Idolatry

[MatthewG]

What a great day to be thankful for (though the reality of it I could say I find distasteful.) Thank you to all the wonderful inquiring people and those whom have shared along the way… be it a bad interaction or a good interaction. Let’s forget the bad and press onward for the good.

Discussion, idolatry.

 

[Ziggy]

Yeah. Love God first, and then love your neighbor as yourself.

As common as that phrase is thrown around, you still have to stand firm with human beings.

Examples are everywhere.

1Th 2:1
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
1Th 2:2
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
1Th 2:3
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
1Th 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
1Th 2:5
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
1Th 2:6
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
1Th 2:7
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
1Th 2:8
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1Th 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1Th 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
1Th 2:11
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
1Th 2:12
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

I think sometimes we forget we are all on this pilgrimage together. And everyone wants to be right.
This adventure is more to do with how we treat each other than the road we're on.
Because the road we are travelling IS based on how we treat each other.

And if we are harsh or unjust with our neighbor is it any wonder that sometimes we find ourselves being treated harshly or unjustly.
I don't think we can escape how others treat us. All we can do is escape the same retaliation towards others.

There is no avoidence of being offended or offending others. I believe the answer lies in forgiving others and being forgiven.
Don't hold grudges. Be patient. Everyone is on a different learning curve.
And just when we think we know it all.... lol

Just make sure your "firmness" isn't so adamant that it can't be amended as needed.
We all make mistakes. The hard part is acknowleding them and moving on to better things.
We still have a long ways to go to live up to the standard even Paul set before us.
And he was following Jesus' example.
Everyday a little more perfect than the day before.
Sometimes it takes a lifetime before we even get a glimpse of the picture.

Hugs

 

[MatthewG]

Examples are everywhere.

1Th 2:1
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
1Th 2:2
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
1Th 2:3
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
1Th 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
1Th 2:5
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
1Th 2:6
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
1Th 2:7
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
1Th 2:8
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1Th 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1Th 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
1Th 2:11
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
1Th 2:12
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

I think sometimes we forget we are all on this pilgrimage together. And everyone wants to be right.
This adventure is more to do with how we treat each other than the road we're on.
Because the road we are travelling IS based on how we treat each other.

And if we are harsh or unjust with our neighbor is it any wonder that sometimes we find ourselves being treated harshly or unjustly.
I don't think we can escape how others treat us. All we can do is escape the same retaliation towards others.

There is no avoidence of being offended or offending others. I believe the answer lies in forgiving others and being forgiven.
Don't hold grudges. Be patient. Everyone is on a different learning curve.
And just when we think we know it all.... lol

Just make sure your "firmness" isn't so adamant that it can't be amended as needed.
We all make mistakes. The hard part is acknowleding them and moving on to better things.
We still have a long ways to go to live up to the standard even Paul set before us.
And he was following Jesus' example.
Everyday a little more perfect than the day before.
Sometimes it takes a lifetime before we even get a glimpse of the picture.

Hugs

Well, sometimes you should stand up for what’s right, and not what’s wrong.

Such as abuse to a neighbor, or a demeaning them without a right cause. Those things are wrong.

I’m not to worried about those on here they are responsible for their own self in how the respond or treat a person.

Judge not lest ye be judged, and not everyone really knows how to do that properly, it’s called looking into the mirror at yourself knowing you can’t do it by yourself…

Needing to abide in Jesus knowing whom was the one who died and took away the sins you bore, and he takes them and gives life, which the sin typically kills the soul, but not all sin leads to death.

 

[Ziggy]

Such as abuse to a neighbor, or a demeaning them without a right cause. Those things are wrong.

Oh I see what your saying.

Yeah, chivelry is out the window today for most of humanity.
Compassion is also fleeing and commonsense, well, that left the planet some time ago.

You know back in the days of the early church it was lethal to be found mingling Jews and Gentiles together according to the authorities.
But they did it anyways. They didn't draw swords and fight the authorities, they allowed God to use his own power to direct the outcome.
Prayer is our weapon. And maybe it don't come in a timely fashion as we would consider just. But God has his own time table. And usually his justice leaves a well meaning mark better than we ever could.

Should we be whistleblowers when we see things done wrong?
Well, let's look at heaven and how God was made aware that 1/3 of the angels decided to commit mutiny.
Or the angels that came down to scope out Sodom and Gomorrah because they heard the people crying.
The angels didn't take action, they went back and told God.

