Results 621 - 640 of 801
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Results from: Notes Author: jlhetrick Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
621 | What do we focus on? | 1 Cor 12:13 | jlhetrick | 183542 | ||
Hello Mark and thanks for the feedback, I have put this issue to rest with justme but I will offer a response to your post. I am one who frequently preaches context so I appreciate your quoting a chunk of justme's post. I can also appreciate that your impression or understanding of what he wrote was different than mine. In this case, you do not fall among those for whom my concern prompted my response to justme. Your response easily represents the reason I opted out of the thread (which I can't seem to actually get out of). Splitting hairs, reading into and out of the very context of the statement, and an overall lack of personal responsibility for what one posts does not represent or support the intentions of the forum. In part, what I mean here is that if my understanding of justme's comment was wrong (which I am not convinced was) there should have been a responsible clarification (which I prompted for at least twice). I do appreciate your attempt at clarify his point for him though. Still, we are left with the statement as it was made and the only acceptable interpretation of it would have to come from the author. Acts 17:11 (ESV) "17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. " God bless, Jeff |
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622 | God helps those who help themselves? | 1 Cor 12:28 | jlhetrick | 164487 | ||
Hello Helen, Personally I believe that this saying is contrary to the teaching of scripture. The bible teaches that every one of us is actually and completely incapable of helping ourselves. Mat 9:35 Then Jesus began traveling through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every illness. Mat 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he was deeply moved with compassion for them, because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Hope this helps, Jeff |
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623 | Why do I want to speak in tongues? | 1 Cor 13:1 | jlhetrick | 212379 | ||
flyman- do you understand why those who waited for the Messiah did not recognize Him when He came? Some very important reasons include that they had a legalistic approach to Scripture and they failed to understand it in context. In other words, the promised Messiah was clearly identified in their OT Scriptures but they were so engrossed in their legalistic, religious control that they were blind to the truth. You have an extremely legalistic approach and as a result fail to begin to understand the fullness of God's grace. Your primary reason for this is your unwillingness/inability to see Scritpure and understand it within the wider context of Scripture as a whole. This is not an insult, just an easily discernable fact based on the content of your posts. This is often the case for many who are unwilling to do the true and hard work of studying the Word of God (or simply don't know where to begin). Instead, they (and I fear you) pull verses and passages out and, through the primary use of their own reason, feelings, and unstudied opinion, conclude meaning based at best on poor logic that is either short on truth or completely contrary to the truth. What's worse, when they are finally exposed to those who have done the work (and are continuing to do it) they refuse to be taught and become argumentative when they are faced with the possibility that they are wrong. This was true, of course, of those folks who refused to believe that Christ was the Son of God. It's very familiar to most of us and very troubling. In an earlier post to someone else you declared (apparently proudly) that you "examine everything from a logical point of view". It's time to be honest and straight forward with you sir. Your logic is hardly academic and poor at best. Sir, you are way out of your league here as you come to argue points that have long been settled as though they are particularly new to yourself as though some new revelation. If you are truly interested in the truth, might I suggest (once again) that you do more study, including reading along here and asking questions when appropriate. You are not ready to teach. You speak of "faulty human wisdom". My friend, consider exactly what that means. Here is an example... "Logically" concluding that there is a contradiction in Scripture. Those claims will absolutely not be tolerated here. I know it may seem outrageous for you to consider but let me suggest it anyway. If you believe something in Scripture contradicts something else in Scripture you can be absolutely sure that it is your understanding of one, the other, or both passages. Great minds (by man’s standards) have given their all to try and prove contradictions in the word of God. They have all failed. It is infallible. Consider, Jeff |
