Hans Blaster said:

Of what use is "immaterialism" in making vases, pyramidal resonators, or cutting (or pouring) stone blocks?

Click to expand...

First the thread is not about the science of making stuff. Or a scientific thread on the technical aspects of making stuff. This was merely one example of trying to work out what level of knowledge ancients had.

But knowledge can come from other aspects like belief and conscious experiences.

As mentions like the experience of colors. If conscious experiences or beliefs are a real phenomena that gives the ancients insights into nature and reality that the material sciences cannot give. Then the immaterial experiences of reality is the knowledge that got them there when the material worldview could not.

If belief in God or spirituality can actually alter the material world then that is knowledge beyond the material sciences. If consciousness is beyond brain then that is the knowledge that material sciences cannot tell us and what allowed the ancients to manipulate nature and reality.

If that was a deeper understanding of natural geometry, the material nature of substances that allowed them to manipulate it. Or just the direct experiences of nature and reality that revealed to them experientially something about nature and reality that affected them or their world. Which gave them the knowledge.

Pommer said:

L. Ron Hubbard missed his calling!

Click to expand...

Especially now that talks of UAPs have gotten more prevalent recently.

He could've dovetailed that into his existing books.

camille70 said:

James isn’t out of the woods yet. They can indict her again. She might have a separate case requesting dismissal over malicious prosecution pending though. If so, I don't know what happens with that since this is currently dismissed.

Click to expand...

Comey can be indicted again despite this dismissal if it's done by someone properly appointed. This article discusses the issue:

We're now past the statute of limitations for Comey, it is true, but if an indictment is filed within the statute of limitations but dismissed after the statute runs out, the government normally gets another 6 months to bring the case; see US Code Title 18 Part II Chapter 213 Section 3288. Here's the full thing:

Whenever an indictment or information charging a felony is dismissed for any reason after the period prescribed by the applicable statute of limitations has expired, a new indictment may be returned in the appropriate jurisdiction within six calendar months of the date of the dismissal of the indictment or information, or, in the event of an appeal, within 60 days of the date the dismissal of the indictment or information becomes final, or, if no regular grand jury is in session in the appropriate jurisdiction when the indictment or information is dismissed, within six calendar months of the date when the next regular grand jury is convened, which new indictment shall not be barred by any statute of limitations. This section does not permit the filing of a new indictment or information where the reason for the dismissal was the failure to file the indictment or information within the period prescribed by the applicable statute of limitations, or some other reason that would bar a new prosecution.

The key points are the bolded. It was dismissed, and thus they get another 6 months to bring a new one. Unless the dismissal was failure to file the indictment within the period prescribed or something else that would bar a new prosecution. That is not the case for this dismissal; all they have to do is have a properly appointed prosecutor bring the case and they can do it again.

That said, there were other motions to to dismiss Comey filed that aren't in front of the same judge that did this dismissal, and some of those might end up triggering the second bolded section by virtue of "failure to file the indictment" due to grand jury shenanigans, or the conclusion it's a vindictive and selective prosecution (which wouldn't be any less vindictive or selective six months from now). Despite Halligan doing a bad job with the grand jury, no doubt due to her inexperience, from my understanding it doesn't seem like the issues are enough to conclude that it was actually a failure to file, but they might. In regards to the vindictive and selective prosecution, the fact it's vindictive is easy (if this can't be ruled vindictive, what prosecution can?) but as I understand it, you need more than just that--you need to also prove it's selective, meaning other people aren't getting prosecuted for similar alleged crimes, which is where things get more murky. If the case is also dismissed on those grounds, then it seems like it would prevent another indictment for coming to Comey on this... but this current dismissal doesn't preclude another indictment.

1 Corinthians 15:41-42 - From 35-58 is explaining several concepts at once using metaphors by using some of the same terminology that is described else where. So essentially, We cannot be born again in Christ unless we die to our flesh which is the same concept Paul uses here but hes making a different point. So, we will be raised with a heavenly body which is a different type in general vs the one we have now which perishable and hes giving examples of the differences in other things to illustrate his point.

