• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Israel-Hamas Thread II

The ceasefire deal should finally bring all hostages home. In return, however, Israel must also release 250 convicted terrorists. Among them are murderers, assassins and attack planners. The price Israel is paying for the return of the hostages is high. The release of emaciated and abused hostages in exchange for convicted criminals and murderers amounts to disgusting blackmail by Hamas. Of the 250 prisoners, 15 will be released to East Jerusalem, 100 to Judea and Samaria, and 135 who were convicted of murder or weapons offences will be released to Gaza or elsewhere, which will ultimately lead to a new breeding ground for hatred and violence by the terrorist organisation. Here are the criminal accounts of 10 terrorists who will be released from prison after the hostages are freed

Mahmoud Qawasmeh is a senior Hamas official who was released in 2011 as part of an exchange for the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. He was deported to Gaza and later re-arrested by Israel.

Raad el-Sheikh is a "Palestinian" policeman who was involved in a lynching in Ramallah and killed Israeli soldier Vadim Nurzhitz with an iron pipe. He was sentenced to two life sentences.

Mohammed Dawud threw a Molotov cocktail at the Moses family's car in 1987. The pregnant mother, Ofra, and her five-year-old son, Tal, died. Father Avi Moses was seriously injured but saved his children Arad and Nir.

Iyad Abu al-Rub was commander of the Islamic Jihad terrorist group in the Jenin area (Judea and Samaria). Among other things, he was responsible for the suicide bombing at the Sdei Trumot market in June 2003, the attack at the Stage club in Tel Aviv in February 2004 and the attack at the market in Chadera in 2005.

In 1996, Ibrahim Alikam murdered Ita Zur and her twelve-year-old son Efraim in an ambush near Ramallah.

Bahij Badr headed a Hamas cell that carried out several bombings, including attacks on Café Hillel in Jerusalem, a bus stop and Har Zion Boulevard in Tel Aviv. He is serving 18 life sentences for the murder of 18 Israelis.

Nabil Abu Khdeir murdered his sister because she allegedly collaborated with the Israeli secret service Shin Bet. He was on the run for 17 years until he was arrested as a lecturer at Bethlehem University.

Firas Ghanem was responsible for the murder of eight Israelis and the injury of dozens more in 2002.

Ahmad Aradeh was the mastermind behind the 2004 attack on the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv, in which three people were killed. The attack was originally planned for the French Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Iyad Fatafteh was a member of the terrorist cell that murdered American tourist Christine Luken and seriously injured Israeli tour guide Kay Wilson in the Judean Mountains in December 2010. The same cell had previously murdered Neta Blatt-Shor, whose body was found in a monastery.
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Hell doesn't exist and there is no eternal suffering, instead bad peolle just cease to exist

Well, consider that we moved closer to the facts

Perhaps then, seeing how the perp messes with YOU (and I) how the Words of God describing the perp's exposure, demise and finality could apply directly to our own faces, just as Jesus rebuked Satan speaking from Peter

In other words the CONDEMNATION/WRATH/JUDGMENT/LoF scriptures are in fact our Best Friend

Surprise!
I just tell Him to go to hell. Why didn’t you quote that part of my post? Did you not have a response? You give the perp a bit more credit than He reserves. He has already been defeated so get off the pity party.
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Are you spiritually sensitive?

It can work as discernment yes. I have asked for it and recently I got some discernment where it was not usually happening and saved me from some stuff.
I am an empath yes.

I think it’s important that our identity is grounded in the word. When we put labels upon ourselves He didn’t assign problems usually follow. God never called us empaths.

Have loads of dreams from God and sense evil. Me it is very much like air going through me and I pick up. Everything literally. All my dreams are happening and I meet Jesus too and things that happened in the world all true what he has told me and that happened. So, I see, dreams, and I feel. Hear in dreams.
But I never had it like this before. Only the previous work experience.

It’s important to balance what one receives in the dreamtime and the waking state. The former is the source of greatest vulnerability. Everything we see and hear isn’t the Lord and knowing the difference is a must.

The larger question you should be asking yourself is why you were willing to meet him at all. Given what you said it seems you’re on a different plane and the outing isn’t related to you but what he desires from you on his behalf. Why would you aid someone in finding a woman to hook up with? You don’t need a spiritual sensation to know that’s wrong.

