I got a call today after saying my name this man said when i put in for a loan i mentioned i had a credit card balance of $3,000. Is this correct? I said no, That's not correct. I'm sure this isn't the correct wording but the jist of it . He then hung up. I couldn't help thinking i had just given him some info i shouldn't have . I shouldn't have confirmed anything. The number was 1-209-406-4902. BEWARE

The protesters stop traffic, blocking off ambulances and other vital services that can cost lives, besides threatening Jews with genocide.

At the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG), a plant that most people will never see flower has sprouted its azure blooms for the first time in over 10 years.

This incredibly rare event has turned the plant, a bromeliad called Puya alpestris into a “sapphire tower.”

Native to the Chilean Andes at altitudes above 6,000 feet, P. alpestris is a distant relative of the pineapple. Brought to the Arid Glasshouse at the BBG almost 20 years ago, this is the first time the plant has flowered.

It isn’t an endangered species, but the flowering of the specimen at the BBG is allowing botanists to hand-pollinate other members by gently tapping the stamens with a paintbrush.

In the wild, the plant relies on hummingbirds to pollinate it, who come to feast on the sapphire tower’s nectar-rich flowers.

Continued below.

A pandemic among frogs has been going on worldwide for years—the culprit: a fungal infection that has affected amphibians on nearly every continent.

But now, the discovery of a virus that has evolved to replicate inside this fungus could be the key to saving nearly 500 species of frogs that have experienced declines due to this amphibian pandemic.

Viruses are the smallest organisms we know about, and researchers at Univ. of California, Riverside weren’t out looking for one when they found it embedded in the fungus DNA.

The fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Bd, wasn’t prevalent until the late 1990s, when suddenly frogs just started dropping dead all over the world.

“We wanted to see how different strains of fungus differ in places like Africa, Brazil, and the U.S., just like people study different strains of COVID-19,” said UCR microbiology professor Jason Stajich.


To do this, Stajich and colleagues used DNA sequencing technology. As they examined the data, they noticed some sequences that did not match the DNA of the fungus.

Continued below.

I posted about my mom's health before, but recently it's become even more worrying, physically and mentally. Please keep her in your prayers, thank you.

Why are you angry?
Why does your heart burn?
Why disappointed
With how life does turn?

Who has appointed you,
Put you in charge?
Why are you angry
With what is at large?

Who made you God
To determine all things?
You’re just a human,
Created being.

God is Creator,
The One Who’s in charge,
He is the One who
Determines “at large.”

Put your trust in Him,
Submit to His will,
Obey Him freely,
Live not for a thrill.

Turn from your sins and
Give your life to God.
Love Him, in truth, and
Not in a façade.

Walk with Him daily,
In His righteousness.
Serve Him with your life
And you will be blessed.

An Original Work / April 23, 2024

The Lord Jesus gives me poems to write, and I don't always know what they mean immediately. So I looked up the term "at large" to see what it meant, and it means "freedom" or "at liberty." And as I contemplated how that fits with the other words in this poem, which to me sounded a bit like some of God's conversations with Job (in the Bible in the book of Job), I realized that this poem is about someone questioning God's definition of what it means to be "free in Christ." For God defines "free in Christ" as freedom from slavery to sin and empowerment of the Spirit to walk now in holiness and in righteousness and in walks of obedience to our Lord and to his commands.

But so many people today are defining "free in Christ" solely as freedom from the punishment of sin and as a guarantee of heaven when they die, regardless of how they live. And so some of them get angry when they hear that we are not just free from the punishment of sin, but we must live as those who are set free from our slavery to sin in walks of holiness and righteousness and in obedience to our Lord if we want God-gifted salvation from sin and eternal life with God. For the Scriptures teach that if sin is what we practice, and not obedience to God, we will not inherit eternal life with God.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

Pray that Christians take a More Compassionate & Gracious approach (like XXXchurch | Find Freedom from Pornography Addiction Christian ministry ) to fighting inappropriate public sex-related activities, festivals & celebrations:

The fate of Korea's 'first and biggest' sex festival

I was suspicious of this guy right from the get-go; now it appears that he was up to his ears in collusion with the Communist Chinese to deceive the entire world.

I hope they throw every book in the law library at him.

