Bible Topics and Questions

[kreagle]

Posted by GCS1103 (here)
I've told that story to very few people, but to this day I remember the dream in detail. (By the way, I have never taken drugs and I don't drink)

Love, Goldie

Hey Goldie!,

Sister, I had a 'good' laugh when I saw your comment about 'not taking drugs,...nor drinking!'

It's a shame when humanity thinks we 'must be on something' when we describe our 'experiences' with God, and His Word, in such 'elaborate' ways! Most simply cannot fathom, ( or believe), that it's really that blissful,....but it really is, to those who invest their God-given faith back in Him!

The 'initial' outpouring of the Holy Ghost, ( on the Day of Pentecost), produced the 'exact same' results, followed up by the 'unbeliever's of yesterday' expected response, that I've made reference to, here.

Acts 2:12-16 (KJV)

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Some things never change,....do they?


God Bless, 'always'!,..........your brother, friend, and servant,.....kreagle

[kreagle]

The 'Master' Sculptor

Jeremiah 18:1-6 (KJV)

18 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,

2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Unfortunately, most people today cannot get past the notion that our 'original vessel',....( we ourselves),....has been 'marred' from the onset of our earthly entrance due to our 'sinful nature' which we 'all' inherited from our ancient ancestors,....Adam and Eve. Consequently,....'another vessel' is our 'Master's' Divine Plan for our lives,....IF.....we will only become 'willing vessels',....and completely present ourselves in His creative Hands for this 'molding process' that He, alone, can do.


Herein lies the problem,....for entirely too many individuals, today, are so busy striving to become their 'own self-made man/woman', that our Beloved Master often doesn't get His opportunity to get His Hands on them in the first place!


As with 'every creative work' that has entered into His Hands since the beginning of the Genesis account,....the 'net results' of His handy-work is always followed up by these 'same' descriptive terms,......"it was good,...or very good". However 'only' the recipients of His 'molding process' can actually attest to this claim! Not only does our 'Master' Sculptor mold the areas of our lives that everyone can see 'externally',....but He actually goes 'much deeper' than that as He molds from 'within',....which, in turn, blossoms on the 'outside' for everyone to see.

Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV)

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh

He's definitely a 'Hands-on type of God',....if.....we'll just let Him get His Hands on us!!


God Bless to 'all',........your brother, friend, and servant,......kreagle

[kreagle]

The 'Fear' of the Lord

I just posted a reply to this 'topic' on another thread by naste.de.lumina and felt it would be conducive to, likewise, post it here. There are entirely too many, today, who view the 'fear of the Lord' from a very skewed point of view. What's you view on this?


https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post676607

Posted by naste.de.lumina (here)
Hello friends.
This text has not the slightest pretension to impose anything, it's just a thought that took me way today afternoon.
So it's a personal perception that I would like to discuss because I think many of you more enlightened on this subject than I do.
I realize now that in many situations, for example, real communities, online communities, tv shows and media in general, that the matter in spirituality is taking much attention.
It appears to be intrinsic, the spiritual relationship with saving in most cases.
And the fear of not salvation, not part of the herd.
Regardless of religion or who believes individually, the fear of not being part of the class chosen seems to be most often present.
If this reasoning is valid, then we have to search for spirituality by fear in many people.
Then there is the fear, the opposite of love as fuel this engine running in search of spirituality.
I do not know if fear as starter, would be the one responsible for so many people realize fundamentalist, radical and uncompromising when it comes to faith in God.
But it seems to me plausible that it is an important ingredient in this universe, because intolerance, arrogance, selfishness, lack of empathy and other similar nouns are derived from the same negative force of fear.
Do not forget that fear is a fundamental tool, key Matrix control.
So far it is valid to search for spirituality by fear?

Love without fear for all.
Wander Brazilian.

naste.de.lumina,


I have always been convinced that mainstream Christianity's perception of the 'fear of the Lord' has been grossly skewed by a combination of 'ignorance,....and, of course, satanic design, also!' While 'fear', ( ie. to be 'afraid of'), certainly has it's merits, and is to be considered and administered,....when applicable,....the 'proper application' of this religious 'catch phrase' should be as to 'fear', ( ie. have revered 'respect' for), the Lord!


I do NOT serve the Lord because I 'fear', ( am 'afraid' of), Him,......but rather, I serve the Lord because I 'fear', ( have Divine 'respect'), for Him! There is a 'massive' difference between these 'two' definitions, in correlation to our outlook on how we actually view God,....and exactly 'how' He wants us to view, ( and serve), Him!


If one 'attempts' to serve the Lord because of 'fear', ( afraid, or scared to death of the consequences), they are going to be continually bombarded with undue condemnations,...live a 'defeated spiritual existence',....and ultimately loose out on their quest for Truth. Pure love,.....God's love,....has 'no room' for this type of 'fear' and those who endeavor to 'scare individuals into serving God' are either being motivated 'satanically,...or....simply ignorant' of what they are doing.

1 John 4:18 (KJV)

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The 'fear of the Lord' mantra should 'always' be associated with our Divine respect for Him and His Word. A 'follower of Christ' should adopt the view that,....."I divinely respect You Lord,...so much,... that I fully believe in You,...and Your Word,... to the point that I unconditionally accept Your directives for my life!"


Once we attain this proper view of this Christian 'catch phrase',...FEAR,....we are then well on our way to a victorious Christian experience, my friends!


Your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle

[humanalien]

Douay-Rheims Bible
http://drbo.org/index.htm

I think that this is as far
back as i can go, to finding
a more accurate or truthful
version of God word, in english.

The Douay-Rheims Bible was translated
from the Latin Vulgate and the KJV
was created from using the translated
english version of theDouay-Rheims
Bible.