Which begs the question and probably the lesson in all of this. What’s missing in your life that allowed this to occur? I don’t want an answer but it’s something you should consider.

~bella
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Emergency abortion denials by Catholic hospitals put woman in danger, after her water broke at 17 weeks, lawsuit claims

Can cause! A rupture of the amniotic membrane does not always proceed to an infection and may heal allowing the pregnancy to continue. If infected, and even before signs of infection, antibiotics can be administered to prevent infection.

If the infection of the amniotic membrane does in fact occur and fulminates, Catholic hospitals bioethics do allow the administration of drugs to induce contractions of the mother's uterus in order to expel the infected membranes. Therapeutic interventions on the mother's body to save the mother's life are good. The death of the premature child is bad but tolerated under the principles of the Double Effect.
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The History of the “Two Laws” Theory in Romans 3:20

Yes...not biblical, except for...the bible.

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Heb 12;14

"To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life." Rom 2:7

"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom 2:13

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Rev 22:14-15

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” Matt 19:17

Where the new-age Reformed theology gets it wrong is wherever they determine that the new covenant consists of the freedom to enter heaven without regard to one's righteousness. But, in truth, faith is the means, the doorway, to authentic righteousness, not the freedom to disregard it. It's freedom from unrighteousness, from slavery to sin (Rom 6), not freedom from righteousness and the obligation it demands of us:

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Rom 8:12-14

"When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." Rom 6:21-22

But it's just biblical stuff...
Except your interpretation.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬, ‭10‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“Now to the one who works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. For by it the people of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.””
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬-‭30‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“Not that we domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Salvation is by faith not by works. The moment you add faith then you are trying to save yourself. As we talked before I will continue to contend that we do works from salvation, we are made a workmanship of Christ after salvation by faith (Eph 2:8-10). We do not do works for salvation.
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Is 'once saved always saved' a biblical teaching?

-​


There is no such thing as a born again child of God loosing their Eternal life and going back to the state of being in spiritual death and facing the great white throne judgment and the second death.
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.


If a person is teaching the loss of Eternal Life of a born again child of God, they are teaching a lie.
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Discussion Andronicus and Junias Apostles.

Cessationism? It is an issue surrounding the belief that gifts and powers, offices go on today unstopped. I suppose I have heard some say the perfect thing to come, can't be Jesus and others that by interpretation it is Jesus. First 1 Corinthians 13:10 and then 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 and Revelation 22:1-2.
Most of the arguments I have heard that there can only be 13 Apostles comes from cessationists, trying to end elements of the Bible to whittle away at callings and gifts. If they can start casting doubt on the ongoing validity of one thing in scripture they can cast doubt on anything else. That, and they hate the people that they can categorize New Apostolic Reformation, so if they can call contemporary apostles heretics they can discredit them with one accusation. And people like Sproul and MacArthur made a lot of money holding anti-Holly Spirit rallies. Those 3rd resort homes don't pay for themselves
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Men now surpass women in church attendance, especially among Gen X, millennials: Barna

Except they have not been for some time now and society is beginning to adapt to that change.

Service is bilateral. God never intended for one party to give and the other to receive with no reciprocity. And there’s numerous examples in the bible of men preparing food. The same holds true for child rearing. Men were given a directive on parenting women didn’t receive. Focus on the Family made an important observation I’ll paraphrase below.

Key traits that define godly manhood include courage and sacrifice. However, two overlooked traits in our culture are selflessness and self-sacrifice. Another pair of traits critical to raising boys into godly men are gentleness and humility. A humble man can acknowledge his shortcomings and strive to do better, while a gentle man can treat others kindly, following the Golden Rule.

One of the reasons we’re witnessing a shift is the absence of the qualities noted above.

~bella
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AND HOW CHRIST FORMED THE BODY OF CHRIST !!

And I know why. you left OUT verse in Acts. 10:28.
I didn't leave out anything but apparently you do, vs 28 says: "... but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.", that's why Cornelius and the gentiles with him received holy spirit.

Aristarkos
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Release International prayer requests for North Korea and Nigeria.