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624 | Why do I want to speak in tongues? | 1 Cor 13:1 | jlhetrick | 212391 | ||
Yes flyman- but even when others are giving you good advice about what to do you still refuse to do it. I fear you need more help than this type of forum can offer you. I sincerely recommend a good church that puts priority on the Lordship of Christ and the study of God's word. They are not all true to that so be careful in your search. Once there, be involved in as many bible study functions as possible including Sunday School and small group studies. Don't be afraid to ask questions but most important, recognize your own currrent lack of understanding so that you don't find yourself trying to teach and getting it wrong. Be responsible. 2 Tim 2:15 (NASB) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, ACCURATELY HANDLING the word of truth. (caps added) Jeff |
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625 | Acts 2:2 | 1 Cor 14:6 | jlhetrick | 172356 | ||
Hey John, The first paragraph that you quoted from MacArthur sounds familiar don't you think? Jeff |
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626 | divorce and remarriage for chirstians | 2 Corinthians | jlhetrick | 164238 | ||
Hello Luke, Your statements on sin and forgiveness are good, but I don't believe they are well thought through. Your right that Christ did come to provide atonement for all sin. But I think you might benefit from a look at Romans. A good reference place to start is Romans 5:20 - 6:2 Think on this for a while before resonding if you will. Sincerely, Jeff |
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627 | divorce and remarriage for chirstians | 2 Corinthians | jlhetrick | 164239 | ||
Hello Luke, Your statements on sin and forgiveness are good, but I don't believe they are well thought through. Your right that Christ did come to provide atonement for all sin. But I think you might benefit from a look at Romans. A good reference place to start is Romans 5:20 - 6:2 Think on this for a while before resonding if you will. Sincerely, Jeff |
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628 | What happens immediatly after you die? | 2 Corinthians | jlhetrick | 180510 | ||
Hello ebrain, I didn't see the need to respond in depth to parts I, II, and III; but allow me to make a short response here. I don't desire to get into a long, drawn out debate on such a controversial issue. Furthermore, I am confident that you are aware of the biblical evidence that weakens, if not totally defeats, your teaching here. So, my short response here is meant for the benefit of other readers who may not know better. You wrote: "As the events described at 1 Thes 4:13-18, have not as yet taken place, then those believers who have gone to be with Jesus, cannot possibly have bodies, and therfore will not be able to see, hear, touch, taste, talk, and so on,,, be able to make contact with others, and especially to be able to interact with his Maker." I believe your first "assumption" here is an obvious one. Assuming that those who are "asleep in Christ" (in other words christians who have died) have not yet their glorified bodies (I'm not arguing that point); you move on to draw the conclusion that they can neither "see, hear, touch, taste, talk, and so on...be able to make contact with others, and ESPECIALLY TO BE ABLE TO INTERACT WITH HIS MAKER." (emphasis, CAPS., added). Your preface briefly illustrates the need for our Lord to have come in the flesh. But I don't understand how you translate that into the dead in Christ not being able to see, hear, touch, etc. Surely you are not saying that Christ, before His incarnation, was unable to see, talk, or interact with God the Father; are you? In short, I believe that it is fair to say that your teaching, that the dead in Christ (or those who sleep in Christ) are comatose, is a matter of your own opinion and not something you have adequately supported with Scripture (in either part). That is fair right? You wrote: "As the Judgement seat of Christ is also still future, then if those "who sleep in Jesus" are not really asleep at all, then some of them will have waited almost 2000 years to be Judged." So! You are asserting what? That this would be unfair. Furthermore, your own argument of "soul sleep" doesn't change this. If soul sleep is as you say it is, the event known as the judgement seat of Christ is still in the future. So those you speak of have still waited almost 2000 years, and may wait another 2000. Of course your theory does give them some relief as they have slept and have no kowledge of the 2000 years passing. Pretty convenient for those who have died in their sins. I hope you can see how your teaching such a thing (as old as the teaching may be) may be seen as irresponsbile in the light of your not being able to support it with Scritpture. It's another one of those things, ebrain, that has enough mystery to it that leaves us unable to declare it either way definatively, with the support of Scripture. What do we do with that? God bless, Jeff |