Then king james took it upon himself
to remove many books from his version
of the Bible.

I still believe that there were other books
removed from the Latin Vulgate to.

I would expect a bible to be 6 to 10 inches
thick and packed full of information.

[humanalien]

I notice this a lot with people claiming to be christians,
so i thought that i would write a little something about
it. This post isn't meant to point fingers at any one because
we all have our faults and we could be pointing fingers all
day at each other and we would get no where.

While searching through the bible, i ran across a piece of
scripture that really kind of hit home with me. I realized
that i'm kind of guilty of this myself, so i thought that i
would refresh the memories of some of our christian
people.

In James 2:18 - 29 it say:
18: Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith
without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

19: You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20: But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar?

22: See you how faith worked with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23: And the scripture was fulfilled which said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24: You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25: Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.


I'll assume that you can see where i'm going with this. Many times is see people
quoting the bible like nobodies business and they may even know what they
are talking about but according to God, that isn't good enough.

You or i can have all the faith in the world about God, we can learn all there is
to learn about God and we may even spout off a quote or two to make ourselves
all puffed up with pride because we have that knowledge but where are the works
to back that faith up?

Talking to fellow christians only about God, is not doing Gods works. Is not your
job as a christian to go out and win souls for God?

Talking about faith, Jesus once said that if we humans, had the faith, the size
of a mustard seed, we could move mountains, just by telling them to move.

I don't see anyone in the world having any type of faith like that. Is your faith
so strong that you can at least tell a car to move out of your way and it will?

So remember. Faith alone will not get you a free pass into heaven. You must
have the works to go with that faith or else your faith is dead.

Libera - Onward Christian Soldiers

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=YJgt2ktRJME

Now for a little Dolly

Dolly Parton - Power In The Blood

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=B1CV-HtsMvc

[kreagle]

Posted by humanalien (here)

You or i can have all the faith in the world about God, we can learn all there is
to learn about God and we may even spout off a quote or two to make ourselves
all puffed up with pride because we have that knowledge but where are the works
to back that faith up?

Talking to fellow christians only about God, is not doing Gods works. Is not your
job as a christian to go out and win souls for God?

Hey humanalien,

I was specifically wondering about you today, brother. In my last post that was directed towards you, ( post #619), I made some recommendations to you that was meant to help you in your quest, ( and hunger for), God's Word.

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post675353


It dealt with the ultimate need that we 'all' have to be filled with God's Spirit, ( the Holy Ghost), so that you 'then' could be able to 'adequately understand' many of the scriptures that you are currently having difficulty with. I will restate to you, once again, that I have absolutely no problem answering your questions, as I can, but you will never be able to fully understand it, brother, without being filled with His Spirit, first.

In your 'latest' posts I, quite frankly, denote a sense of 'frustration' from you that is mostly directed towards me, my friend. You might recall that I have 'attempted' to go the 'extra mile' with you with various 'suggestions' in PM's that I have privately sent to you. On May 3, I provided my personal email to you for further correspondence from you,....on May 9, I even offered to give you my personal phone number where we could 'actually talk together',...and on May 11, I offered to put you in contact with some of my fellow 'brothers and sisters' who could personally come to your home in Ohio and greatly assist you with the many assorted problems you are currently undergoing with your 'home life',...your daughter's and your 'relationship',....not to mention the difficulty you are facing with understanding His Scriptures. Brother,...I'm 'stretching forth my helping hand',....but currently I'm only coming up with empty air,....for you have 'yet' to respond, ( or accept), any of the 'help' I am desperately trying to extend to you!

James 2:20 (KJV)

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Brother, in my PM to you, on May 11, I specifically talked to you about taking that 'next step of faith',....and to be specific, here is my 'exact' statement to you,......

You've asked for God to 'hear' you, brother. This is His way of 'hearing' your calls of desperation. You will agree with me, one day, if you will take the next step of faith, my dear, dear, friend.

So you see, humanalien,....I have sincerely endeavored to 'put legs' on my faith specifically on your behalf, my dear friend. This is the 'works' that God's Word instructs His servants to employ towards those in need,....but there has to be a 'willing recipient',....FIRST,....in order for these 'works' to come to complete fruition, brother.


'All' of my offers still stand,....my dear friend!


As 'Always',.....your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle

[humanalien]

You got it all wrong kreagle. Like i already said, i wasn't
pointing fingers at you or anyone. What i posted was a
generalized thing.

I've seen many people in my life time that could quote
bible verses, all day long, pretending to be a christian
and then go home and commit many sins.

I've seen those tv evangelist go before the whole world
and preach the gospel, only to beg for forgiveness later on
because they got caught doing many bad things to their
followers.

No kreagle, this isn't about you and i'm sorry if you felt it
was directed at you.

Many people are under the influence that faith alone will
get them into heaven but as the bible clearly states, that
will not be enough.

I used to believe that as well, until i read those scriptures, so
i know there are others out there that believe as i once did.

This isn't about you or i but about what are we doing for the lord.
Are we out there, every day, winning souls for him?

Are we ministering to the poor souls that are lost or the ones
that haven't come to know the lord God yet?

I don't accuse you of anything kreagle because i don't know
what your life is like. You may, for all i know, be out there on
the streets every day, trying to do Gods works. How can i accuse
you of something when i don't know what you do?

You should be proud of yourself because you have been a source
of strength for me, in a time when i felt God had totally abandoned
me. Only now am i realizing that God is telling me to grow up, wake
up and start learning his word, so that i may share it with others.

Time on earth is short. The Lord is coming and God wants me to be
prepared.