11 October 2025 – North Korea​

Sadly North Korean defectors who are Christians are often influenced by cults. Pray that they would be increasingly rooted in the Word of God and established in their faith.


10 October 2025 – North Korea​

Pray for ‘Mrs GS’, a defector living in South Korea who was previously the head of an underground church network in North Korea. After one of her church members was caught and interrogated by the authorities, she fled in order to avoid arrest.


09 October 2025 – North Korea​

Pray for ‘Cheol-ju Park’, a young man whose mother and father were sent to a concentration camp after engaging in Christian activities. Cheol-ju and his siblings have grown up without parents and are still trying to make sense of their relationship with the Christian faith.


08 October 2025 – North Korea​

Please pray for ‘Seo Gyeong-hee’. A member of her underground church network asked her to connect with somebody in another location but, while doing so, she was stopped and interrogated by the authorities. She was released but now lives with the trauma of her experience.


07 October 2025 – Nigeria​

Praise God that work to build a new home for Pastor Gideon Dawell is progressing. Gideon lost his wife and five children in a Fulani attack on Christmas Eve 2023 (see Voice, Oct-Dec 2024). Pray that there would be no delays to the building project.


06 October 2025 – Nigeria​

Pray for Daniel Tagwi, and his wife Jessica, as they prepare to graduate from theological college. Daniel was called to ministry after his brother, Matthew, a pastor in rural Nigeria, was martyred. Pray that Daniel would be wise and trust in God’s guidance.


05 October 2025 – Nigeria​

Pray for the peace and good governance of Nigeria, especially that the authorities would act to protect all citizens and bring to justice perpetrators of attacks against Christian communities.


Sign up for email prayer alerts: info@releaseinternational.org
  • Prayers
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Discernment or dominance?

When I walk down the street I’m surrounded by strangers. When I enter a church the same holds true. Why would I cease to use the discrimination I apply elsewhere? If I see someone in public who makes me uncomfortable I move away from that person but I’m supposed to do otherwise because the setting changed?

God has given us wisdom for a reason and I use it judiciously. It would have been better if they kept their opinions to themselves and voiced concerns when apropos. Some things are just for our edification and not meant to be shared with others.

~bella
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How do we set aside the grace of God?

The way that someone attains a character trait is a different issue than what it means to have a character trait. The one and only way to attain a character trait is through faith but what it means to have a character trait is to be a doer of the works that embody that trait. For example, the only way for someone to become courageous is by faith apart from being required to have first done enough courageous works in order to earn it as the result, but it would be contradictory for someone to become courageous apart from becoming a doer of courageous works and the same is true for righteousness and every other character trait. This is again why the faith by which we are declared righteous apart from works also upholds our need to be a doer of righteous works in obedience to God's law (Romans 3:28-31).

You say the only way to have a trait is to be required to do the trait repeatedly until it becomes a trait.

Romans 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor (grace), but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, NASU

You are changing the meaning of words and teaching a works-based salvation. In your doctrine the trait of righteousness is acquired when one does the works of righteousness repeatedly until it becomes a trait. Yours is a salvation without grace and of works.


You cite: Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. 31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. NASU

Paul stated that justification by faith established the law. The law of Moses defined sin, and it defined the blood sacrifices required to get forgiveness of sin.

Hebrews 10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. NASU

The law required blood sacrifices to atone for one's sins, even though the blood of animals cannot take away sins. The sins were removed not by the blood of the bulls and goats. The sacrifices were offered by the people to show they believed that God would send them a redeemer. It was the faith displayed by the people when they offered the required sacrifices. When Jesus came his sacrifice established the reason for God requiring animal sacrifices, when their blood did nothing to remove sins, it was the faith that people showed in God by making the sacrifice.

Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. NASU

Did works of the law make Zacharias and Elizabeth righteous?


Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM." 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." NASU

No! It was his faith in God's word that made him righteous. It was faith under the law and its faith under grace. Justification by faith establishes the reason God gave the law. Observance of the law did not make men righteous, it was faith in God's word that made them righteous. The OT saints looked forward to the Messiah. The NT saints look back to the Messiah.


Luke 2:25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. NASU


Isaiah chapters 40-66 spoke of the comfort God promised through the Messiah. Simeon was righteous because he had faith in God's word.