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629 | What happens immediatly after you die? | 2 Corinthians | jlhetrick | 180568 | ||
Hello ebrain, Sorry if I offended you, but I won't take responsibility for saying what I did not say. My friend, I believe the insult is from you and being offended is mine to claim. There is nothing in my post that should have been misinterpreted as my having said that you intentionally posted something that you knew to be false. But in the case that you are unable or unwilling to consider my words objectively, I feel obliged to make myself clear. I wrote: "I am confident that you are aware of the biblical evidence that weakens, if not totally defeats, your teaching here." I must retract my entire statement; not because it was what you interpreted it to be, but becuase you have now convinced me that you are not aware of the biblical evidence that weakens, if not totally defeats, your teaching regarding soul sleep. Had you been truly interested in considering my post and it's intent, you would have concluded that I do not take a position that calls yours wrong and another thought right. My point was that this issue has been discussed and debated for a long, long, long time. The conclusions that I have read by most teachers (who I respect and trust) is that the bible simply does not clearly defend either position. With this said, either side can make a very long-winded, logical argument and use Scripture to support their argument (sort of how you did in your 3 parts). My response to you, was to point out that while you are making the argument, there is another view that contradicts you and does so with equal enthusiasm and referencing of Scripture. My fault was in assuming you knew this. My intention was not to offend and certainly not to insinuate or out-right say that you were guilty of false teaching. Please forgive me for not being clear about that the first time. ebrain, I have followed your posts for some time on this Forum. I have agreed with much of what you have to say. I have also disagreed with some of your teaching and even confused by a few things you have posted. I willing to believe that at least one other can say the same thing about my own posts (if not many more). I am long past the place in my life where I believe I have all the answers. I am also long past the point (praise God) where I simply take what others have to say at face-value. Let me end by saying; our goal here on the Forum should always be to teach sound doctrine. On issues such as this one, our responsibility is to demonstrate to the best of our ability what the Scriptures say on the topic. I recommend reading Charles Ryrie. He is one of those I referred to that I respect and trust. I do not agree with every position he takes. I do trust him because where issues are controversial he explains both or all sides of the argument. That's responsibility. (NOTE: I am not saying that C. Ryrie takes either position on the topic of "soul sleep" as I have never read and have no idea what he does or does not believe on the topic. My reference to Mr. Ryrie was regarding his approach to teaching). ebrain, I pray that we do not allow an issue so unessential to our salvation to devide us. God bless, Jeff |
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630 | What happens immediatly after you die? | 2 Corinthians | jlhetrick | 180655 | ||
10-4 Edwin, I agree that there is not further need for discussion on the topic here. Just for the record, I really don't stand firmly on either side, though I do lean heavily in one direction. I try never to claim views or positions any more unless I can establish those with Scripture. Thank you for accepting my apology brother, Jeff |
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631 | Anonymity | 2 Cor 2:15 | jlhetrick | 215303 | ||
Jason, very good read and thanks for pointing. I would like to add another quote from the article as I believe it's a good example of what might be said about forum participation including this one. "I was an invisible Internet user who valued my anonymity and an invisible church-goer who cared little for closer relationships. I wrote often and my articles and reviews were read by many people, but all the while I was safely removed from the people I wrote for and wrote about. I began to see the effect of this in my writing. It became increasingly abrasive and showed a lack of godly character." (Tim Challies) I realize people choose different screen/user names for different reasons that sometimes has nothing to do with the desire to be anonymous. Still, I've wondered why some seem very intentionally anonymous on the forum. Their true identity totally unsearchable here. Jeff |
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632 | verse explains nonChrist knowing savior | 2 Cor 5:15 | jlhetrick | 178246 | ||
Well presented; well said brother Doc, Jeff |
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633 | verse explains nonChrist knowing savior | 2 Cor 5:15 | jlhetrick | 178284 | ||