Fauci Funded Virus Research At Wuhan Which Would Leave No Trace Of ‘Human Manipulation’​

MSN

Look, I understand you have to add dialogue and take a few creative liberties, but altering events that happened in the Gospels is especially wrong, and its happened a few times. One of the episodes that particularly stuck out to me was when Jesus was talking to the crowd (before Rayma, if I'm spelling that right, died) he talked about how Pharisees clean plates for keeping clean and him basically telling them off. But, that's not how it happened in the Gospels. I forgot where it is, but it says that Jesus was sharing dinner with them. Not preaching to them in a crowd! (Even though he's done that in the past.) I just don't feel comfortable about watching it anymore. Especially with the actor of Jesus being kind of crazy. (Doing a documentry about himself and sponsoring the Hallow app.)
Anyway. I just wanted to know some of the community's thoughts on this. Thanks!

I personally love 2000s Christian and a few other decades. Bethany Dillon, Jars of Clay, Nichole Nordeman, Jaci Velasquez, Susan Ashton, Rich Mullins and a whole lot more!

Are there any Christian Fallout fans out there?

Update on Baltimore Bridge collapse. It appears that the ship which collided with the Baltimore bridge may have not been up to standards to travel the oceans. I know nothing about seaworthiness, but negligence of both the crew, and vessel maintenance could have played a role in the accident. Article link: Baltimore bridge collapse: city says ship was ‘unseaworthy’ before leaving port


Court document: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mdd.556480/gov.uscourts.mdd.556480.17.0.pdf

Short summary of the open-access article by The Guardian (<20% in length, for fair usage reasons):

In The Guardian article by Coral Murphy Marcos, published April 23, 2024, the city of Baltimore has filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of the container ship, Dali, that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, resulting in the death of six construction workers and significant damage. The lawsuit accuses Grace Ocean Private Ltd and Synergy Marine Group of negligence and incompetence, alleging that the ship had an unseaworthy condition with inconsistent power supply alarms and an incompetent crew. The city is seeking damages to cover the costs of bridge replacement, interruptions in transportation, increased public service expenditures, and other expenses related to the disaster. The case is ongoing with a federal court deciding on liability and potential damages. The FBI and National Transportation Safety Board are conducting investigations into the cause of the bridge collapse. Six workers, originally from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador, lost their lives during the incident.

Please find attached: "A_Second_Temple_in_Egypt_The_Evidence_fo.pdf" downloaded from Accademia.com

You may download and read for yourself.

Instructions:
Download (click on attachment), read, discuss. Repeat as necessary.

My prayers go out to the victims and victims' family members of a DC-4 plane crash in Alaska, and for the accident investigators to determine the cause of the crash. At least the plane was not carrying passengers, but still, two deaths is sad.


Article: Plane crashes into river in Alaska, officials say

Direct quote: "A Douglas DC-4 airplane crashed into the Tanana River near Fairbanks on Tuesday and burst into flames, authorities said. No survivors have been found, Alaska state troopers said."

I had made a post on reddit, I was ranting about aging. Anyways, this is what I got in return, won't show whole original post.

Sins which Spoil Christian Brotherhood and Civil Neighbourhood. (From John Bunyan's "Christian Behavior" 1674)​

Now then, before I go any farther, I will here take an occasion to touch a little upon those sins that are so rife in many professors in this day: and they are, covetousness, pride, and uncleanness. I would speak a word to them in this place, the rather because they are they which spoil both Christian brotherhood, and civil neighbourhood, in too great a measure.

First, of Covetousness.​

1. Covetousness: it is all one with desire; he that desires, covets, whether the thing he desires be evil or good. Wherefore that which is called coveting in Exodus 20:17 is called desire in Deuteronomy 5:21. As the apostle also saith, “I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet” (Rom 7:7). That is, I had not known lust to be a sin, unless the law had forbid it. Wherefore, though lawful desires are good (1Co 12:31), and to be commended, yet covetousness, as commonly understood, is to be fled from, and abhorred, as of the devil.

2. Covetousness, or evil desire: it is the first mover, and giveth to every sin its call, as I may say, both to move and act. As was said before, the apostle had not known sin, except the law had said, Thou shalt not desire or covet; for where there is no desire to sin, there appears no sin.

3. Therefore covetousness carrieth in it every sin—we speak of sins against the second table—even as a serpent carrieth her young ones in her belly. This the Scripture affirms, where it saith, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s” (Exo 20:17). Covetousness will meddle with anything.

Now, there are in my mind at present these eight notes of covetousness, which hinder good works, and a Christian conversation among men, wherever they are harboured.

(1.) When men to whom God hath given a comfortable livelihood are yet not content therewith. This is against the apostle where he saith, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5).