Thank you Kreagle for all your help. I'm not sure where i'm going
from here but i do know that i need to work on my faith and my works.

[kreagle]

humanalien,

I'm glad to hear that you aren't particularly upset with me, for I genuinely didn't know whether you were, or not. Your 'current' display of admiring God's Word, one moment,.....then.....completely disdaining It's authenticity, the next, has been very perplexing to me as I have endeavored to help you 'sort things out'. It was with this observation that I surmised that I, too, was falling into this category of being 'helpful', one minute,......and then.....'hurting you', the next. Do you see, now, how I might have arrived at that conclusion?

Recent statements by you,....such as,...."I've just given up",.....have caused a great deal of concern for 'all' of us, here at Avalon, as we have recognized the 'fragile state' that you are currently in. However,......'giving up'.....is NOT an option, brother,....especially when you have a lasting, ( and PROVEN), 'solution' to your situation, no matter how bleak and uncertain it may seem, now!

Furthermore, I'm going to address a certain 'angle' that you are currently delving into, which is, quite frankly, getting you 'off track' from what you 'really need to be doing all along!' In your 'own words',...here is your 'current mentality' from a spiritual standpoint, humanalien.

Posted by humanalien (here)

I would expect a bible to be 6 to 10 inches
thick and packed full of information.

Brother,.....you don't need a 'thicker' Bible, my dear, dear, friend!,.....you 'just need to place your faith in the one you have!!!' His Word is already 'thick' enough, ( and 'thoroughly' complete), if you will simply place your trust in Him and show Him the proper respect for His Word, as you do Him! Your current 'quest' to gather 'mounds of Scriptural evidence', ( or documentations), is simply getting you 'off track' and causing you much further confusion, my friend!


This particular statement, by you, further illustrates your current disdain for 'how' His Word is presented to humanity, suggesting that you have a 'much better way' of presenting It.

Posted by humanalien (here)
Just commenting about the placement of where the
story of the battle in heaven is, in the bible.

I would think that - that would have been placed in Genesis,
somewhere right after earth was formed. At least it would be
in the right timeline.

The Bible specifically warns us that we should not be 'guilty' of....adding....or.....subtracting......'anything' to His Word.

Revelation 22:17-21 (KJV)

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Perhaps, humanalien, you might begin to 'understand' WHY God has chosen to present His Word to us in the way He has if you'll just go back a 'few years' in your own life and reminisce about your 'early' years in high school. All that 'information' we were all trying to learn just didn't 'hop off the pages of those schoolbooks and into our minds' did it? We had to 'study' them,....and commit them to memory, didn't we? The 'same' is true concerning the glorious Word of God!

2 Timothy 2:14-15 (KJV)

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

It's the 'saint of God', ( workman), that faithfully accepts His Word, as written, and then embarks upon a pathway of study, ( and remembrance), of the same. Those last few words of verse 15 above,.....'rightly dividing' the world of truth,.....clearly indicates that a person can either 'rightly',.....or.....'wrongly'.....divide, ( or interpret), His Word. This is where the 'infilling of His Spirit' comes into play,...for without It the reader is going to eventually turn down the 'road of error' as the Scriptures fully indicate.


God bless you, brother!,......your friend, and servant,......kreagle

[humanalien]

I can understand where you are coming from and yes,
i have been all over the place as far as trying to understand
the scriptures.

At this particular moment in my life, it's really hard to focus
on scripture when i have just lost everything, including my
home.

My mind goes from one ex-stream to another and i just get
myself even more confused.

As far as all the scripture being there in place and every bit
of it being truthful, would be a big help for others, just learning
about God. It stands to reason that when people read a book,
they don't want to read the very beginning and then have the
book jump around a bit and then go back toward the beginning.

It makes for a very hard read.

Anyway. Tonight when i pray to God. I'm going to just drop
all my troubles off on Jesus and let him sort it all out. I haven't
got a clue what to do yet and i'm hoping he will help me out.

I ask Jesus last night to speak for me to his father and ask him to
come back into my life. I hope God agree's but i still believe that
Jesus is with me, so that's a plus. Some how, it different though
when God isn't around. You feel empty inside.

[kreagle]

humanalien,

I will pray 'with' you,.....and......'for' you, brother! I care, more than you can ever understand, and I submit myself before you to help you in any way that I can. The 'offers' I have made to you stand, and I sincerely hope you will take me up on them.

Once I was in the 'woods', ( completely lost), and this 'selfsame message' of Acts 2:38 'led me out of the woods' to spiritual safety and established the salvation of my soul!

By 'Divine design',....It is the 'only' message His Disciples, ( the Apostles), practised and taught to the 'original' Church, and it's simple directives of His.....DEATH....BURIAL....and....RESURRECTION still apply today, more than ever before! This is accomplished by you, and I, simply acknowledging our need to 1) Repent of our sins.....2) Be baptized in Jesus' name for the remission of those sins.....and then....3) Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost which He has promised to those who believe on Him as the Scripture has said! ( see John 7:37-39)

John 7:37-39(KJV)

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

I continue to offer an 'extended hand' to you, brother! Keep in touch!


Your friend, and servant,......kreagle


***edited for additional thought***

Posted by humanalien (here)

At this particular moment in my life, it's really hard to focus
on scripture when i have just lost everything, including my
home.

Job 'knows exactly how you feel', brother! God got him through this,....and he will do the 'same' for you, too, my dear friend. Hang in there, brother! Sometimes mankind has to lose 'everything' in order to fully understand what 'everything' actually is and consequently is allowed to have it!!!


With 'agape' love from Him,.......kreagle

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Posted by humanalien (here)
I ask Jesus last night to speak for me to his father and ask him to
come back into my life. I hope God agree's but i still believe that
Jesus is with me, so that's a plus.