Hi Paul, I am not a scholar and don't know a darn lick a Greek; but I have a problem following your logic here. Your premise here seems to be something like this. If it is God's will, and God is sovereign, then it will be as He wills it. Not to put words in your mouth (or at your finger tips :) If I am following your argument, does it possibly stand up to the wider interpretation and understanding of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, and the plan of God as presented in Scripture? Let me ask it in a more simple way. Is it God's will that men sin?????? Is it God's will than men not sin????? God bless, Jeff |
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634 | verse explains nonChrist knowing savior | 2 Cor 5:15 | jlhetrick | 178285 | ||
Hi Paul, I am not a scholar and don't know a darn lick a Greek; but I have a problem following your logic here. Your premise here seems to be something like this. If it is God's will, and God is sovereign, then it will be as He wills it. Not to put words in your mouth (or at your finger tips :) If I am following your argument, does it possibly stand up to the wider interpretation and understanding of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, and the plan of God as presented in Scripture? Let me ask it in a more simple way. Is it God's will that men sin?????? Is it God's will than men not sin????? God bless, Jeff |
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635 | verse explains nonChrist knowing savior | 2 Cor 5:15 | jlhetrick | 178306 | ||
Dear brother Paul, While your post was not extremely lengthy, the several points you ponder would take some time and space to address fully. The overall theme appears to be apparent in your questions: " Is Pharaoh God's agent or enemy? Does a loving God harden his heart and then condemn him? Did not God create evil, (Isaiah 47:7) put evil spirits into Saul, (1 Sam 16:14,15) put evil in a city, (Amos 3:6) and uses a lying spirit. (1 Kings 22:22" My first response is to remind that the only way to understand these things is through the lense of Scripture itself. As I am sure you know, when a verse or passage doesn't make sense to us, we have to compare it to the teachings of Scripture as a whole in order to gain the understanding. An understanding of doctrine plainly taught in Scripture usually solves these kinds of questions in our minds. Doctrines such as the foreknowledge of God, God's sovereignty, His righteousness, free will, etc. Was Pharaoh God's agent or enemy? I believe Sripture teaches that he was both. As Pharaoh, the man was believed to be a god, sent by the gods to rule earth. Easily understood, he was God's enemy. A type of Satan if you will. God is sovereign; He has the absolute right to do all things according to His own good pleasure. When we study the captivity of God's people in Egypt, we see that God not only fulfilled His plan in spite of Pharaoh, but used Pharaoh and what he represented to reveal Himself, His glory, and His sovereignty. In this sense, Pharaoh might be seen as God's agent. Begin reading in Ezek 36:16 for a good understanding of how God uses the circumstances of men to glorify Himself and work sanctification in His own. "did not God create evil..." Absolutely not. Nowhere in Scripture will we find such a teaching. And He did not "put" evil Spirits in Saul. He departed from Saul and allowed the evil spirit to terroize Saul. The best Scriptural explanation I can think of to help understand this would be Job's story. Begin at Job 1:1. Finally, you wrote: "Without David becoming a murderer and adulterer and Judah consorting with someone he thought to be a prostitute, we would not have the lineage of Christ. Have such 'sins' been part of His will?" Not how I Understand it. Again, God is sovereign. The Bible says that He is Holy (Joshua 24:19) He is just (Isa. 45:21). He is neither the creator of sin nor does He tempt any many to sin (James 1:13) God's sovereign plan to redeem mankind did not depend on the sin of David or any other man. Rather, the plan was worked out in spite of their sin. God could have worked out the lineage of Christ through any number of events. Exactly why He chose, for example, to allow David's sin a role only God knows. But what we learn over and over again through Scripture is this. When we see God's plan work out in spite of man's sins and failures, we are left with no doubt that it was and is God, and only God that is in control. What would be the alternative? If God's plan work from start to finish through apparently perfect men, who would receive the glory for that? Just my thoughts and understanding. I believe if I would have attempted to address every point you made, this post would have been too long that much more and would have been repetitive. God bless, Jeff |
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636 | verse explains nonChrist knowing savior | 2 Cor 5:15 | jlhetrick | 178344 | ||