Luke 2:36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. NASU


Anna had faith that God would send a redeemer. It is faith from the garden to revelation in God's word that makes people righteous. No one had to do works until it became a character trait.

You are setting aside the grace of God by teaching a works-based salvation.

In Exodus 33:13, Moses wanted God to be gracious to him by teaching him to walk in His way that He and Israel might know Him, and in Matthew 7:23, Jesus said that he would tell those who are workers of lawlessness to depart from because he never knew them, so the goal of the law is to graciously teach us how to know God and Jesus, which is His gift of eternal life (John 17:3).

In Romans 9:30-10:4, they had a zeal for God, but it was not based on knowing Him, so they failed to attain righteousness because they misunderstood the goal of the law by pursuing it as though righteousness were earned as the result of their works in order to establish their own instead of pursuing it as through righteousness were by faith in Christ, for knowing Christ is the goal of the law for righteousness for everyone who has faith. We do not earn our righteousness as the result of our obedience to God's law, but rather the way that Jesus makes us righteous is by graciously teaching us to be a doer of righteous works in obedience to God's law through faith.


While it is true that Abraham believed God, so he was declared righteous, it is also true that Abraham believes God, so he was a doer of righteous works (Genesis 18:19). Similarly, it is also true that Abraham believed God, so he obeyed His command to offer Isaac (Hebrews 11:17), so the same faith by which he was declared righteous was also embodied by being an obeyer of God, but he did not earn his righteousness as the result of his obedience (Romans 4:1-5).


In 1 John 2:6, those who abide in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way that he walked, so verses that refer to those who abide in Christ are only refers to those who are following his example of walking in obedience to God's law. In Romans 8:4-7, Paul contrasted those who walk in the Spirit with those who have minds set on the flesh who are enemies of God who refuse to submit to God's law. Nowhere did God fulfill the law of sin and death, but rather He is without sin.

We embody what we believe to be true about God through our works, such as with James 2:18 saying that he would show his faith through his works, so the way to believe in Jesus is by being a doer of the same works as James. In other words, the way to believe in God is by embodying His likeness through being a doer of His character traits. For example, by being a doer of good works in obedience to God's law we are embodying His goodness, which is why our good works bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16), and by embodying God's goodness we are also expressing the belief that God is good. Likewise, the way to believe that God is a doer of justice is by embodying His likeness through being a doer of justice, the way to believe that God is compassionate is by being compassionate, the way to believe that God is holy is by being a doer of His instructions for how to be holy as He is holy, and so forth. This is exactly the same as the way to believe in the Son, who is the radiance of God's glory and the exact likeness of His character (Hebrews 1:3), which he embodied through his works by setting a sinless example for us to follow of how to walk in obedience to God's law. This is also why the Bible repeatedly connects our obedience to God with our belief in Him, such as with Revelation 14:12 where those who kept faith in Jesus are the same as those who kept God's commandments. So believing in the God's Word made flesh does not refer to something that is an alternative to following His example of embodying God's Word.
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Melania Trump works with Putin to reunite displaced Ukrainian children with families

Really? They kidnap children with the intent of russifying them and now they're trying to paint themselves as some sort of humanitarians trying to reunite children? Then don't kidnap and displace them in the first place!
Same as how peace could easily achieved if only Russia would stop/never started attacking Ukraine in the first place.
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#41 in Christian persecution, Qatar.

41Qatar​


Christians in Qatar are either workers from non-Muslim countries, or people from Muslim backgrounds – and the two rarely interact. There are many migrant workers in Qatar who are allowed to practise the Christian faith – as long as they stick to Qatar’s rules. There is an official religious complex outside the capital, Doha, where a select number of churches have been allowed to meet. Qatari citizens aren’t allowed to enter, and migrant Christians must not speak about Christianity to Muslims. If they do, they may be arrested or deported.
Qataris and migrants from Muslim families who have faith in Jesus can’t openly practise Christianity and can face discrimination, harassment and police monitoring. Changing one’s faith from Islam is not officially recognised, which can cause legal problems around marriage and property ownership.
Qatar is increasingly using advanced technology to monitor both citizens and immigrants. This has caused Christians in Qatar to become increasingly careful about their activities. There are few reports of Christians being physically harmed for their faith, because believers from Muslim backgrounds keep their faith secret.
41-Qatar-WWL-2025-second-banner.png

Meet Nadia​

“The risks are very real not just for the individual but also the extended family who are shamed by association. It’s very challenging to find a church and other believers. There’s a lot of fear and mistrust. You could be talking to someone who’s not a believer but is just pretending.”
Nadia (name changed), Arabian Peninsula

What does Open Doors do to help?​

Open Doors supports the Body of Christ on the Arabian Peninsula by organising prayer, distributing Scripture resources, and training believers and pastors.