Material lessons, such as you are experiencing, not always have material solutions. That is not to say that prayer and faith will 'bring' you material rewards and an answer to your problems, but spiritual realisation, revelation, can fill you with something far more valuable. Once equipped, you will view the material world, your life, completely differently.

What I'm trying to say is, don't give up. Never believe that your downturn in fortunes is some kind of punishment, or that you are neglected or unloved. Even Jesus himself had to endure 'the long dark night of the soul.' We must all go through that to experience revelation of God shining through that darkness… and the Spiritual Light of Dawn. You have asked God for aid. Ask and you shall receive, my friend. It will come, gradually or suddenly, openly or subtly. It all depends what your lesson is, and how it's meant to play out. But it will come!

Posted by humanalien (here)
Some how, it different though
when God isn't around. You feel empty inside.

Mate, mate, mate... God is never, ever 'not around'! But I do know the feeling of emptiness inside that you feel. Even with my own faith and spiritual knowledge that I possess and know to be true, there are days when I feel like that too. That isn't a lack of faith or understanding on my part, it's just the human baggage we all carry, the psychological, emotional, ego-charged energies of the life’s dramas that yes, can sometimes encroach upon our spiritual selves, smothering them.

It happens. Life is tough. Unfortunately it is aligned to a system (by evil design of TPTB) that keep us all chained to consumerism, and totally occupied by the need to 'survive' materially, rather than expand spiritually. And sometimes that endeavour does leave us with little 'left in the tank' at the end of the day. So don't feel bad, or separate, or 'neglected', just because you feel empty, exhausted, lonely, or stumbling through the darkness.

We all go there. It's called life, mate. It's called being Human. God, spirituality, knowing that 'this is not all that there is, and there's so much more to look forward to', gets me, and kreagle I'm sure, through the day. God can, and will, do the same for you!

[kreagle]

Posted by Star Mariner (here)

Posted by humanalien (here)
Some how, it different though
when God isn't around. You feel empty inside.

Mate, mate, mate... God is never, ever 'not around'! But I do know the feeling of emptiness inside that you feel. Even with my own faith and spiritual knowledge that I possess and know to be true, there are days when I feel like that too. That isn't a lack of faith or understanding on my part, it's just the human baggage we all carry, the psychological, emotional, ego-charged energies of the life’s dramas that yes, can sometimes encroach upon our spiritual selves, smothering them.

It happens. Life is tough. Unfortunately it is aligned to a system (by evil design of TPTB) that keep us all chained to consumerism, and totally occupied by the need to 'survive' materially, rather than expand spiritually. And sometimes that endeavour does leave us with little 'left in the tank' at the end of the day. So don't feel bad, or separate, or 'neglected', just because you feel empty, exhausted, lonely, or stumbling through the darkness.

We all go there. It's called life, mate. It's called being Human. God, spirituality, knowing that 'this is not all that there is, and there's so much more to look forward to', gets me, and kreagle I'm sure, through the day. God can, and will, do the same for you!

Star Mariner,

Excellent advice, brother! Very well put and spot on!


humanalien,

I hope you will always remember that even though you personally may feel like there's 'little left in the tank' at the end of the day, from time to time,......you will 'always' have a 'full tank of support here at Avalon', from your many 'friends' who deeply care about you. In addition, my friend, there is ONE, from above, who is endeavoring to 'fill your spiritual tank to capacity',....IF....you'll only listen to some of His simple directives He has shown you, as of late, and simply pull into His station for a 'fill-up', brother!


Take care,.....and 'love' from us 'all',........kreagle

[kreagle]

Posted by kreagle (here)

The 'Fear' of the Lord

I just posted a reply to this 'topic' on another thread by naste.de.lumina and felt it would be conducive to, likewise, post it here. There are entirely too many, today, who view the 'fear of the Lord' from a very skewed point of view. What's you view on this?


https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post676607

Posted by naste.de.lumina (here)
Hello friends.
This text has not the slightest pretension to impose anything, it's just a thought that took me way today afternoon.
So it's a personal perception that I would like to discuss because I think many of you more enlightened on this subject than I do.
I realize now that in many situations, for example, real communities, online communities, tv shows and media in general, that the matter in spirituality is taking much attention.
It appears to be intrinsic, the spiritual relationship with saving in most cases.
And the fear of not salvation, not part of the herd.
Regardless of religion or who believes individually, the fear of not being part of the class chosen seems to be most often present.
If this reasoning is valid, then we have to search for spirituality by fear in many people.
Then there is the fear, the opposite of love as fuel this engine running in search of spirituality.
I do not know if fear as starter, would be the one responsible for so many people realize fundamentalist, radical and uncompromising when it comes to faith in God.
But it seems to me plausible that it is an important ingredient in this universe, because intolerance, arrogance, selfishness, lack of empathy and other similar nouns are derived from the same negative force of fear.
Do not forget that fear is a fundamental tool, key Matrix control.
So far it is valid to search for spirituality by fear?

Love without fear for all.
Wander Brazilian.

naste.de.lumina,


I have always been convinced that mainstream Christianity's perception of the 'fear of the Lord' has been grossly skewed by a combination of 'ignorance,....and, of course, satanic design, also!' While 'fear', ( ie. to be 'afraid of'), certainly has it's merits, and is to be considered and administered,....when applicable,....the 'proper application' of this religious 'catch phrase' should be as to 'fear', ( ie. have revered 'respect' for), the Lord!