I'm still in favor of an eye for an eye, it just seems right to me. But I need to remember that it is God who made the eyes and it's his authority to save them or pluck them out.

I'm still learning.

Hugs

 

[MatthewG]

Jesus called out Hippocrites. He called them vipers. Words sting sometimes but for the better. Especially when it’s truth. If i speak the truth, be it loving or transparent; it’s spoken nonetheless. @Ziggy. That’s the people who claimed to be teachers; Pharisees. Jesus give warnings etc…

 

[Ziggy]

Jesus called out Hippocrites. He called them vipers. Words sting sometimes but for the better. Especially when it’s truth.

John was beheaded for calling them vipers too.
Well that's what got the ball rolling anyways.
Children of the serpent. snakes, vipers, liers, thieves, greedy.
Fruits matter
We have a world full of nuts too.

Sng 6:11
I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.

Some people aren't deliberately misleading. They believe what they have been taught, just like we believe what we have been taught.
And then there are those that deliberately try to decieve.
The Pharisees knew what they was doing was wrong. And Jesus called them out. And instead of repenting they crucified him.
Some people just can't handle the truth.

Some people don't like mean tweets either.. lol
Hugs

 

[MatthewG]

Some people just can't handle the truth.

Some people don't like mean tweets either.. lol
Hugs

It’s part of my nature. Buts it’s also part of my nature to be combative in the sense of reason and logic concerning some of that matters I’ve spoke about on here many of times.


I don’t expect some new person to Christianity to understand it overnight, it can take a year, it can take 5, but more years spent in growing near to Yahavah, and to fellowship with his Son in faith is of vital importantance to any person who so desires to proclaim Jesus Christ.

And I probably should keep my mouth shut on some things but when you do that ; that could be a miss benefit for them to realize, but most of th time when that happens,

It’s always the guy who says something’s fault, I just find it funny to some degree but also at the same type hippocritcal not to time to take the critism and actually make some use in changing , whatever issue around for the better… being really in Christ.

And not just battling scriptures as some do, which is little knife daggers which can kill the spirit of people even! I don’t believe that having faith that Jesus has already came back, affects faith.

But those who believe he hasn’t - it can be an as shock as in “then what hope is there!”

Even in the Bible Hebrews speaks about things being shaken down, that can even be a faith which was built on a lie… having to reconstruct what needs to be improved hopefully by the spirit.

My response for us to be with Yahavah one day, with Yeshua in the kingdom with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob… to hope this world is gonna change for the better is a lost cause yet in a paradoxical look; the world has drastically gotten better since the days of old.

Especially with reconciliation to the world through God in Christ, the ability to restore what was lost in the garden has been restored for all people!

Thank you @Ziggy. Having only been a believers since 26 years old, even at 33 I still continue to have faith that Jesus was risen from the dead and the Holy Spirit and spirit of Christ reside in me, and they produce the good which comes from Yahavah himself in my own life. Thankful for this, even though looking at my own life to many they would say just like “it doesn’t seem to amount up to very much” but who knows to God?

 

[MatthewG]

I couldn’t handle the truth two weeks ago when a person told me “I don’t believe you can train anyone while you’re on drugs!” Boy that boiled my blood so much to hear. And that is critical criticism which needed to be heard… ends up after this encounter. I haven’t used meth in two weeks due to my willingness to realize the stuff has to stop? And I signed off an agreement that if I ever get caught doing such things at work again, I’ll never be able to work in the field i do! So talk about a death, sentence or a “lose of ones head.” I’m continuing to improve day by day some days are very hard. @Ziggy.

 

[Ziggy]

Having only been a believers since 26 years old, even at 33 I still continue to have faith that Jesus was risen from the dead and the Holy Spirit and spirit of Christ reside in me, and they produce the good which comes from Yahavah himself in my own life. Thankful for this, even though looking at my own life to many they would say just like “it doesn’t seem to amount up to very much” but who knows to God?