Luke 19:17 - Is a parable about the different kinds of servants. 2 kinds used what God gave them and expounded on the nobles kingdom and was rewarded based on what was returned to the noble when he came back as King. This story is noble = Jesus. The 3rd servant didnt do anything with what God gave him which upset God, so he took back what was given and gave it to the guy who did the most. He says he should have at least put it in the bank which he would have gotten interest at least. So essentially: The 2 good servants brought people to Christ, corrected people etc. The 3rd servant could have helped others, taken part in the church, would would have at least passively helped in growing Gods kingdom but instead he did nothing.

Matthew 5:19 - Who ever teaches Gods commands (10 commandments and others like baptism and the last supper), God views as "great" in his kingdom.

1 Corinthians 7:38- Paul says it's better to remain single, because you can do whatever you need to do for God and you don't have any responsibility for anyone else (a wife) that could hinder what you could do for God. So if God told you to go somewhere, if you're single you can just pack and go but if you have a wife to look after, that creates issues in Pauls opinion because of "divided interests".

Matthew 19:12- Jesus is saying simply to accept how God's kingdom IS. It's like complaining about how someone runs his house and Jesus is just like, it is what it is, just accept it. The topic was divorce, where Jesus says if you divorce for any other reason other than sexual immorality, you are committing adultery. The pharisees didn't like that answer because back then they would write a divorce decree if the woman just got on his nerves... it was ridiculous. So clearly, they didn't like Jesus's answer.

Revelation 14:4 - This is a very very long study... and is not a simple answer. I will try to sum up because to explain would need a whole post for... so in the context of the verse "virgins" who haven't defiled themselves with women is debated among a lot of people... some people take this literally, and people like myself see the symbolic context to it. Woman = religion, virgin = being righteous, so someone who isn't a spiritual adulterer and has another god while also trying to follow Christ. So for me, in this context, these 144,000 are pure, undefiled (spiritually speaking), people who follow Jesus where ever he goes because he is their shepherd.

Mark Quayle said:

If I take this as an answer to my question, then you do indeed depend on CHANCE to cause things. Your notion of Free Will depends on it. And it is self-contradictory. Chance can cause nothing.

But, maybe you think that man is a 'little' first cause. That too is self-contradictory, if God, THE First Cause, created man and the universe in which man lives.

Further, your notion of Free Will puts God as a reactor to fact, and not the beginning of fact.

Further, or to say what I have already said, but differently, your notion of Free Will diminishes God's Sovereignty and Omnipotence.



Further, your notion of Free Will

Click to expand...

God's omnipotence, sovereignty and omnibenevolence can allow humans to make some autonomous free will choices out of a Love for humans which can allow them to become like God Himself with Godly type Love.
God is wise enough and powerful enough to be the first cause in the creation of a free will human, who can be the first cause to a very limited number of mental choices which do not negatively impact others.
You're the one limiting God's power to making only robotic type beings.

mkr said:

Hi Brother, Thank you.

I checked your wall, and I knew you write through the context of Asia. Yes, our culture and context is similar to what you said.

First of all, I see you are living at Philippians, the Fung Wong Typphoon is badly hitting right now? Are you safe? Our prayer is to the safety of people there.

To get back to the topic, I totally agree to what you said. Sharing the gospel to the first take or the first hearers are the best to share about Christ. While I was in Bible school back to many years ago, as practical class for requirements we used to share about Christ every Saturday. When we asked them "If they ever heard about Jesus?" They replied, "We never heard the person name, Jesus, if a thing or person or male or female?". Sharing about Christ to these people, challenge about life, witnessing, showing kindness is the great achievement we ever had sometimes. They willingly wanted to hear us. They expect the next visit.

Sometimes when we were sent to the wolves as a sheep, we have to be be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16). But sometimes the past missionaries did the wrong witnessing like they did as they wished and left with a bad reputation. Buddhist believers had idols or kind of worshipping at home. A missionary the past rented their home, and throwed their gods, as they considered their sacred god, at the street to bin. When they found out, they had some problems then chased him out of the village. A second time, a lady came to the village some years later. She act wisely, and taught their kids as preshool students, showed them kindness. Later, as she was also in a rent, she has some problem with the landlord, then had a mean to leave.

This village is another way that they don't like Christian that they did every kind of indirect way. Giving something with showing kindness is also considered that we persuaded them to become Christian. This is the biggest mistake that they did the past.

When I situated this village, they considered me as I would do the same. But to this day, I never give anyone but I tried to involved with community work like we are poor village, I helped them repaired the road, or help need of school tables or some other works. They acted weird before but when I slowly did some community works, they talked me or greet me.