I do NOT serve the Lord because I 'fear', ( am 'afraid' of), Him,......but rather, I serve the Lord because I 'fear', ( have Divine 'respect'), for Him! There is a 'massive' difference between these 'two' definitions, in correlation to our outlook on how we actually view God,....and exactly 'how' He wants us to view, ( and serve), Him!


If one 'attempts' to serve the Lord because of 'fear', ( afraid, or scared to death of the consequences), they are going to be continually bombarded with undue condemnations,...live a 'defeated spiritual existence',....and ultimately loose out on their quest for Truth. Pure love,.....God's love,....has 'no room' for this type of 'fear' and those who endeavor to 'scare individuals into serving God' are either being motivated 'satanically,...or....simply ignorant' of what they are doing.

1 John 4:18 (KJV)

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The 'fear of the Lord' mantra should 'always' be associated with our Divine respect for Him and His Word. A 'follower of Christ' should adopt the view that,....."I divinely respect You Lord,...so much,... that I fully believe in You,...and Your Word,... to the point that I unconditionally accept Your directives for my life!"


Once we attain this proper view of this Christian 'catch phrase',...FEAR,....we are then well on our way to a victorious Christian experience, my friends!


Your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle

I recently had a thought the other day as I pulled up to a red-light,....right next to a police car. As I sat there I was perfectly at ease, next to this patrol officer, and I suddenly 'remembered' my post, here, about 'fear'. It became crystal clear to me that my state of being at ease was simply due to the fact that I fully knew that I was 'in compliance with the law' in every sense of the word! You see,....as I stated earlier, I realized that I fully 'feared', ( ie. had 'respect'), for the law, but had absolutely no reason to 'fear', ( be afraid of any adverse consequences), as long as I lived within the 'guidelines' of the law!

No wonder there are so 'many', today, who actually have a bonafide 'fear', ( afraid of the consequences), of the Lord,.....for their lives are by 'nature' so outside of the boundaries of His Divine Law that this type of behavior just naturally comes to the surface when they become 'mindful' of the fact that they have come into His territory,....or His Word!

For example,...I have been driving on the open road, and gone around a curve where I suddenly came face to face with a state trooper and realized that I just 'might' be driving a 'little too fast'! My first reaction was to automatically touch my brake and 'slow down' because I suddenly felt that I was in 'violation of the law',....consequently producing a momentary 'fear', ( afraid of the consequences), within me.

Hence,....the overwhelming factor is whether 'we' are 'within the limits of His Law', ( His Word),.....OR.......whether we are in violation of the same!'

Once 'again', I submit the passage of 1 John 4:18, for further review,.....

1 John 4:18 (KJV)

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The 'perfect love', spoken about in verse 18, surely denotes whether we are 'within the limits of His Law',.....or......'outside of the boundaries of His Law'.


The 'fear factor',.....we then display,.....denotes whether we have 'respect',.....or......'are afraid of the consequences'!


Points to ponder, my brothers/sisters,....to which 'side of the Law' we are on!


God Bless,.....your brother, friend, and servant,......kreagle

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Hey kreagle, I think you're right in many ways, but personally I do wonder if 'Law' is the right word here. The word Law to me denotes a prescribed and precisely defining rule or formula, one that is strictly enforced (not that it isn't enforced), but I would see it more as a 'code' - one laid down in the Bible, and spoken of extensively by Jesus, which is in our best interests to follow, rather than a code defined by 'you shall not', or 'you must not'. But this is just semantics and not really important.

What is important is how such a code or a law functions, and how it is 'put into effect' (better phrase for me than the word 'enforced'). The first thing that I believe, relevant to this topic, is that this world, this reality, is the realm of Free Will. It is our most precious gift. With free will we can shape who we want to be, where we want to go, what we want to become, and how we will conduct ourselves, and treat others. Free will defines everything about us: it is sovereign choice, pure and simple. God would have us choose the Positive side, His side, of course.

But we are free to side with the other if that is our preference. Evidence of so many people choosing the dark side is to be seen everywhere in the world at this time. And God does not interfere. Because transgressions against this code are of our own choice - they are self-inflicted, but so is the punitive side of the 'consequences' you named: you reap what you sow.

If there was an actual Law the world would function more like a kind of spiritual police state, with all transgressions met with swift judgement and divine wrath. But it isn't. Many evils endure, and in many sectors of our world. They have been playing out - quite freely - for centuries. For millennia. These are dark powers which we are free to align with, if we so choose. Beware those that do! Because, once again, what we reap is what we sow. That is the beauty of perfect justice. This is in essence karma, not a Christian doctrine I know, but that is not to say it's concept is not highlighted in many places, eg:

Proverbs 26:27
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

Job 4:8
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Just thinking aloud some thoughts I have on this subject matter, which I wanted to share just for the conversation, and even if they don't 'tessellate' with your own, kreagle my friend. The most important thing I'm trying to get across is, it isn't important whether you believe in the idea of karma/reincarnation or the Christian idea of Hell and damnation, all that matters is that God, in my opinion, is not something to be feared. Quite the opposite. Any punishments that we will 'receive' will happen automatically, because we have, by our actions, inflicted them upon ourselves.

Just generalizing here: we have been 'let loose' by God, out into the Universe to freely explore it. We are free to explore wherever and whatever we wish, to live, learn and experience - and to err, sometimes even far from God if we fully descend, but always with the promise that God is available. Salvation can never be denied. If it is the free will of a soul to go down a long and dismal road estranged from God, then so be it. But all roads have an exit. And all roads wind back the way they have come.

So nothing is forever, and all ills that are done can be undone, in time. That is the greatest transition a soul can make, from utter darkness and the absence of God, straight into the love and light of his waiting heart. This for the lost soul is the greatest and most celebrated of all transitions, and God's fondest hope...