Dear brother Paul, I'm thinking that the focus may be somewhat misdirected. There is no importance that I can see in Judas the man regarding the betrayal of Christ. Each one was created for a purpose, yet God depends on none to accomplish His plan. The story of the betrayal speaks of Satan entering Judas, so, by your line of reasoning here, Satan is an essential part of God's plan. By essential, I'm understanding you to say that the essential person is necessary and the plan is dependent on that person. If I am understanding you, your argument seems to be in opposition to the doctrine of God's sovereignty. Another way to think of this would be to personalize it; so I will do that. God created me for a purpose. Because I have been saved by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ, I am convinced that my prupose is included in His plan. With that said, have there been times when God has intended something for me to do and I have not followed through with it. I tell you there has been on more than one occassion I'm sure and can look back and point to some of them specifically (but I won't here :) So I failed to fulfill my purpose on that and probably several different accounts. Did my failure hinder God's plan? To put this on a smaller playing field (so to speak) let's consider God's plan to save person A. God is drawing person A to Himself and tasks me with witnessing to person A. I fail to obey God even when the call to do so is strong in my spirit (and of course I rationalize it all day long). Does person A die and go to Hell? Interested to read your response, God bless, Jeff |
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637 | verse explains nonChrist knowing savior | 2 Cor 5:15 | jlhetrick | 178406 | ||
Dear brother Paul, Thanks for the response. But I'm left feeling like there has been a change of subject here. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in what you write. Allow me to express my own understanding and beliefs regarding what you have written. To begin with, the personalized response in my last post was not to address the work the Holy Spirit is doing in me as an individual. I agree that based on the fact that I feel convicted of my sins I can be reassured that the Holy Spirit is in fact living in me. Not to side-step the issue; this was not the focus of my response. I was speaking to the larger plan that God has and my part in it. Conviction does not always lead to immediate repentance, even in believers. My point was that God's plan (in the case of my illustration) to save an individual does not depend on my cooperation. If He chooses to save person A, and affords me the opportunity to be involved with that and be blessed as a result; my not being obedient (as in not witnessing to person A) will not prevent or even delay God's saving that person. Moving on to other comments in your current post. You wrote: "If God's plan is to form us in His image, then when you felt you had missed Him and were convicted in your heart, had He progressed the formation of Him you? Although you felt failure, He had progressed His purpose, Therefore was it 'wrong'?" The simple answer here is, YES, it was wrong. Disobedience to the Lord is always wrong; there's no justifying it. I believe we agree though that His mercy and His grace is sufficient to overcome our failures and He is able to bless us continually (Rom 8:29) You wrote: "We understand the bible as an explanation of God's law, they where His before He gave them to us. To be formed in His image we must, like Him, we must agree with His laws because we want to, not because we have to." We have no disagreement up to this point, however, there is much more involved. The Bible does explain God's law and His character. But what the Bible says to us about God goes much further. It is His mercy and His grace that is the message to be grasped; that is the message of salvation. That in spite of our inability to keep those laws, His mercy witholds what we rightly deserve and His grace gives to us what we can never achieve on our own. What an awesome, overwhelming testimony to who God really is wouldn't you agree. We agree that as Christians we must come to a place where we choose to obey God; but we are never to forget that it is only by His grace that we are able to do so. Finally, you wrote: "To bring us to this understanding we go through a process of sin which is His plan. Therefore the fall and redemption of mankind is the process, not the frustration of God's plan." I'm not sure I'm grasping your theology in that statement so I will be brief with my response. My understanding and belief is this. God never intends or PLANS for any man to sin. Rather God works His plan perfectly with full knowledge that we will sin, and in spite of us when we do, thus, my original point. God's plan is accomplished in accordance with His perfect will. It never depends on Jeff Hetrick in Las Cruces, New Mexico. With that said, I believe it is important to point out that God did not orchestrate the fall (though he knew it before the creation of the world). Knowing this, He did orchestrate a great, miraculous plan of redemption; this too before the creation of the world. He testified to that in Genisis (see 3:15ff). Thank you brother for the continued consideration. God Bless, Jeff |