As our country is in a bad situation, if they report in a bad way about me to destroy me, then military easily come to arrest or torture me. This is happening everywhere. So I am very carefully to take any step further. As far as the situation concerns, I need to show some kindness, like involving some help for the community, not to individual but a whole so that they knew our care, love and act of Christ. This required physical needs, but challenging my condition. I knew the Lord would do some transformation one day.

I would like to ask to pray for us. God bless you.

Click to expand...

Greetings mkr,
The utmost thanks to you for persevering in your preaching and ministry under such clearly difficult circumstances. You clearly have great courage and persistence, and you're showing the finest example of the mission tradition. In all ways. Including bringing the Gospel to those who need to hear it most, meeting both spiritual and material needs for a flock who clearly appreciates what you are bringing. It's not much I know, but we wish you the best and pray for your safety and bless you and all around you for what you are doing.

rambot said:

I wonder if the election of Biden could have possibly influenced what your seeing?

OF course it could.

A common enemy? As ruthlessly conniving and doting and inneffectual as he was Biden could be a GREAT target for a united Right. A right united to defeat Biden and a right that was willing to keep the uglies at bay for a while.


If Biden hadn't been elected, do you HONESTLY this particular portion of the timeline would STILL be happenning now.

The election of Biden CAUSED the delay in what we're seeing.




By the way, what is stopping Republicans from solving their problem here?

Click to expand...

But the Democratic candidate has played the role of "common enemy of the right-half factions" for the last few election cycles. That trend didn't start with Biden.

And we saw a similar sort of dynamic playing out in Trump's first run regarding that time he got an endorsement from David Duke, and then rather than rejecting that support, played the "I'm not familiar with David Duke" card. It didn't cause fracturing of the party after Trump won and the common enemy of Hillary was no longer "a threat".


What's different about this instance, is that Israel is involved, and people within the GOP are, for the first time, heavily divided on that issue.

It looks like it's about a 40/60 split on "We need need to stop supporting them" vs. "They're our greatest ally in the history of allies"

As where, among the GOP back in the lead up to 2016, a vast majority on-board with the latter. (the number of republicans that didn't support Israel back in that election was so miniscule that it wasn't even a blip on the radar)

"I don't want to support Israel, but I don't want my declination of support to cause me to be associated with the likes of that Nazi guy on the internet" wasn't a common occurrence in 2016.


Or to put it more succinctly, "I need to distance myself from that guy" wasn't a common need. Since most supported Israel, their support for Israel was the the thing that would separate them from a Fuentes or David Duke.

But now that it's a situation where 40% of them don't support Israel anymore, they're wondering how they can hold that position without being associated with those kinds of guys.

ChubbyCherub said:

Thanks all.

I think I misread this whole thread as the bible wasn't a trustworthy source for basically anything and I wanted to know a) why this was the case b) to what everyone was referring to if this is the case c) how this could help me and my family on our journey towards God d) how anyone could believe in God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit from a text that no one believes...........

It was a bit shocking but maybe that's because I misread/misunderstood the premise of the whole thread and I probably should have realized that when I saw that the bible was being quoted despite what I thought I understood.

@RamiC @Fervent @2PhiloVoid - thank you all for your patience and assistance.

It's good to know I have somewhere to go with questions because my family has very tough questions that someone who believes, due to a Christian background, isn't really in the habit of asking until challenged.

God bless you all and thanks so much.

Click to expand...

Inerrancy and the overall trustworthiness are too often tethered together as if they are the same, so it's understandable that you would be suspicious. It seems especially problematic if your only tether to the faith is the Bible, but the reality is that it is the historic witness that tethers us together. And by that I don't mean some mystical tradition that is beyond question but the ongoing transmission from generation of Christians to generation of Christians. We know the Bible is trustworthy because we see how it changes the lives of the people who put it into practice, and there are a number of ways to understand what the Bible is that are easily overlooked with how many people talk about these things.

The Liturgist said:

I can be full of one thing and hungry for another. The passions wrap around. But Christ is always satisfying.

Click to expand...

That is not exegetically sound. if he was speaking in metaphor, i could agree - however he was speaking literaly

The Liturgist said:

Of course I have - and St. Paul is using a classical rhetorical device

Click to expand...