(2.) It is covetousness in the seller that puts him to say of his traffic, it is better than it is, that he may heighten the price of it; and covetousness in the buyer that prompts him to say worse of a thing than he thinks in his conscience it is, and that for an abatement of a reasonable price. This is that which the apostle forbids under the name of defraud (1Co 6:8), and that which Solomon condemns (Pro 20:14).

(3.) It is through covetousness that men think much of that which goeth beside their own mouth, though possibly it goeth to those that have more need than themselves, and also that better deserve it than they.

(4.) It argueth covetousness when men will deprive themselves and those under them of the privileges of the gospel for more of this world, and is condemned by Christ (Luk 14:18-20).

(5.) It argueth covetousness when men that have it can go by, or hear of the poor, and shut up their bowels and compassions from them (1Joh 3:17).

(6.) Also when men are convinced it is their duty to communicate to such and such that have need, yet they defer it; and if not quite forget it, yet linger away the time as being loth to distribute to the necessities of those in want. This is forbidden by the Holy Ghost: “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it” (Pro 3:27). Now, it is due from thee to the poor by the commandment of God if they want and thou hast it. “Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee” (Pro 3: 28).

(7.) It argueth a greedy mind also when, after men have cast in their minds what to give, they then from that will be pinching and clipping, and taking away; whereas the Holy Ghost saith, “Every man according as he purposeth in his
heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2Co 9:7).

(8.) And lastly, it argueth a filthy greedy heart also when a man, after he hath done any good, then in his heart to repent and secretly wish that he had not so done, or at least, that he had not done so much: this is to be weary of well-doing; (I speak now of communicating,) and carrieth in it two evils. First, it spoileth the work done. And, secondly, it, if entertained, spoileth the heart for doing any more so. “The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful,” for “the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand” (Isa 32:5, 8).

Now then, to dissuade all from this poisonous sin, observe that above all sins in the New Testament, this is called idolatry (Eph 5:5; Col 3:5). And therefore God’s people should be so far from being taken with it that they should be much afraid of the naming of it one among another, lest it should, as adulterous thoughts, infect the heart by the talking of it (Eph 5:3).

Question​

But why is covetousness called idolatry?

Answer​

1. Because it engageth the very heart of man in it to mind earthly things. It gets our love, which should be set on God, and sets it upon poor empty creatures. It puts our affections out of heaven, where they should be, and sets them on earth, where they should not be (Eze 33:31; Phi 3:18-19; Col 3:1-3). Thus it changeth the object on which the heart should be set and setteth it on that on which it should not. It makes a man forsake God, “the fountain of living waters,” and causeth him to hew to himself “cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water” (Jer 2:13).

For, 2. it rejecteth the care, government, and providence of God towards us, and causeth us to make of our care and industry a god to whom, instead of God, we fly continually, both for the keeping what we have and for getting more. This was Israel’s idolatry of old, and the original of all her idolatrous practices. “For their mother hath played the harlot,” that is, committed idolatry: “she that conceived them hath done shamefully; for she said, I will go after my lovers, that gave me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink” (Hos 2:5).

3. It disalloweth of God’s way of disposing His creatures, and would have them ordered and disposed of otherwise than His heavenly wisdom seemeth meet; and hence ariseth all discontents about God’s dealing with us. Covetousness never yet said, It is the Lord; let him do what he pleaseth; but is ever objecting, like a god, against everything that goeth against it. And it is that which, like a god, draweth away the heart and soul from the true God and His Son Jesus Christ. “He went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Mat 19:22). Now then, that which engageth the heart, that rejecteth the providence of God, and that is for ordering and disposing of things contrary to God, and for breaking with God upon these terms, is idolatry; and all these do covetousness. “The wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth” (Psa 10:3). Now the way to remedy this disease is to learn the lesson which Paul had got by heart, to wit, “In whatsoever state” you are, “therewith to be content” (Phi 4:11).

Second, of Pride.​

I come in the second place to speak a word of pride, and loftiness of heart and life.

1. Pride, in general, it is that which causeth a man to think of man and his things above what is written (1Cor 4:6).

2. It hath its seat in the heart among these enormities: fornications, adulteries, lasciviousness, murders, deceit, and so forth (Mar 7:21-23), and showeth itself in these following particulars:

(1.) When you slight this or that person, though gracious—that is, look over them and shun them for their poverty in this world—and choose rather to have converse with others that possibly are less gracious because of their greatness in this world. This the Apostle James writes against (Jam 2:1-3), under the name of partiality; for indeed the fruits of a puffed-up heart is to deal in this manner with Christians (1Co 4:6-7). Now this branch of pride floweth from ignorance of the vanity of the creature and of the worth of a gracious heart. Wherefore get more of the knowledge of these two, and this sprig will be nipped in the head, and you will learn to condescend to men of low degree (Rom 12:16).