I just turned 59 in April. I was born again in the southern Baptist church at the age of 18. In 40 years I've had a lot of questions and answers.
Most people don't change overnight. It's a growing process and some people grow faster than others.
I'm not a scholar. I don't study different languages or other peoples ideologies. I don't know or care to learn about what other denominations teach. I couldn't tell you the difference between a JW and a Calvanist, a Presbytarian and a Mormon. I just know the bible and what is written in it, and how Jesus has worked in my own life and the changes I have seen in myself.
When I came to Jesus I was living with a drug addict, I had a four year old daughter and life was wild.
Then I met my first husband and married to get out of my parents house to raise my daughter my way... stubborness.
That lasted 16 years and in that time I grew a little here and there. My focus was still in the world. I didn't have time to really study or get to know the Lord. Mostly I just liked the music.
I divorced and got remarried for the next 10 years went trucking with my husband and I had more time to study and read the bible.
But I was still in the working world. But my principles between right and wrong and the way you treat other people really started to take shape in my life. My choices were more founded on biblical principles and "What would Jesus do" ? questions.
So now I'm in my mid 40's. And life is about to take another turn. I became disabled and started watching politics and things that were lining up with prophecies in the bible. That was the bait and hook that caught this fish. I love prophecy.
For the last 10 years I have been single, living alone until a year ago when I began taking care of my ailing dad.
And I've had plenty of time to really study and compare my life with how the standard Jesus gave us to measure up to.

Now I'm not really concerned about how other people live their lives or what they believe. My concern is how I interact with other people.
I hold the candle to myself and look in the mirror daily to see if I'm living up to Jesus' standards.
I observe the world and see how it has fallen from the expectations the bible gives us to look forward to.
But I also know this world and it's standards needs to crash and burn before it can be raised again incorruptible.

You know the changes in your own life. You know where you were and where you are, and you see changes and you know the Lord is working in your life. No one can take that from you.
Changes happen usually when your not paying attention. Like going from crawling to walking to running. It's a process.
All the while God is watching you and your progress. Just as he is watching the next persons progress.
Every individual has to answer for their own progress. And all we can do is share our own testimony and experience and hope that what we share encourages others that are on the same path. But everyone faces their own obstacles, and has their own challenges to overcome.

Don't underestimate the little changes, because over time the foundation they lay last a lot longer than one fast sprint in the beginning.
Be patient with yourself and be patient with others. No one has a looking glass into other peoples lives. We can only judge our own.
If you see something that needs improving.. I need more tolerance, I need more kindness, etc.. then work on your own character, building up when you see a situation that can be handled differently than how you would previously have handled it.
I can't change you or your opinion or the way you live your life. You have to do that yourself. And you have to trust that God is willing to make those changes in you. and not be .... stubborn.

The path isn't easy that's for sure. You have to be willing to put aside your own character and put on Jesus' character and walk in his ways being as much an example of him as you can as you grow.

Be the best that you can be.
Your in God's army now.


Hugs

 

[amigo de christo]

Yeah. Love God first, and then love your neighbor as yourself.

As common as that phrase is thrown around, you still have to stand firm with human beings.

Very good reminder LOVE GOD first , and then love your neighbor as yourself .
So now i want to show us something.
Did you know that many religoins can cliam to love God and they can do good works
and have an appearance they do love their neighbor .
But lets examine what JESUS said to those who did not believe on HIM as the CHRIST .
You do not have THE LOVE OF GOD in you , for HE whom GOD did send you believe NOT .
What did john say to the church .
TO BELIEVE ON JESUS THE CHRIST and too love one another .
It seems many are fast to forget that first part in these latter days .
As many have also forgotten this part
IF YE LOVE ME KEEP MY SAYINGS
HE who loves me keeps my sayings
Yet many seem to twist and omit some of them sayings and thus they do so
unto their own destruction . As peter even warned the church
himself . Lets get in the bible and be refreshed and learning for ourselves .

 

[amigo de christo]

Your mixing Hebrew with English makes me wonder about your sincerity.

Now what i write is a general reminder to all .
What makes me cringe in fear is many trust in men , not IN GOD or HIS CHRIST .
and how do i know they lack sincerity . THEY TWIST THE SCRIPS to make them fit what men say and not rather
WHAT GOD INSPIRED .
I see many who do have a very very zealous approach . and while zeal is good , ITS ONLY GOOD
when its for a good thing , not a bad thing .
Too many have fed from men who have offered up pretzel and mushroom doctrine .
twisted to suit the ear of the hearer rather than to reveal the truth to the hearer .
And as such its what i call mushroom theology .
What is mushroom theology you might be wondering .
Well ask yourself , HOW does a mushroom thrive .
KEEP IT IN THE DARK and FEED IT LOTS of bull . This is not going to bode well on the DAY of the LORD either .

