owen

Daph, I forgot to mention that this friend of mine who sent me an email, she dreamt that God appeared in her dream and told her that HE IS REAL. God Himself told her that He is real. BTW, I also met atheists who spew profanities and blasphemies on my face. I wanted to punch them on the face, but I thank God I didnt, I have kept my self-control... otherwise I would have involved myself into trouble

I remember I had two atheist friends from England. I met them in my work. I knew they were atheists. I knew I needed to be nice to them and also aware and cautious to not offend their belief system. One day, it jut happened that our conversation has led us to God, I shared my supernatural experience with God to them. and I could read their minds being puzzled and wondering if I am stupid or deluded. I know that atheist thinks that christians are stupid, ignorant and deluded. I was really really careful not put strife or offense between us because I didnt want to lose the friendship. I knew that through friendship I could at least show who God is to them. I prayed daily for them asking God to give me wisdom how to deal with it. Sometimes, I bought food for them, give some small things for them such as nice pen, notebooks, or small nice gifts. This made them wonder why I was doing this, because i was not even arguing about God with them. I was also trying to help them with their work. One day one of them told me that she saw something differnet in me, she also said that she havent met a person like me and she started to ask about God. At that moment she became open when I talked about the Bible and the word of God. I gave her a Bible. And encouraged her to read it. I knew that her athiestic belief was shakening because she became curious about the Bible, in a positve way. I remeber she told that she was arguing with her friend about this. But somehow convinced her friend to join us everytime we talked about the Bible and God. We did it for some time, until they went back to England. After a couple of months, I received an email from her, telling me that she is now praying and reading the Bible I gave her, and honestly confessed that she believes in God. She was trying to find a church to be involved with. and i dont have any idea what I happen to the other friend. But I am very grateful to God how he reached out their lives.

D, I do believe in that. there are many testimonies of people that they were brought by God to hell, even in the lake of fire, and also in heaven. Some are during NDE, others in dreams, others in trances. I read several of those stories. Owen talking serious

The good thing is, you are aware of it, that is a sign that the HS is working. I really understand how it feels, it is like a combination of self pity, a bit of condemnation but combined with a strong sense of conviction. I did struglle during those times, and you are right one of the reason is lack of trust and faith in him, this is why we do what we think is right according to how we see things. During those times, God is always reminding me that I have to carry my cross everyday, means I have to die daily, because if not, the big ´I´will usurp the throne of God, and become vulnerable of this destructive spirit. So I learned if we are caught off guard spiritually, this spirit will take the control, even so, Im still learning it until right now.

Hi, I found two biblical reference about cloud of witness which I thought might help you(unless you already know) Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 11 talked about all men in the Bible who have gone before us and walked in Faith in God all the rest of their lives until they were taken up into heaven. And in Hebrews 12 Paul called them clouds of witness. Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, This is also a verse that about the cloud of witness but in this passage it is called and to the spirits of just men made perfect. Yes, the cloud of witnesses are those people, old and young that includes our loved ones, who went with God in heaven. They are indeed watching and cheering us to walk in faith and finish the race this is why Paul called them witnesses. When my son turned to 4, I and my wife had decided to include this biblical truth everytime we talked with him about God because we truly believe that children as young as they are, must also have a glimpse of the reality of two realms, the physical and the spiritual realm. That these two realms are real and they do exist together. I believe by doing this my wife and I are starting to create a mentality of what heaven is in our son's mind and also building their spiritual faith that sees beyond what they can see in the natural. I remeber when we told him that about the story of Abraham and Isaac that they are now in heaven, and they are watching him, he looked at us with serious face, pondering and trying to understand everything we told him. We can encourage children by this truth by telling them that we all have one home that we are going to and that is God in heaven. And those loved ones who has passed away and gone to heaven are actually watching us, and one day we will see them when we finish doing His will here on earth. They may not be here with us physically and can not see them, but the Bible teaches us and assures us that they are just in the other realm, in the heavenly city waiting for us when we have done everything here, then we will meet them again. Also, it is important to tell them that they were not lost nor cease to exist, but they have come into God's perfection and glory, while us we have to continue doing His will here. If you have a chance, it would be very helpful explaining these things to kids with nice and colorful biblical posters or pictures describing what heaven looks like. It makes a difference because kids learn fast if you have visual aids to show them. I hope this makes sense to you.

Amen! I cant say anything, Cholette's advice is filled with wisdom. BTW, here is the biblical reference she quoted...Prov.16:9 (KJV) A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. (CEV) We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go. (GW) A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps.

I can smell the aroma of victory over this situation in my spirit. Evil will never prevail over righteousness.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the strength that you give for Emily. Lord, I believe you are going to meet her needs. Thank for the joy and peace you are placing in her heart. I ask for your presence in her to be tangible within and out. Assure her Lord, that your will is the perfect place where she can be. Thank you Lord because you are faithful to answer when we call your name. Amen.

This is a testimony of God's faithfulness. I am happy for you Mia. God is so good!

that's the General speaking

undeniably true.