Please pray​

  • Thank God that so many migrant Christians in Qatar can worship Him in freedom.
  • Pray that native Qataris will be permitted to convert from Islam without repercussion.
  • Pray for protection for nat
  • Prayers
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Are Some Prayers An Exercise In Futility?

They're exploiting a human weakness irresponsibly. The need to get somewhere or to be "seen". Something that's may not be easy to accomplish in the real world outside of the game or internet.

I think the majority are bored or lonely and games fill that void.

This is why people also get addicted to social media. And also because our world rewards irresponsible behavior.

Social media is largely dependent on the person using it. That determines your experience. If you want to learn and exchange discourse with likeminded people you can. If your motivations are primarily empty you’ll find that too.

The world doesn’t reward folly. Public figures are encouraged to be foolish but they’re compensated and playing a role. When viewers follow suit they have different results.

Influencers who have reached "viral" status or have lots of viral content seem to let the quality go (from an objective perspective) and start behaving like someone losing touch with reality.

The influencer space seems to reward the dumbest/mindless contents the most.

Everything you see in this medium is a reflection of what exists outside of it. Mindless content is popular because people crave it. Unlike television we’re able to see what they prefer by the views. You can go viral on different topics even serious ones. It’s just a matter of connecting with the audience.

I don't think this is going to happen any time soon. I've used LLMs at work, and mostly google Gemini which seems to be the best at it. The quality of human work is still better than AI work. AI can do the work at a small fraction of the cost but quality goes down the drain.

I think human work is better in most instances but I also believe they haven’t demonstrated its full abilities. New concepts are usually dripped out much like content to build interest. But behind closed doors its more advanced. There were films from the 70s depicting things we have today.

That point was driven home by the chair of the federal reserve. He said they’ve been working on digital currency since the nineties. There’s an issue from economist magazine in 1988 announcing its arrival.

I have more faith of the "exploit" I found will bring much bigger changes to the world and individual quality of life than AI. Ironically, even AI technology will massively benefit from it.

Most people are accustomed to ease and will seek it out. We’re seeing it now and they’ll allow it to think for them. Ideas and creativity are the new currency.

You're absolutely right what you said there. People tend to get lost in their hobbies, especially men. Maybe I'm only seeing this contrast in my country in Asia. Women are much less likely to play around and more mature/responsible and men tend to be the problem in relationships. It's the same pattern in both rich and poor but richer couples seem to have worse problems with infidelity and substance abuse, gambling, gaming, etc.

Most of the players on the bingo game were women. It was designed for them in my opinion. I noticed the same on another game where you had to find hidden objects in a scene. That wasn’t the case long ago and I suspect the diminishment of friendships is the cause.

Women don’t usually neglect their partner or family over hobbies. You’re more likely to see that with men. Wealthy couples have different struggles. You need someone who’s levelheaded with self-control and I emphasize the latter for that reason. The opportunities to indulge vices is greater and if you can’t rein yourself in you’ll go too far.

Faith alone isn’t enough and that probably sounds bad. But you need a moral compass in tow. If you don’t believe its wrong you’ll give in eventually. That’s what helps you resist temptation when your guard is down. You have to be ethical before it arrives. You’ll rarely become a better person morally with means. It amplifies what exists.

~bella
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10/7/23 Anniversary Hamas Attacked Israel

Those wars were started by the demonic savages of Hamas who use innocent people, including children, as human shields.

Do you believe that Palestinians are human beings created in the Image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect?

-CryptoLutheran
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The Schumer Shutdown

Outside of VA care for veterans and Medicare/Medicaid everything is private insurance or out of pocket.