Love is eternal, and hope never fades! This is my belief.

****

On a slightly different topic, and to add to John 4:18 which you quoted (many thanks), may I offer John 4:20 as well, a wonderful passage. There are many in his world who profess a 'love' for God in one way or another - a God by this name or by that name, and yet will turn on his fellow man and scorn him, harm him - sometimes in the very name of said God! I speak particularly of those men who hold the reigns of Power. They may attend church on a sunday, and yet make war on a monday. What then do they know of God at all? And what do they know of love?

Remember this, I say to them, and heed it well.

1 John 4:20
If a man say, “I love God,” and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

[kreagle]

Hey brother!,

Interesting 'points' you bring up, my dear friend. The main reason some of our 'points' don't 'tessellate', ( or perfectly align together), results from your personal view of many Biblical concepts as 'figurative',......whereas my standpoint is 'literal'. You've equally stated this observation, between you and I, so I can easily see 'why' you might express yourself on this point as such. It's with much gladness that I especially denote a 'slight lean within you', ( towards the 'literal side'), that 'most' don't have,....particularly with your articulate way of expressing yourself, and overall command of intellectually viewing these types of subjects. I highly commend you, my brother!

Posted by Star Mariner (here)
Hey kreagle, I think you're right in many ways, but personally I do wonder if 'Law' is the right word here. The word Law to me denotes a prescribed and precisely defining rule or formula, one that is strictly enforced (not that it isn't enforced), but I would see it more as a 'code' - one laid down in the Bible, and spoken of extensively by Jesus, which is in our best interests to follow, rather than a code defined by 'you shall not', or 'you must not'. But this is just semantics and not really important.

Brother, I really am convinced that 'Law' is the perfect word to use, here,....it's just that 'humanity' has now come to the point where the 'Law' doesn't carry the weight that it once did, in their minds, not too many years ago. To 'many' individuals, today, the 'Law of God's Word' has become 'overgrown with the cares of this world',.....as illustrated, here.

Make no mistake, brother,....the 'STOP' sign, ( ie. the 'Law'), is 'still' there, and to be fully heeded. Through 'indifference,...and carelessness', towards God, mankind has allowed the 'cares of this world' to choke out, and overgrow, His 'many Divine signs',....( ie. His Word, His anointed Preachers and Teachers, etc.), to the point that these 'signs' go unheeded to the impending peril of mankind! Oh,....you might be able to 'run through this overgrown, obscured STOP sign',...over, and over, again without suffering any 'consequences',....but sooner, or later,....the 'Law' is going to catch up with you, with potentially 'deadly results', my dear friend!

Likewise,....the 'Lawgiver', Himself, shall return to completely 'restore order',... and His Law will then totally rule, again, forevermore.

Perhaps we need to listen to the Words of this 'Lawgiver', Himself,.....straight from His Mouth,......

Matthew 5:17-19 (KJV)

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Brother,.....the 'one jot or one tittle' that His Word refers to, here, denotes the precise 'smallest part' of His Law,...or His Word,....the 'iotas',...if you will. Mankind seems to 'conveniently' forget that He is definitely a 'God of His Word',....and 'He says what He means',.....and 'He means what He says!'

There are 'no' idle Words proceeding from the 'Mouth of God'!

Posted by Star Mariner (here)
On a slightly different topic, and to add to John 4:18 which you quoted (many thanks), may I offer John 4:20 as well, a wonderful passage. There are many in his world who profess a 'love' for God in one way or another - a God by this name or by that name, and yet will turn on his fellow man and scorn him, harm him - sometimes in the very name of said God! I speak particularly of those men who hold the reigns of Power. They may attend church on a sunday, and yet make war on a monday. What then do they know of God at all? And what do they know of love?

Remember this, I say to them, and heed it well.

1 John 4:20
If a man say, “I love God,” and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

I fully, and completely, agree brother!


As always,......your 'cherished' brother, friend, and servant,.....kreagle

[kreagle]

Star Mariner,

Brother, I apologize for having to break up my comment to you on your latest post. I had 'everything' together in one single post, when I received an 'Internet error' signal which wiped out the 'second half' of my reply to you. This 'second half' of my post was meant to deal with your comment on 'Free Will', which I agree with in principle, subject to my own 'literal' translation, compared to your 'figurative' view.

Posted by Star Mariner (here)
What is important is how such a code or a law functions, and how it is 'put into effect' (better phrase for me than the word 'enforced'). The first thing that I believe, relevant to this topic, is that this world, this reality, is the realm of Free Will. It is our most precious gift. With free will we can shape who we want to be, where we want to go, what we want to become, and how we will conduct ourselves, and treat others. Free will defines everything about us: it is sovereign choice, pure and simple. God would have us choose the Positive side, His side, of course.

But we are free to side with the other if that is our preference. Evidence of so many people choosing the dark side is to be seen everywhere in the world at this time. And God does not interfere. Because transgressions against this code are of our own choice - they are self-inflicted, but so is the punitive side of the 'consequences' you named: you reap what you sow.

If there was an actual Law the world would function more like a kind of spiritual police state, with all transgressions met with swift judgement and divine wrath. But it isn't. Many evils endure, and in many sectors of our world. They have been playing out - quite freely - for centuries. For millennia. These are dark powers which we are free to align with, if we so choose. Beware those that do! Because, once again, what we reap is what we sow. That is the beauty of perfect justice. This is in essence karma, not a Christian doctrine I know, but that is not to say it's concept is not highlighted in many places, eg:

Proverbs 26:27
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

Job 4:8
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Just thinking aloud some thoughts I have on this subject matter, which I wanted to share just for the conversation, and even if they don't 'tessellate' with your own, kreagle my friend. The most important thing I'm trying to get across is, it isn't important whether you believe in the idea of karma/reincarnation or the Christian idea of Hell and damnation, all that matters is that God, in my opinion, is not something to be feared. Quite the opposite. Any punishments that we will 'receive' will happen automatically, because we have, by our actions, inflicted them upon ourselves.