There is no rhetorical in scripture -

The verses are literal, not metaphorical.

Paul literally made tents to supply his financial needs
Paul received monetary gifts to supply his needs

Paul knew what is was like to abound in finances and be abase (in need).

Either way he was content with what he had.

Larniavc said:

Hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucination. Really common. It’s not the spirits of our dead loved ones.

Click to expand...

When your father turns up the night he died, and apologises for the way he treated you, it's not a hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucination, esecially when i didn't even know he'd died. I didn't find out for another four days by normal human methods when one of my uncles turned up to tell me.

Incidentally the uncle was my mother's brother and it was his wife who died brushing her daughter's hair years before as related in my post above.

Secondly when our exchange had elements such as "What is this?? A dream or something??" to which my father replied "No, it's not a dream. I died tonight." And "It wasn't easy for me either you know and I never had a chance to see anything like this!"

To which I replied "I know it wasn't easy! I knew that by the time I was twelve."

It was no hallucination, and his departing scream just before he disappeared again was terrifying. Something was coming for him. I think he's in hell personally.

You weren't there to see it, were you?

He also said "You'll become a Christian" as I was an atheist at the time. And "You'll meet a pastor. You'll think he's great, but all he'll do is discourage you even more!"

I met the pastor shortly after I became Christian in late 1982, and before I left his church in 1991 as I got married and moved away (he died himself in 1992) he apologised to me. I asked him what he was apologising for and he said "You needed encouragement but all I've done is to discourage you even more".

I'd often told him about my father's apparition and pointed out he'd just quoted my "dead" father back to me word for word.

You can shove your arrogance and your "Hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucination". You think you know it all because you've read a bit about psychology.

How wrong you are!

As you'll eventually find out.

rambot said:

Sorry. I'm fairly certain much of this is laid out for Judaism as well.

Click to expand...

To the same degree?

Keeping in mind, Muhammed himself was a political leader with territorial ambitions.

And the integration of the two concepts (religion and politics) was there right from the get go.

Along with prescriptions for how to infiltrate and overtake new territories, and govern them (including what to do with non-Believers who were already there)

For example, the dhimmi status. Where in a Muslim conquered territory, "people of the book" could be allowed to maintain their religion in exchange for a fee/tax known as jizya.

Vanellus said:

A lay preacher I had a lot of time for as a young Christian told me a basic principle: "The OT is in the NT revealed, the NT is in the OT concealed). And I've been thinking there is a warning here not to take the OT as normative without reference to the OT. A good example is why Christians believe that the system of OT sacrifices of animals don't apply to the Church today.

But I wonder if there are not more examples. Now I know some Christians make a lot of

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 5:17-20

But, in Jesus' day, those commandments would include the commandments for animal sacrifices that were still being done in Jesus' time.

Another aspect of the OT is there's a lot of wars and killing. If Israel was successful on the battlefield (i.e. killed lots of people) then that meant God was blessing them and vice versa. When Jericho fell we read:

They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. Josh 6:21
The donkeys might lead them into idolatry! Everyone seems to include babies.

David is praised not so much for his poetry but for killing lots of people. Joshua holds up Moses' arms so the Israelites can kill lots of Amalekites:
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Ex 17:10-13

And there are many more examples in the OT. Not exactly blessed are the peacemakers or turning the other cheek. So I think we need to be very careful about drawing moral lessons for Christian behaviour from things that were done in the OT narratives or history books. Reference should always be made to the relevant teaching in the NT and we should interpret the OT in the light of the NT not vice versa. So hopefully any donkeys that might stray into a church in the next few weeks will be safe.

Click to expand...

According to our risen Lord, God and Savior in the closing paragraphs of the Resurrection Gospel in Luke ch. 24 the Old Testament is Christological prophecy. That should be how we interpret it.

FredVB said:

But there was real repentance, that is essential.

Click to expand...

The thief spoke truthfully, that he was a thief deserving his fate. the second time he spoke, and asked Jesus to remember him

Honesty in the face of God seemingly went a long way

I’m really surprised, to be honest.

Welcome!

bob121 said:

ViaCrucis, thank you for painting the altar-side scene—“Mt. Calvary present here and now” is exactly the kind of threshold moment I was hoping to collect.
I’ll happily let the mods shuffle the thread if they wish; in the meantime, keep the pictures coming, everyone—sounds, smells, sights, or silent heart-flips that tell you, “I’m on holy ground.”

