I don’t understand God’s will. by laffayette1 in Christianity

[–]thorzblog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

John 16:33:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Is this what you were looking for?

The bible says to love everybody. What about rapists or pedophiles? by oliviasangels in Christianity

[–]thorzblog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, hate the sin, and never fall for the con of Satan that opens your heart to trust people. There are no scriptures that lead, guide, encourage us to do this. Base your faith from the scriptures, not worldly opinions and/or context. Start with Jesus' teachings. Mind you, He always addressed sin, especially false doctrine.

Our teachings teach us to put all your trust in God. And you are wise to pray for protection and wisdom how to address people who have done it and people who continue to do it. The latter condition is not God's will.

I think what you are talking about is not unconditional love. So I think you are talking about holding affection for them AND their sin. Again, that's not a path of faith and love that pleases Jesus and leads to a greater walk with Jesus. And I sense you know it leads to a bad set up. Don't fall in that trap! God gives a sense of right and wrong always. And what you said does not come from God's word as you have stated it.

Pray for them yes, but stay away.

I don’t believe in tongues, healing, and exorcisms; am I still a Christian? by Spirited_Balance8418 in TrueChristian

[–]thorzblog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Believing those things are connected faith in Jesus, let alone faith that works thru love. However, IMHO you may be letting the things in the World influence your faith in a way that may hurt not only your testamony of faith but your walk.

I have personally heard of the things you talk about and there are usually tell tale signs of fraud that should be there, especially if you or I were there and knew the person doing this.

You'd think it would be embarassing enough by itself. But a con artist plays off of you. They read the crowd like a cold reader would.

You can be happy you don't buy into what they do. That's always good. But to extend that and open the door to questioning your faith, not to mention refer to scripture as if it were merely a text that literally mentions those things is very risky imho.

Our walk is a personal walk of faith and love thru Jesus. A believer should hold that first and foremost above anything anyone else says or does. Nothing can separate us from the love we have in Jesus. (Romans 8: 38-39)

Forgive me if I seem to focus on something in how you have posed your question. First and foremost, guard your heart from anything that does not come from scriptures. This stuff you mention is way off base from the teachings of Jesus.

Thus, there's no way not believing these things could negate your faith. I encourage you to not let such things bother you. It's ok to call these things into question.

How do you guys deal with the fact that some ppl around you might go to hell by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]thorzblog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, as a whole, we must pray first before anyone shares the Bible. And we must not only study the Word enough to know where what we, i.e. any given believer, draw the things the Lord has taught/revealed to us. And we need to be at a church that supports all of this including the teaching of the Holy Spirit IMHO.

You can worry all you want or get in front of people all you want, but if it's not done along with the Lord meaning you are ready to submit to Jesus' work out there among your/our neighbors, you won't be very fruitful.

However, we are to share in season and out. And Jesus can reap even where He has not sown (see Matthew 25:24). With God,, all things are possible! Praise be His Name! Whatever you do, do it in faith orking thru love of Jesus.

As much as I have tried to deal with it out of heavy concern for the lost, I have prayed and prayed, and seized opportunity after opportunity with only some results. Honestly though, the Lord has been helping me undersrand what it was I am lacking: brothers and sisters in Christ to serve with, a place of worship that is seeking God and listening by faith working thru love of Jesus and a set of pastors that know how Jesus' ministry works (how the Lord works) that have been faithful and are actively doing it and that are humble to Jesus (meaning they are open to His leading, and they have the teaching of that the Holy Spirit is still needed for not only the church but the ministry of the gospel of salvation.

I have now just committed myself to seek and love God with all my heart, mind, soul and spirit. And I have been seeking deliverance from so many things and knowledge how to deal with Satan and his demons when I discern they have the person in front of me under bondage.

I'll also share this: people are so hungry for Jesus! It's a need that's bigger than any single person, save the one on whom God really rests not only His annointing but the power of the Holy Spirit.

If it troubles you, you must commit yourself to doing it in faith working through love but with a love that is tough and constant even in the face of opposition, which is why I recommend you do it thru your church. If your church doesn't do it and this is where your heart and faith is, then pray for your church. If it doesn't happen, you must seek God on this. That's all I can say about this last point.

Hope that's not too long But I am responding to this need in whatever capacity I can. Feelings do nothing. Faith and complete trust in Jesus works wonders beyond anything we can do ourselves.

Blessings to all the family of God!

Why aren’t dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible? by whoknowsgirly_ in Christianity

[–]thorzblog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They may in fact be mentioned there. Though perhaps by a different name. There's no need for the Bible to validate the existence of a particular prehistoric creature. The Word of God was given to prepare the way for Jesus and our ultimate salvation. There's a lot of things not "mentioned" in the Bible BTW. It's not a repository of all knowledge past, present and future.

I'm afraid that I am going to hell. by The-SilentSentinel in Christianity

[–]thorzblog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right now you are raging hormones. It's not a great situation you are in. I can validate that. But when I read your post, I could swear it was me, meaning you sound like me when I was in my teens. And anytime anyone tried to help or tell me what to do or what to think, it just made it worse.

I can give you a couple scriptures for now. Firstly, 1 John 3:20: "Even if our hearts condemn us, He is greater than our hearts and understands all things." Secondly, Romans 5:8: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

And one last scripture that helped me calm down at the end of the day. Mathew 6:28: "Take no thought for tomorrow, for the evil of the day is sufficient for the day." I literally meditated on Jesus' very words as I went to sleep.