(2.) It argues pride of heart when men will not deny themselves in things that they may for the good and profit of their neighbours. And it argueth now that pride has got so much up into self-love and self-pleasing that they little care who they grieve or offend, so they may have their way (Oba 12-15).

(3.) It argueth pride of heart when sober reproofs for sin and unbeseeming carriages will not down with thee, but that rather thou snuffest, and givest way to thy spirit to be peevish, and to retain prejudice against those that thus reprove thee. Saith the prophet, “Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken”; that is, hear the reproofs of God for your sins, and break them off by repentance—“But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride” (Jer 13:15, 17). So also in Hosea: “They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not know the LORD. And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face” (Hos 5:4-5). This argueth great senselessness of God, and a heart greatly out of frame.

(4.) It argueth pride also, when a reproof or admonition will not down as well from the poorest saint as from the greatest doctor; and it argueth a glory in men (1Co 3:21), and that they would that their faith should stand in their wisdom and not in the “power of God,” that is, of naked truth (1Co 2:5).

(5.) It argueth pride of heart when a man that hath this or that in his heart to do in reference to God, but yet will slight a sober asking counsel and direction of God in this matter: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God,” saith David (Psa 10:4).

(6.) It argueth pride of heart when persons are tickled with thoughts of their own praise, that secretly lust after it, that think of themselves and others above what is written; which those do who do not acknowledge that man in his best
estate is altogether vanity (Psa 39:5). But such kind of people have forgot the exhortation, “Be not highminded, but fear” (Rom 11:20). And also, that there is a knowledge that puffeth up, and edifieth neither themselves nor others (1Co 8:1-2). Wherefore, to such the apostle saith, Be not “desirous of vain glory,” “but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Gal 5:26; Phi 2:3).

Pride also there is in outward carriage, behaviour, and gesture, which is odious for Christians to be tainted with; and this pride is discovered by mincing words, a made carriage, and an affecting the toys and baubles that Satan and every lightheaded fool bringeth into the world. As God speaketh of the daughters of Zion, they “walk with stretched forth necks, and wanton eyes…mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet” (Isa 3:16). A very unhandsome carriage for a people that profess godliness, and that use to come before God to confess their sins, and to bemoan themselves for what they have done. How can a sense of thy own baseness, of the vileness of thy heart, and of the holiness of God, stand with such a carriage? Dost thou see the vileness of thy heart, the fruit of sin? And art thou afflicted with that disagreement that is between God and thy heart, that layest the reins on the neck of thy lusts, and lettest them run whither they will? Be not deceived; pride ariseth from ignorance of these things (1Ti 6:3-4). A sense of my vileness, of what I have deserved, and of what continually in my heart opposeth God, cannot stand with a foolish, light, and wanton carriage: thou wilt then see there are other things to mind than to imitate the butterfly. Alas, all these kind of things are but a painting the devil, and a setting a carnal gloss upon a castle of his. Thou art but making gay the spider: is thy heart ever the sounder for thy fine gait, thy mincing words, and thy lofty looks? Nay, doth not this argue that thy heart is a rotten, cankered, and besotted heart? Oh! That God would but let thee see a little of thy own inside as thou hast others to behold thy outside. Thou painted sepulchre, thou whited wall, will these things be found virtues in the day of God? Or, is this the way that thou takest to mortify sin? “An high look, and a proud heart, the plowing of the wicked, is sin” (Pro 21:4). Pride is the ringleader of the seven abominations that the wise man nameth (Pro 6:16-17), and is that above all that causeth to fall into the condemnation of the devil (1Ti 3:6).

​

(I notice N. Korea seems to be coming up with a lot of diversified stuff since collaborating with Russia and shipping weapons to them...
but of course, you know - nothing is really going on.)

SEOUL, April 23 (Reuters) - North Korea carried out its first nuclear counterattack drills to simulate its "nuclear trigger" management system, guided by leader Kim Jong Un, as a clear warning to its enemies, state news agency KCNA said on Tuesday.
North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles on Monday toward the sea off its east coast, South Korea's military said.
As part of testing the nationwide nuclear management system, called "nuclear trigger", its artillery forces joined the country's first such drills on Monday in a show of diversified nuclear capabilities and protest against U.S. and South Korean "provocative and invasive" military exercises, KCNA reported.
Kim oversaw the simulation drills involving maneuvering troops in nuclear counterattack posture, and firing artillery with mock nuclear warheads, in case nuclear crisis alerts were issued, according to KCNA.
Kim highly praised the readiness of "the world's best" tactical nuclear attack weapons, expressing satisfaction with the drills, state media said.
The reclusive state is believed to be preparing to launch another spy satellite, after successfully putting a reconnaissance satellite in orbit in November.
North Korea said last week that it had fired a strategic cruise missile to test a large warhead, and a new anti-aircraft missile.