Click to expand...

I would add removing one’s shoes in a Coptic or Ethiopian Orthodox parish.

durangodawood said:

You arent even on the playing field when you just do an AI dump. Thats more like sending in an autonomous drone you bought off the shelf.

As for public intellectuals (real or pretend), I find zero inherent value in leveling the playing field by any other method than study and practice. It should be human mind vs human mind. Study could well include AI help. But on "the playing field" I want a sense you are there, and not some surrogate whos methods you may not even grasp.


Im fine with you using AI as a study tool to direct you to various sources you can examine and assimilate.

But just a dump of AI generated text has no interest for me. Theres no sense Im arguing with you there.

Click to expand...

Why is it okay to copy and paste some article from a source that leans left, or right but it's not okay to use AI?
Either way is dialing it in but I don't see anyone complaining about copy and paste jobs as long as a source is given

Valletta said:

Some liberals are acknowledging Trump's successes:

Charlie Sheen Blasts His Father Martin Sheen for Attacking Trump Right After He Brokered Gaza Peace Deal

Actor Charlie Sheen said his father's criticism of President Donald Trump was poorly timed because the "West Wing" star's attack came on the same day that Trump was the toast of the world due to his Gaza peace deal.

www.breitbart.com

Click to expand...

Please answer the question.

jacorian said:

Let me just also mention that a few years back we had a couple of youngsters in the school who identified as cats. Rather than the principal getting on the phone to the parent, the administration proceeded to secure litter boxes & placed them in the school.

Click to expand...

Last I heard, this was an urban legend. What school was this, when did it happen, and what is your source?

BryanJohnMaloney said:

They took control of those corporations at that time? I was not aware of that. Socialism is the control of the means of production and commerce by the state.

Click to expand...

It is also taxing the people and giving money to they feel need it. Giving corporations tax money is socialistic, just as medicade, etc.. is.

AstralHammer said:

I'll join. If it turns out not for me, then that's ok. I wont know til I try.

Click to expand...

sounds good what's your discord, even if it doesn't work i'd like to game with other believers, even if me and you started a christian group

Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are the God who restores. You see the wounds of our hearts, the losses we have endured, and the seasons that felt stripped bare. Yet You promise that nothing is wasted in Your hands. Thank You for being faithful to redeem what was taken and for reminding me that restoration is not only possible, but certain in Your timing. May this devotional be a reminder that You are the Potter, shaping me into a vessel of honor, and that my latter days can be greater than my beginning. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Devotional Message
Key Verse: “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10 (NKJV)
Job’s story is one of profound loss and miraculous restoration. He lost his possessions, his family, his health, and even the support of those closest to him. Yet when he prayed for his friends, God restored him. His wealth was doubled, his family renewed, and his latter days were blessed more than his beginning. Job’s testimony became a witness of God’s faithfulness across generations, showing that restoration often comes after obedience and forgiveness.

Joel’s prophecy echoes this truth: “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” (Joel 2:25 NKJV).

God’s promise is that what feels wasted will never remain wasted in His hands. He redeems time, fruitfulness, and dignity. Restoration is not only about material things but about peace, joy, and testimony being renewed.

Jeremiah 30:17 assures us: “For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the Lord. (NKJV). His restoration touches every part of our lives - body, mind, soul and spirit.

When I read Job 42:10, I sensed God confirming to me that, He is working on my behalf to restore what was stolen. Just as Job’s restoration followed forgiveness and prayer, my act of forgiving those who wronged me has opened the door for renewal. The “doubling” may not always be material, but it will be seen in spiritual fruit, ministry impact, and the quiet dignity of restoration. God’s reassurance is like a steady anchor. Even when circumstances feel uncertain, His promises remain unshaken.
Scripture confirms this promise across generations: God restores time and seasons lost (Joel 2:25 NKJV), health and dignity (Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV), and gives a double portion of honor and joy (Isaiah 61:7 NKJV). He restores joy, strength, and peace (Psalm 51:12 NKJV; 1 Peter 5:10 NKJV), and rebuilds what was ruined, bringing new beginnings (Amos 9:14 NKJV; Isaiah 43:19 NKJV). Undoubtedly, the latter days can be greater than the beginning, and what was consumed will be redeemed for His glory. Restoration is God’s work, not mine; forgiveness and obedience unlock blessing, and my testimony - like Job’s - will echo His faithfulness.