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638 | verse explains nonChrist knowing savior | 2 Cor 5:15 | jlhetrick | 178495 | ||
Dear brother Paul, I'm following your logic, but I'm still unable to reconcile it to Scripture. The way I am interpreting your argument; you are saying this (please correct me if I am reading you wrong): You wrote: "God requires alienation before reconciliation." translation (in context of the rest of your posts): God's PURPOSEFUL INTENT was to "create" evil, that is sin, in order to force (require) mankind's separation/alientation from Him. And the purpose behind it was to once again reconcile Himself with man. Not by any stretch of my own imagination do I interpret Scripture in this fashion. Another problem I have with your post brother, is the rewording of the verses. Even the most cautious, well intended attempt at this is dangerous at the very least. I do believe your intentions are well meaning and in the spirit of trying to understand our God and His word as are mine. Let me continue to offer feedback on my understanding of this topic. If we approach the topic of God and his creation from the view that I am understaning that you take, we have the following problems. 1. The Holy and Righteous God explained in Scripture is the creator of sin. 2. That this same God causes man to sin, and in fact requires it. 3. That because God causes/requires man to sin, man has no responsibility for his sin. 4. God is unjust in punishing man for his sin. Back to your hypothesis in a nut-shell. "...the plan of God requires alienation before reconciliation." I believe this thought to be in contradiction to the gospel message. God does not require alienation before reconciliation. Rather, man's sin, which man is solely responsible for, has alienated him/us from God. God's unapproachable love, His mercy and grace provided a plan of salvation through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. God REQUIRES that we trust in that only in order to be RECONCILED to Him. Brother Paul, I do not claim to know it all; in fact, the record of my posts here on the forum represents very well that I do not. But the way I am reading you, it appears that you are in fact rewriting the scripture and doctrine along with it; though I don't believe that is your intent. Again, if I have misunderstood you please redirect my thinking. In the love of Christ, Jeff |
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639 | lev.27:19 | 2 Cor 9:7 | jlhetrick | 198275 | ||
Val- I too used to listen to the late Mr. Burkett. A Godly man in my opinion; always careful to teach financial accountability with sound, biblical principles. Just prior to Larry Burkett losing his battle with cancer my schedule had changed disallowing me the time to hear the program. I was sorry to here eventually that Mr. Burkett had passed away. I'm glad to hear the program continues as I believe the organization has been a blessing to so many. I hope the ministry continues to be upstanding, however, I would have to investigate it's current leadership and activities before I could/would recommend it to another... here on the forum or otherwise. God bless and happy new year! Jeff |
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640 | Beware "Another" | 2 Cor 11:4 | jlhetrick | 156444 | ||
Hello humbled, Thanks for bringing it back to the issue. Too often these threads get way off focus (I know I have contributed to it) and we miss the opportunity to address the issue. Personally, I have tried to push for other's to quote things in context (as others on the forum encourage as well). Thanks for taking Doc's quote of the Pope and putting it in context. I was one of those following along without looking for myself to see what the Pope actually said. I am not Catholic and have a whole list of doctrinal teachings of the Roman Catholic Church that I disagree with based on scripture (as I do with other denominations). Anyway, It appears clear, when taken in context, what the Roman Catholic's Pope was saying. "Anyone who discovers Christ must lead others to him." "But religion constructed on a “do-it-yourself†basis cannot ultimately help us. It may be comfortable, but at times of crisis we are left to ourselves. Help people to discover the true star which points out the way to us: Jesus Christ! LET US SEEK TO KNOW HIM BETTER and better, so as to be able to guide others to him with conviction. (emphasis added). Mar 9:38 John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name. We tried to stop him, because he wasn't a follower like us." Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, "Don't stop him! For no one who works a miracle in my name can slander me soon afterwards. Mar 9:40 For whoever is not against us is for us. Thanks again humbled, Jeff |
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