance in God's will before manifesting as creation.

Detectable energy?

Gene2memE · Tuesday at 7:09 PM

Canada is also undergoing a measles outbreak, centred on Ontario

How Canada became the centre of a measles outbreak in North America

Confirmed cases of measles in Canada are nearly three times higher than in the US, despite Canada's far smaller population.

www.bbc.com

The UK went through its own one in 2024, but is slowly getting it out of control.

Confirmed cases of measles in England by month, age, region and upper-tier local authority: 2025

www.gov.uk

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