And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10 (NKJV)

Meaning: Job’s restoration began with forgiveness. His willingness to pray for his friends - the very ones who had misunderstood and accused him - revealed humility and obedience. God honored this posture by restoring him abundantly. This shows us that restoration is not triggered by demanding justice or clinging to bitterness, but by surrendering to God’s way of mercy.

Application: Forgiveness is often the hardest step, yet it is the key that unlocks renewal. When I intercede for others, even those who hurt me, I align myself with God’s heart. My prayers become seeds of blessing, and God’s favor flows into my life. Restoration begins when I let go of resentment and choose obedience.

Affirmation: I choose forgiveness and prayer, knowing that God’s restoration flows through humility. My obedience opens the door for His blessing, and my prayers for others invite His renewal into my own journey.

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” Joel 2:25 (NKJV)

Meaning: The locusts symbolize destruction, wasted time, and fruitfulness consumed. God’s promise is that even years stripped bare by pain or emptiness can be redeemed. He is Lord over time itself, able to restore dignity, fruitfulness, and joy.

Application: I can trust that no season of my life is wasted. Even the barren years are woven into God’s plan of redemption. What felt consumed will be renewed, whether through ministry impact, fresh opportunities, or renewed joy. His timing redeems what seemed lost forever.

Affirmation: I believe God is redeeming my lost seasons. What was consumed will be returned in abundance, and my testimony will shine with His faithfulness.

“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17 (NKJV)

Meaning: God’s restoration is holistic. He heals physical wounds, emotional scars, and spiritual weariness. His renewal touches every part of life, bringing wholeness where brokenness once reigned. Restoration is not partial - it is complete healing.

Application: In weakness, I can cling to His promise of healing. Whether I face physical pain, emotional scars, or spiritual fatigue, God’s restoration brings wholeness. His healing is both present and eternal, renewing me daily and preparing me for eternity.

Affirmation: My health, joy, and peace are being restored by the Lord’s faithful hand. I am being renewed from the inside out, and His healing is my testimony.

“Instead of your shame you shall have double honor… everlasting joy shall be theirs.” Isaiah 61:7 (NKJV)

Meaning: God replaces shame with honor and sorrow with joy. His blessings exceed losses, showing His abundant grace. Restoration is not equal exchange but overflowing abundance. Where shame once defined me, dignity now reigns.

Application: Even when I feel diminished or overlooked, God promises to lift me up. His restoration is abundant, replacing shame with dignity and sorrow with joy. He does not simply balance the scales - He pours out double honor.

Affirmation: I rejoice in the portion God has given me. My shame is replaced with honor, and His joy is everlasting in my life.

“Behold, I will do a new thing… I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)

Meaning: God’s restoration is creative and surprising. He brings life where there was barrenness and makes a way where there was no way. His new beginnings spring forth in unexpected places, proving His power to transform desolation into abundance.

Application: I can expect renewal even in desolate places. His restoration is not limited by my circumstances; He creates rivers in deserts and paths in wilderness. What feels impossible becomes possible in His hands.

Affirmation: God is making a way in my wilderness. He is bringing new beginnings, and His rivers of life are flowing into my desert places.

Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your promises of restoration. You are faithful to redeem what was lost, heal what was broken, and multiply what was diminished. Teach me to walk in forgiveness, obedience, and trust, knowing that Your timing is perfect.
May my testimony, like Job’s, echo with hope and encouragement for others. Strengthen me with peace, dignity, and joy as You unfold new beginnings in my life. Anchor me in Your reassurance and let my life shine as a vessel of Your Word, Spirit, and love. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen

Journalizing Questions to Ponder
1. What losses in my life do I need to trust God to restore?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. How does forgiveness open the door to renewal in my journey?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Which scripture on restoration speaks most deeply to my current season?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. How can I testify of God’s faithfulness even before restoration is complete?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What new beginnings might God be preparing in areas that feel barren?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To the Holy Spirit
Thank You for guiding every word, guarding every step, and glorifying Jesus through it all. All glory, honor, praise and worship goes to
God Almighty, for He alone is worthy to receive it all.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Scripture Acknowledgement: All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version® (NKJV). Used with permission.
All rights reserved. Special thanks to Bible Gateway for providing accessible, searchable Scripture resources that support devotional
writing and spiritual study.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
May these words echo grace, healing, and truth wherever they are read.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bro.T said:

Most people today are under Roman Christianity faith. All have sinned (broken the law...Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (I John 3:4) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). When Jesus (the true Lamb of God) was sacrificed, he removed our past sins. If we accept Jesus as our sin offering, we are required to repent and get baptized IN THE NAME OF JESUS ("there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved..."(Acts 4: 12). This is our last chance Brothers and Sister.

To repent means to turn from our sinful ways and start obeying God's law. The water baptism signifies the washing away of our past sins. After repenting and being baptized in the name of Jesus it would be foolish for us to turn around and willingly break God's commandments. If we make an honest mistake Jesus can help us, but if we sin willingly, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, look out! "...there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation..." (Hebrews 10:26-27).

When Jesus died, only the sacrificial law was done away with, alone with Leviticus priesthood. We still must obey all of God's laws and statues of conduct, from the ten commandments to the least commandment. We cannot choose to obey one without obeying the others. For instance, if it's still good to pay tithes (as many preach), then it is still good to obey God's dietary law (not eating pork, catfish, etc...Leviticus 11:1-47). Similarly, you cannot purposely trip a blind person (Leviticus 19:14) and claim to love your neighbor as yourself. Neither can you break God's Sabbath days (Leviticus 19:30) and claim to love God with all your heart, soul and mind.

Many fight to uphold man's traditional holidays (Sunday the 1st day as the Sabbath, Christmas, Easter and Halloween), but few are obeying God's Holy Days (Saturday the 7th day Sabbath, the Passover, Pentecost, etc...Leviticus 23:1-44). All of God's laws are still good and must be obeyed if we want eternal life. We might not be able to observe everything perfectly, but can fight a good fight. Paul said in (1 Cor. 9:24-27) (v.24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (v.25) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible. Paul says that when you run in a race every body is running for a prize. But this prize that he is referring to is eternal life, that’s what he means by an incorruptible, he’s talking about an incorruptible body, a heavenly body. (v.26) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly, so fight, not as one that beateth the air: (v.27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

You see Paul knew exactly what was going on that why he says he has to bring his body under subjection. Under subjection to what? To God’s Law, Paul knew that if he didn’t continue to keep Gods law that even after he had preached to many that he himself could still become a castaway. If we do this our prize awaits us at the end. "...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17).

Click to expand...

Quite preachy, don’t you think? It does not add to your credibility. So you reject the Spirit In favor of the law? Do you not see your folly?

“And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Christ nailed the law to the cross. It’s really that simple. Tell you what, you actually address my post and I’ll give you the gift to show you why and for what purpose the law was established as Paul explains in Romans 3:31.

Gene2memE said:

Elephants aren't unique to Africa. There's also the Asian elephant.

Elephants also had a huge range historically. The Asian elephant has a historical range that ran from the southern fringes of the Middle East all the way through the Indian subcontinent and across to Eastern China and Southeast Asia.

The ancestor species of African elephants were spread even more broadly. Remains have been discovered across the entirety of the Eurasian land mass and parts of North America.

Click to expand...

Yes some animals are found in more than one place. But usually only in a few specific places due to a similar environment. I think there is another species of Kangaroo besides in Australia as well.

But the point is however they ended up in their locations it was either more suitable or they adapted to survive in those locations. Or maybe some of the species have evolved in those locations that were not there before.

If they all originated from one location then an elephant for example is only going to migrate to environments where it will survive. Its not going to be the desert or mainland US. Though this may have been the case around the last iceage when mammoths roamed the northern hemisphere.

But even back then when the mega creatures ruled there were giant kangaroos and wombats roaming Australia.

I am not sure where the kangaroo for example came from before it landed in Australia. But it would have still needed the same sort of environment as it does in Australia. It would not have survived the cold winters of Britain and Europe. Maybe around north Africa somewhere.

But if the sea levels were much lower then there would have been many land bridges. The same for the Aboriginals. They would have had to have migrated down from around north Africa and the middle east somewhere. I think through Asia and Papua New Guinea as there was a land bridge.