 

[Marvelloustime]

Now what i write is a general reminder to all .
What makes me cringe in fear is many trust in men , not IN GOD or HIS CHRIST .
and how do i know they lack sincerity . THEY TWIST THE SCRIPS to make them fit what men say and not rather
WHAT GOD INSPIRED .
I see many who do have a very very zealous approach . and while zeal is good , ITS ONLY GOOD
when its for a good thing , not a bad thing .
Too many have fed from men who have offered up pretzel and mushroom doctrine .
twisted to suit the ear of the hearer rather than to reveal the truth to the hearer .
And as such its what i call mushroom theology .
What is mushroom theology you might be wondering .
Well ask yourself , HOW does a mushroom thrive .
KEEP IT IN THE DARK and FEED IT LOTS of bull . This is not going to bode well on the DAY of the LORD either .

Brother is spotted.
Praise the Lord.

 

[Marvelloustime]

Very good reminder LOVE GOD first , and then love your neighbor as yourself .
So now i want to show us something.
Did you know that many religoins can cliam to love God and they can do good works
and have an appearance they do love their neighbor .
But lets examine what JESUS said to those who did not believe on HIM as the CHRIST .
You do not have THE LOVE OF GOD in you , for HE whom GOD did send you believe NOT .
What did john say to the church .
TO BELIEVE ON JESUS THE CHRIST and too love one another .
It seems many are fast to forget that first part in these latter days .
As many have also forgotten this part
IF YE LOVE ME KEEP MY SAYINGS
HE who loves me keeps my sayings
Yet many seem to twist and omit some of them sayings and thus they do so
unto their own destruction . As peter even warned the church
himself . Lets get in the bible and be refreshed and learning for ourselves .

 

[theJW]

 

[amigo de christo]

View attachment 49201

as we read that let us ponder on something .
How come churches are now saying lets find common ground with these false relgions .
WHY are certain churches even letting muslims and others TEACH their church what we have in COMMON .
Because they DONT BELEIVE CHRIST JESUS IS THE CHRIST .
And if one believes NOT that HE IS the CHRIST , WHAT DO WE WHO DO BELIEVE have in COMMON with an infidel .
What paul wrote just exposed THE ENTIRE lets find common ground movement .
WHAT do we have in common WITH AN UNBELEIVER . Nothing . We should preach JESUS to the unbeliever
not gather in unity WITH ONE of another religoin .
What communion has light with darkness , what communion has CHRIST with this co exist table of darkness .
HE DONT . nor should we . time to put GOD first again , the bible to be read and embraced ,
and time to learn well what most men no longer teach . The bible .

 

[Marvelloustime]

I do concur my friend .
and yet our protestant leaders want to bring us back into unity and common ground again with it .
Not only do it bow to statues , ITS MADE THE ROAD TO GOD HUGE
as it says muslims and all .....................
DONT think for a second i am gonna try and find common ground with THAT HARLOT .
rather i am gonna expose her and her doctrine and do all to warn both the protestant and the catholic
TO UNIFY NOT UNDER OR WITH THAT HO .

 

[amigo de christo]

View attachment 49205

exactly sister .

 

[Marvelloustime]

as we read that let us ponder on something .
How come churches are now saying lets find common ground with these false relgions .
WHY are certain churches even letting muslims and others TEACH their church what we have in COMMON .
Because they DONT BELEIVE CHRIST JESUS IS THE CHRIST .
And if one believes NOT that HE IS the CHRIST , WHAT DO WE WHO DO BELIEVE have in COMMON with an infidel .
What paul wrote just exposed THE ENTIRE lets find common ground movement .
WHAT do we have in common WITH AN UNBELEIVER . Nothing . We should preach JESUS to the unbeliever
not gather in unity WITH ONE of another religoin .
What communion has light with darkness , what communion has CHRIST with this co exist table of darkness .
HE DONT . nor should we . time to put GOD first again , the bible to be read and embraced ,
and time to learn well what most men no longer teach . The bible .

Yep. That’s right. You got it. Praise the Lord.

 

[theJW]

Yep. That’s right. You got it. Praise the Lord.
View attachment 49206

Vile Translation.

 

[amigo de christo]

Vile Translation.

according to whom . the watchtower and its men .