I got better than that.... Owen doing triathlon when done,

oh, you bet! Owen, runin like a flash

It could be , sumtyms cud come in square, circle, triangle or different polygons , sumtyms cud come as a boy a girl or old etc.

wonderin Gen D in hell

I do understand you MJ, and also glad that you sought for the truth.

Hinds, there are several manifestations of this kind of spirit, and it takes the working of the Holy Spirit to unmask this destructive spirit. From the day that I have encountered this spirit in my life, I learned that each one of us has this kind of spirit to some degree and manifestation. To say that I dont have this kind of spirit would be an indication that I do have, as far as my experience in concerned. This kind of spirit is so subtle and it is hard to detect, nobody can be delivered with this without the genuine working of the HS. I could even say that sometimes I am deceived and fooled with this spirit.

When it comes to Bible and doctrine I have learned and believed that what matters most is the kind of heart and spirit in receiving biblical truth. 2Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. I believe that receiving biblical truth in right spirit or wrong spirit determines the input and output flow which greatly affects the fruit I am bearing. And when it comes to doctrine, I see to it that it is always biblically and honestly based in the word of God whether literal or symbolic, and with in the context of biblical passage, along with its semantics and syntactical , lexical connotations and denotations whether in English or its original text. I could honestly say that I cannot do it perfectly or in 100 percent accuracy because I know I am imperfect, this is why I need the Holy Spirit to depend on. I have also learned to be open to corrections from others whenever blical truth is presented to me that I have not understood and seen it before. When I begin to think that I am always right, inevitably, pride will slowly creep into my heart. This is where I stand in the faith of the word of God.

I think everybody here understands the gospel, much more for MJ, but I think she was NOT asking about the gospel. I think what she just wanted to clarify is if Jesus really went to hell, this is why I explained two kinds of hell as what is written in the Bible. I didn't expalin the gospel, nor gave my opinion on it, because she was not asking for it. I completely understand that we are forever grateful because Jesus had to suffer but that is not what MJ is talking about. I think this is thread hijack. MJ's post is not generally about the gospel.

You are right, learning the original text of the Bible (Hebrew, GreeK) is very enlightening that helps us understand the truth of who God is and His nature because there are some words in Hebrew and Greek that vary in meaning when it is translated in English. I am currently stuying the names of God in Hebrew, and it shows that what I knew about the attributes of God before was shallow compared to what the Hebrew word revealed. Example, the popular name of God is El Shaddai, meaning God Almighty, but the SHAD in Shaddai literally means breast. This implies that it He is the God who nourishes like a mother to her youngs. Or another implication is, it is He the GOd who nourishes and sustains His creation. I praise and thank God that this kind of discussion ingnites your appetite to know the truth because we are taught in the Bible to: 2Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Blessings...

Hi DS, Thank you for sharing what you believe on this topic and for taking time to post your insights. I really appreciate it because you did your own research on it. We know that we should respect other’s belief regardless of denomination, faith, and doctrine. Speaking of Biblical truth, however, we must also consider the biblical context of the word that we need to study so that we can arrive to biblical truth. We know that we are not trying to study theories when it comes to Bible; we are studying and seeking Truth Himself. We all know that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, therefore, we are not dealing with theories, instead we are learning spiritual truth. This is why I believe it is very important how a certain word is being used with its corresponding specific meaning. The Bible has several examples of certain word with various literal meaning and implications. I also believe that it is very important to address it here in order to help us understand more of biblical truth. I also understand that debates, discord, dissention, and disunity in the body of Christ have risen because of Bible interpretation, whether a certain word is literal or symbolic. This is why God sent His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us into all truth to avoid deception and delusion. I would like to cite one example on how the Bible uses the same word with in different Biblical context or meaning. Power. The Bible mentions power 272 times(KJV) 1.Power = dunamis = manifestation of God’s power Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 2.Power = exousia = authority, right to act Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 3.Power = archē = rulership Lk 20:20 And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. Now, in the case of the word hell, the Bilble refers to two kinds of hell and those are: 1. Hell = Hades or sheol = prison, abyss, death, grave, pit, sometimes translated as corruption, decay, or destruction. Pss 55:15 Let death seize upon them, [and] let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness [is] in their dwellings, [and] among them. The old testament uses those words to refer hell. Interestingly notable that in new testament, it mentioned two different kinds of hell, the first is hades or death, taken from the old testament with same meaning. The other which will lead to the second meaning of hell which is… 2. Hell = Geenna = an everlasting punishment in fire. Mt 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. All those biblical references that tell us that Jesus went to hell, the word hell being used in those vesrses means hades, this is why I said in other post that Jesus indeed went to prison (hades) but He did not went to hell(geenna). If I am not wrong I think this is also what MJ was trying to understand. I know I have not elaborated well the two kinds of hell in former post. As of now I have never found a single verse that says Jesus went to hell(geenna). If someone could show me that Jesus went to hell(geenna) as well, then, I am very willing to change what I believe according to the word of God. But right now, I have been looking and searching the Bible, and I only found that Jesus went to hades.

need to get rid of hijackers here Owen, in SWAT team