Surely, we have been divinely endowed with a 'Free Will' to pursue whichever direction we wish to embark upon,...( as you have indicated), but I would not confuse this with the notion that there is no 'cost, and/or reward' associated with the choice we make. To your credit, you do accurately allude to the fact that there are 'present-day',...self-inflicted consequences that often are thrust upon us,...and to which His word highlights for us. ( Also supplied by you in your post,....many thanks!) What should be realized, through this, is that God is endeavoring to 'nudge us into the right direction' with these 'present-day consequences' so that we might 'all' learn our lesson 'now',......rather than,.......'later on', ( in eternity), when it's too late to make any corrections! Once again, I'm sure that our current 'figurative/literal' views on God's Word don't 'tessellate' in complete unison, but I am persuaded to, once again, adhere to the Biblical teachings on this, as I'm sure you would expect me to, at this point.


Much 'Love and Peace',......your brother, friend, and servant,.....kreagle

[humanalien]

One day, you all will realize that all religion is wrong and
all bibles are lies or at best, old fables, stolen from a time
before biblical text even existed.

A lot of stories in the bible, like maybe the flood of noahs
day, can be found somewhere in the epic of gilgamesh.

Everything, just about, was copied from other, non biblical
text, that existed way before biblical text was even dreamed
up, and bible(s) and religion(s) were created.

If you believe what the bible says, in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11
it says:

10: And with all delusion of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11: And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Their is only one thing in the world, that is so big that people believe everything
they are told about it and that is religion. It doesn't matter who's religion it is
because all of them are wrong. All bibles are wrong. They have been so severely
tampered with and mis-translated, over and over again, that there is barely a
sliver of truth in any of them now.

Religion and bibles are a man made thing and in control of and by man.

Anyone that hasn't been brainwashed in religion can plainly see that there
are so many holes in the biblical stories and events happening at wrong times,
that bibles can't possibly contain any truth.

If any man were a true follower of God, he/she would know that everything
religious is a lie. God would plainly tell them so, or would he?

I'm taken back to the story of Job.

Job was a righteous and just man and served God with all the love
in his heart.

Gods sons, one day, all come before God and satan came to.

Right there, i have a problem. If satan was thrown out of heaven,
then how is it that he just casually drops by Gods place, for a visit?

There is already a lie in this story and we hardly begun yet.

Anyway, God tells satan, like they are really good buddies, have you
considered my servant Job? There is none like him in all the earth.

Satan tells God, hey, let me have a crack at this guy and i'' have him
cursing your name in no time.

God accepts the challenge and satan leaves.

Satan goes out and has everything that Job possessed, stolen from
him and later on, satan created a windstorm or a tornado that flattened
the house that all of Jobs children were inside of, killing them all.

Later on, Gods sons come before God again and satan were there again to.
Again the same bet was made and satan put huge boils all over Jobs body.

If any of you have ever had a boil, those are so painful and to have a body
full of them, it's goes way beyond pain.

Point here is, Job was a trusted and very loyal servant of God. He loved
God with all his heart and prayed and gave thanks, every day. There was
not a man like him, found on all the earth.

If this is how God treats his loyal servants, count me out. I want no part
of a God that will, at a whim, do to you, what-ever he feels like doing to you,
just because he can.

The bible teaches us that God is all loving but there was no love shown there.

One of the ten commandments is not to kill, yet God sends moses out to kill
others. Shouldn't he lead by example.

Jesus the meek and mild one, tells us that if someone slaps your face,
turn the other cheek and get that one slapped to. He is all about the
peace and not being violent.

In Matthew 10 34-35 it says

34: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth:
I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35: For I am come to set a man at variance against his father,
and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law
against her mother in law.

From what i gather of this, jesus being born was never to
bring peace to the world but perpetual wars.

He came to set son against father, daughter against mother,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

I know what your thinking and you saying that i have it all wrong
but i do not have anything wrong sir.

In you own words:

Brother,.....the 'one jot or one tittle' that His Word refers to, here, denotes the precise 'smallest part'of His Law,...or His Word,....the 'iotas',...if you will. Mankind seems to 'conveniently' forget that He is definitely a 'God of His Word',....and 'He says what He means',.....and 'He means what He says!'

There are 'no' idle Words proceeding from the 'Mouth of God'!


Does this only apply when you say it is so or can these words be applied
to all of Gods Word?

Jesus says in Matthew 10:37

He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:
and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Who really knows jesus well enough to say that they love him
more than anyone.

I don't know about any of you but i love my daughter more
than God and Jesus. I don't know them and even if i did, i'd
still love my daughter more.

What father or parent would give up their childrens lives,
to maybe go fight in Gods war or just to be with him? Not me.

What give jesus the right to say something like that? He wants
you to choose him over your own flesh and blood. That is so sad.
It really is.

Now either God/Jesus are liers or the bible has been so messed up that
there is barely and truth in it any more. Which is it? This is why i
posted this stuff. Not to pick on you kreagle but to point out the many
many flaws in any biblical text. They are a man made thing, and not
of God.

I'm not falling for the old, "you have to be filled with the
holy spirit, before you will understand", story again.

That's how Christians talk their way out of everything. For once,
come out of your belief system and read the real words the
bible says.