If people dont have healthcare they only go to the hospital as a last resort, so problems are only identified in late stages where care is more expensive or where it's too late to treat. Hospitals charge more to make up for people who don't have health care and can't pay or are slow to pay and because Medicare/Medicaid doesn’t reimburse at decent amounts. A couple of hospitals have already decided to close because they won't have enough money to cover operating expenses as a result of the "BBB" passed.

When hospitals charge more, health insurance companies charge more, so this affects everyone's cost.

I'm one of those people who would just stick it out and suffer or use home remedies when I didnt have insurance. Home remedies sre still my first go to. If it wasn't for Obamacare I probably wouldn't be here. My insurance is through my employer but they weren't offering it to employees who were classified as part time. Once the ACA passed I was able to sign up again.

I got insurance that Jan and finally felt so bad I went to the emergency room early Feb. I didn't have a primarily care physician. I had been having issues for months with a persistent cough and ankles swelling. I thought I would be given a diuretic and sent home. They kept me 3 days. I had HBP which led to congestive heart failure. The cough was due to fluid build up in my lungs and the swollen ankles from fluid retention also.
My kidneys were failing, but once they got my HBP down they recovered ok. If I hadn't got insurance I wouldn't have gone because I couldn't have afforded it. As it was, I ended up with a bill for several thousand dollars. I was able to get a payment plan via the hospital though.

I have to have insurance for doctors visits and to cover the cost of the prescriptions. If I can't afford to keep my healthcare I may have to get another doctor. He requires payments up front to receive care if you dont have an insurance copay.

I won't be nearly as bad off as thousands of other people, though. Too many people are treating this as a red vs blue issue, supporting their own team, instead of an American issue.

There was a comment I heard several months back that said as Christians we tend to value HEALING but we don't value HEALTH. That rang true, for me at least, so I've been taking better care of myself.

The GOP didn't announce a repeal of Obamacare this time. They are trying to give it a slower death by starving it. They thought the effects wouldn't be felt until after next years midterms but it's being felt now as hospitals do budgets months in advance, hence some of the closures. I hope common sense will prevail and the GOP with do the right thing for the sake of it being the right thing. Barring that, I hope they are willing to do it for the self benefit of keeping their job.
That is so rough! 20 years ago when my son had leukaemia we didn't have to pay a cent. It is stressful enough to be sick or have a little kid that's sick.

Back then I practically lived in hospital with my son for about 6 months. The carer burnout My wife and I suffered while running a business and me being full-time carer was rough enough. Adding all that financial trauma to satisfy some warped right wing paranoia about socialised medicine just makes me angry! My son's treatment was entirely free - all 6 months. We only paid for parking and snacks.

Also, a few months ago I had this incredible pain in my gut. It just built and built! I went into one hospital, ended up on painkillers while they took a scan, and then the next day was transferred to another hospital to have a kidney stent inserted for a kidney stone.

I went in late Thursday night and came out from another hospital Saturday afternoon, surgery and recovery time will included.

It was all 100% free.

And the best bit? Australians pay half what Americans pay.

Government-owned and operated hospitals are just that much cheaper.
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Economic loss for the US

I just read that Trump put 100 percent tariffs on China. Like China cares. They already proved., they can get things elsewhere.
There’s a store near us that sells board games and gifts (including stuffed animals) which my son and I will go in from time to time, mainly just to look around. They are seasonal and only open around Christmas. We went there yesterday and the shelves were 30% empty. Maybe they were just starting to stock shelves, but more likely I assume it’s because of tariffs.

It really stinks for the businesses directly impacted by this. My work will be impacted directly and indirectly. What we make are luxury items. We’re paying more for materials because of tariffs, and sales are suffering because when everything else is getting more expensive, luxury items are one the first things people will cut out of their budget.

Our sales always take a hit during recessions, but this is especially bad, since it’s coming right after a period of high inflation.
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Tactile Icons

There are some Beeswax carved icons as well. They are infused with incense. I previously purchased this one of St Stephen. (They have a range of sizes and prices).

Oh thank you! Those are lovely, I greatly appreciate the recommendation.
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The Ten Commandments are the Covenant, did you know?

Just as a general comment in this ridiculous thread, even though it has been repeated for years on end here,...