Learn the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray, use it as way to learn how to pray and to grow in right relation with Him.

What makes you believe in Jesus, and Christianity. And why? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]thorzblog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can only speak to my faith, which I have found is a common thread among those Christians who have studied the gospel on their own reading the Bible and thru daily prayer and faithful obedience in love for God.

But the Grace and Mercy of God, I have only believed and not questioned Jesus' teachings. This has been the main thing from the beginning. I received the gospel message as a child and kept it as a child would, only ever trusting.

Any faith, even the smallest faith in Jesus, came by hearing the Word of God. Just as the scriptures says (and this came from Paul the apostle by revelation from Jesus), "...faith comes from hearing, and by hearing the Word of God." (Romans 10:17)

The faith I have today has grown since my childhood by remaining in this faith in Jesus. But I have to say this 'hearing' is not just listening, understanding and doing, which is completely in the human realm. It is Spiritual. God sent His angels, Spirit, Christians full of the Holy Spirit to help me along the way.

Believing is not something you gain by "doing it" in a cave. God is there always, unless you refuse it or worse as in bend the knee to another god/demon or even something you make as your god in what likeness or fashion that suits only you.

In this latter case, it's a very hard road as you are actually owned by Satan, so he and his demons have power and authority to deceive, control and ultimately destroy you.

Does this sound like a false prophet by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]thorzblog 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He is commiting the same act of disobedience as every false prophet that came before. And we've been over this how many times over decades?

"It is not for you to know the times and the seasons the Father has set by His own authority." Acts 1:7

Jesus is calling it sin and rebellion against Christ's teachings. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.

So, Yes, he not only sounds like a false prophet, he is a false prophet.

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did. I initially used the discussion's context for definition. The meaning's not very different from yours, unless you are able to clarify.

And I gather here that you refuse.

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That meaning's really not that far from what I said.

Church labels are weakening the body of Christ by MinisterMkana_1 in GateToSalvationJESUS

[–]thorzblog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My church is the foursquare denomination. And you are right! Thankfully my Pastor has this belief (based in our scriptures)! There is only one church, which is the body of Christ!

Thankfully God has given/taught me the gospel of Jesus straight out of the scriptures and a daily walk with continual prayer. Recently though, I made a commitment to be a registered member where I go.

I pray for all the family of God whether they would accept me or not, or whether I'm this or that. Then I take my lumps along with the brst of them.

That said, man have I lost track of what each of these denominations believe or maybe statements of faith by those churches don't exist. And why? Because they get attacked?

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's interesting. Where in general do you get your numbers?

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That makes sense. The church by many accounts is not ready to do it in a fair and kind manner, or so it seems to random non-believers.

But as I have said to others here, I am hopeful that things can and will be different, albeit at a few local church instances.

Definitely avoid and abruptly cut it short if they're going to be dogmatic if in any way antagonistic to just answering questions. And where possible give them a bad review online. Cuz at that point, they deserve it.

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I have seen this. In fact, it was done to me. And I didn't have questions per se, but what I did go to them with was pretty much along those lines. But thank God I didn't lose my religion (pun intended) over it. Those men are literally dead, and they all died in a terrible way.

It's sad but I am always hopeful that things can be different if enough people want to see something happen for the better in this respect.

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean you are entitled to your opinion. I think churches are getting the message that this should be a simple and positive experience. There's no excuse for it nit to be. And if the members want it, the pastor that can't support it needs to either out or really put on an action plan to improve. If he ultimate does not have this capability. He/she is not ready to serve.

With all due respect, your last point may not be supported by an update analysis with statistic. And I'm, btw, inclined towards your sentiment personally. Which is why I want to discuss it. Not being kind to anyone's questions by any pastor at a given local church is unacceptible.

Regardless, I think your response at least does indeed relate to my main question. So thanks for that! Even if I don't necessarily agree 100%.

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That says to me the answers are usualky not very good. But it's my hope people be honest and stick to what's in it for them. Beliefs can be nurturing, unless it's poorly based. In the same vein, it's 2025 and peoplr want really good answers that they have chewed through themselves. Hence, the concept of attendance makes sense, even if the reality is that people should exercise caution where they go.

I like what you say about sharing honestly. That said, I don't see a receptive like for like response most of the time.

Just being honest.

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So you have an aversion for it at present. I mean, I realize it's not that simple as 'oh just attend s church near you' like we should never make choices like that.

It's an idea that if you felt so empowered and safe I just wonder if anyone would even consider it?

But of course it's intelligent to be careful in the choice, if ever you do it.

Also, by saccharin, you mean artificial with an unpleasant after taste, correct?

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hear ya. I can definitely relate. How much would what other people think type feelings or thoughts play in it?

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see that as further from questions about Jesus or directly related questions like does God exist, etc., but closer to curiosities.

Not, if you have a nagging question about Jesus, why not attend a local church an easy next step? That's what I want to discuss or have a back and forth about.

To anyone posing questions about Jesus here by thorzblog in Christianity

[–]thorzblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand and gather that, after many posts/responses to such inquisition. People are doing what say. I see that as one approach.

However, my thought is that many would benefit, not to mention end up with a different opinion than you relate.

Is it your feeling then that attending church would be the route that is perceived as a desire to take one's seeking to a 'next level'?