A friend of mine, from another forum used to get pissed at me
because i tried to prove to him things in the bible by quoting
scripture but if the scripture is a pack of lies, and mistranslations,
like he kept telling me, then how is quoting scripture going to
prove anything?

It's funny that scriptural text has only been around 2 to 3 thousand years
, yet we have text dating much much further back in time, that
tells of different gods that were around at that time.

If according to scripture, the earth is less than 10 thousand
years old, how do we get artifacts and text that dates further
back than 10 thousand years?

A mind blowing thought just entered my cranial cavity.

Everyone by now knows how governemts work. Reps and dems, are
suppose to be on different teams with one team being the bad guy
and the other one, the good guy, depending on how you look at
it. In reality though, they both play for the same team. Team
Greed. Their titles just make them look like they are on different
teams.

What if God and satan are playing on the same team. One is presented
as the good guy while the other is presented as the bad guy but in
reality, they both play for the same team and play the same game.

Maybe every character in the bible has been severely misrepresented
and we really don't know any of the at all.

I believe this to be the case. I believe in God/Jesus, for what-ever
reason but thats it. The bible(s) are a pack of lies and mistranslations
and all religions are wrong.

If you do just a little research into the far past history, you will see for your
self that the bible is made up of stories, stolen from a time before the bible.

Until you can climb out of your world of lies and see what is really the truth,
God will continue to send you those delusions, to make you believe that
religions are truth. Of course though, we can't trust what the bible say anyway.

All i really know, in my heart is that God exits. Thats all i know about him.

[kreagle]

humanalien,

Brother, I'm going to give you a little 'time' to think about your latest tirade towards.... God's Word, ( the Bible),.... 'pure religion', ( which does exist, James 1:27),...and your 'potential' role in all of this, my dear friend.


Your 'current' Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde persona makes it virtually 'impossible' for me to accurately assist you,....UNTIL....you decide 'who you actually want to be, ( or become).'

I have never made it a practise to 'continue to try' to teach someone who 'doesn't want to be taught!',....OR....to help someone who 'doesn't want to be helped!'

Furthermore,....I will not be able, ( or willing), to continue to attempt to instruct you, ( or anyone else), who seemingly insists that I 'abandon my Answer Book,...the Bible!'


You need to fully understand that I 'continue' to care, ( very deeply), for you and your situation and prayerfully hope you will get a grip on yourself and decide 'which side' you want to be on. Only you can make this decision.

Your brother, friend, and servant,......kreagle

[humanalien]

I'm not truly pick on you or your religion Kreagle. Your
happy being who you are and that is fine with me. I was
just pointing out more mistakes that i find in the bible and
i trying to show others(not only you) what i found.

I agree. Don't try to teach me kreagle because i'm not ready
for that step yet or maybe never. I don't know.

I do appreciate what you were trying to do and i thank you
for that but i didn't come here to be converted to begin with.

If i were to do that, i would contact a local church to help me with
that. I was just totally confused when i first came here and yes, i
probably looked like a jeckle/hide thing but now i can see more clearer
and now, i'm not confused any more.

Phones ringing, i'll have to go but thanks for your help kreagle.
I still consider you a friend to. I know you only have my best interest
at heart.

I'll not post any more on this forum thread, so that i don't become
a disrupter or derailer or what-ever magical name people are calling
it now.

[kreagle]

When 'Earthly' Treasure Looses It's Luster

I'm really convinced that 'this spiritual insight' of earthly treasures loosing their luster is one of the first things a person will notice when, ( if ever), they finally decide to embark upon their 'walk with God'. It certainly was for me.

As long as the 'luster' of this earthly life captivates most individuals,....they never seem to 'get around' to seeing their impending need for 'another life'. You can rest assured that Satan will go to extreme measures to 'polish up your earthly existence' as much as he can in an attempt to prohibit you from ever getting a 'divine image' of what God has in store for those who become disenchanted with the luster of this earthly existence!


Notice, here, the 'state of mind' of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts chapter 8,...prior to his conversion.

Acts 8:26-40 (KJV)

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

In verse 27, above, we find that this Ethiopian eunuch 'had the charge' of all of the queen's treasure. He had complete control over this wealth and, no doubt, his entire daily routine would have consisted of 'being around money and wealth'. However, in the midst of wealth that he constantly found himself surrounded by we find that his 'state of mind' had become disillusioned with what he easily had at his disposal. The 'luster' of all that he had before him was finally beginning to erode away causing him to, wisely,....look 'elsewhere' in his attempt for an 'everlasting treasure',....and one that would 'never loose it's luster!'

It takes 'complete faith', my dear friends, to 'totally' invest in 'another life',...( from a spiritual standpoint), when you've become so accustom to 'this side of life' that the world has to offer. The only way that 'most' are able to take that 'initial step of faith' is when they become cognizant of the fact that 'this world' does not contain the answers they are looking for. This 'earthly existence' has to, personally, 'loose it's luster', in order for you to seek a more promising and 'lasting' spiritual lifestyle.

Matthew 6:20-22 (KJV)

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

In closing, here, I ask you to look, again, at verse 22,....The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.


The 'eye being single' that is spoken about, here, is in direct correlation to us having the 'spiritual acuity' that I spoke of earlier in post #604,....https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post671262


That 'spiritual acuity',....( if properly used),....should begin to engage itself the very moment you 'begin to see', ( and recognize),....that 'this world doesn't have your answers',....and has 'lost it's luster'!

This 'moment of truth' is often our own, personal, 'Genesis moment',....'a true beginning' of seeking that which will 'never tarnish,...nor lose it's value!'

At least,...it was for me! Perhaps it is for you, also!


Your brother, friend, and servant,......kreagle