- We have a new covenant, not a re-newed one.
What is the New Covenant established on? All new laws? Can you please point where it says this?

According to what I can find in Scripture the New Covenant is established (the basis) on better promises

Heb 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

What else does the New Covenant have?

Heb8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Who determines what are God's laws- God or us?

God said the first covenant His Ten Commandments are His laws

Deu 4:13 So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.

Deu 5:22 "These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

Exo 20:6 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

According to clear Scripture the New Covenant is established on better promises and still has God's laws now written on a better surface, from tables of stone to tablets of the heart. Why we see all Ten Commandments being kept all throughout the NC because they never disappeared as many teach because its still sin to break them 1John3:4 breaking one we break them all James 2:11

2 Cor3:3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

I don't know why so many spend their time focusing on what the NC is not about instead on focusing what God said it is about- better promises. Is it a better promise to worship other gods? Or is it the better promise of how God will help us keep His commandments through our love and faith (John14:15-18) so we don't sin and fall in apostasy like those who came before us. Do we really think God loves us more than those before us Rom2:11 that the result is going to be different when we are told plainly its not? Heb 4:11 1 John2:4 Mat7:21-23 Rev 22:14-15 Heb 10:26-30

Like Joshua if only worshipping God seems evil to us, which is the first commandment in the Ten that Jesus plainly said He did not come to destroy (like the other nine) we all must make choices. . .

Joh 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of [b]the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- We are children of Abraham, not children of Moses.
Yes, Abraham also kept God's commandments Gen 26:5 as did Moses as does everyone who loves God and abides in Him. Exo20:6 John14:15 Rev 14:12 John 15:10 1 John 3:24 Rev 22:14 etc
- Jesus fulfilled all of the law, not part of it. It is finished/completed.
Lets again actually look at the Scripture

Mat 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Does fulfill mean the same thing as destroy? To end- of course not. When one fulfills a wedding covenant does that mean they can commit adultery? Sadly this is what people are teaching to commit adultery with God. Jesus filled- full the Law just as He promised to do

Isa 42:21 The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

What are we supposed to do with God's law- same as Jesus John15:10 1 John2:6

Rom 8:4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

What does walking in the flesh mean? Those laying aside the commandments of God Mark7:7-8

Rom 8: 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

So lets not twist what Jesus said plainly and make ourselves an enemy to Him.

Those who receive His Spirit is not disobeying God's laws John 15:14-18 Acts 5:32. If one would use common sense- is Jesus teaching because He fulfilled the law that means we can worship other gods, or vain His holy name, or steal from our neighbor and murder them breaking the least of these commandments the opposite of what He said in the same passage? Mat5:19-30 that makes us an enemy of God Rom8:7-8 and outside God's Kingdom Rev22:15
- We obey Jesus and "His" commandments, not Moses and the law.
Please find Moses in one of these verses. This is God of the Universe speaking and His own personal written Testimony- Moses is not God. Jesus said He did not come to destroy but to magnify

Exo 20:1 And God spoke all these words, saying:
2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of [a]bondage.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor [b]serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting[c] the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Deu 4:13 So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.

Exo 20:6 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Sometimes things are just too simple for people to understand and they hold onto personal beliefs instead of seeking the truth from GOD (even though the truth is staring them right in the face).
This we can agree on.

Truth according to Scripture

Jesus is the Truth John 14:6
All His commandments are Truth Psa 119:151
His Word is Truth John 17:17

His Truth sets us free John 8:32

But sadly many have turned from the Truth as we are told

2 Tim 4: 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables
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Dominion Voting Systems - the very ones Trump accused of fixing the election for Biden - just purchased by a former Republican election official!

More to the point, will Democrats now turn on Dominion? Will we see now see forums dominated by Democrats complaining about the machines? Will they now question the results of any election where polling is done with Dominion machines?

Speaking of questions, have you used a Dominion machine to cast a ballot or have you see one used?
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Worried about my discussion I had with my father about the lost people

I want to make myself clear. I didn't want to judge these people while discussing this with my father, but my discussion with my father fluctuated as thoughts fluctuate, so these words ("evil people") were probably spoken in my rush to make my father understand what I was talking about.
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