Also,

North Korea tests missile arsenal, has date circled on calendar for more possible provocations, experts say​

North Korea has test-fired nuclear-capable missiles designed to hit South Korea, Japan and the mainland US​

North Korea launched suspected short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Monday, South Korean officials said.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the weapons were launched near Pyongyang and flew approximately 185 miles before falling in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The launches came amid speculation that North Korea could soon launch a banned satellite into orbit, potentially on the April 25 founding anniversary of what became the North’s military.

The ranges of Monday’s missiles suggest the weapons could likely target sites in South Korea, prompting stern words from Seoul. There were no immediate reports of damage.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff strongly condemned the launches, saying they were a "clear provocation" that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula. The office said it maintains readiness to "overwhelmingly" retaliate against North Korean provocations.

Neighboring Japan also confirmed the launch of "at least one ballistic missile."

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile that flew 155 miles at a maximum altitude of about 30 miles. He also said the missile tests threaten the peace and safety of Japan, the region and the international community.

North Korea in recent months has continued to accelerate its weapons testing to expand its arsenal and military capabilities.

KIM JONG UN PROMISES 'DEATH BLOW' TO POTENTIAL ENEMIES, IGNORES BIDEN'S REQUEST FOR COOPERATION

The launch on Monday completed its recent trifecta of missile tests, including long-range, medium-range and short-range flights.

On Saturday, North Korea said that it tested a "super-large" cruise missile warhead and a new anti-aircraft missile last week. In early April, North Korea also test-launched what it called a solid-fuel intermediate-range missile with hypersonic warhead capabilities, a weapon that experts predicted could hit targets in the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam and beyond.

North Korea has test-fired nuclear-capable missiles designed to strike sites in South Korea, Japan and the mainland U.S. in past years as it pursues the development of nuclear weapons.

(SUPER LARGE! McDonalds Missiles??? LoL)



This is the culprit: the SUPER LARGE cruise missile.

Acts 2:37-43
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."

1. "What shall we do?" The people had just heard Peters "Pentecostal Sermon" recorded in Acts 2:14-36. They were pricked in their heart, meaning they were pierced, had sharp pain of mind, were agitated, especially with the emotion of sorrow. That's the meaning of that big Greek word used there "katanyssomai" In other words, great conviction came up on them.
2. Peter immediately answers, Repent and be baptized. a] Repent: No beating around the bush. No sweet words tickling itching ears. Just like John the Baptist, and Jesus in the beginning of their ministries, the word is Repent! Turn from sin and turn to God. Do a 180. Repent in both mind and body. It's a changing of your mind that results in a change of your actions, or your behaviors, even your entire lifestyle. the drunk quits getting drunk. The fornicator goes celibate or gets married, the cusser cleans up his or her language. the Rocker gets rid of their satanic music. b] Be baptized. One should be baptized as soon as possible after conversion. It's an outward confession of your inward profession, and is a death and resurrection, out with the old, in with the new.
3. Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will be with you and be in you (John 14:16-18), which is Jesus Christ in you, and thus ye are born again: born of the Spirit (John 3:5-7), and like the wind, you cannot see it, but you will see its effect, and you will feel its effects upon you and in you. You'll be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2)
4. The promise is for those who heard, and their children, and for those afar off: as many as the Lord God should call.
5. With many other words he testified and exhorted. There was a lengthy sermon here. There was a continued preaching beyond what is recorded. It was not some simple invitation to pray a prayer and "get saved" - "With many other words" indicates much more preaching was done on top of Acts 2:14-36. That sermon, again, Peters famous Pentecostal Sermon includes:

a) The prophecy of Joel regarding the pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh.
b) Jesus miracles done among the people.
c) Jesus being delivered up to be slain
d) The resurrection
e) The prophecy of David in the Psalms concerning the resurrection
f) The Apostles witness to the resurrection
g) Christ being exalted to the right hand of God
h) The Lordship of Christ
i) And on top of all this, with many other words of testimony and exhortation

6) To save yourselves from this untoward generation. That is, Perverse, wicked, the Greek word "skolios" -crooked, forward, warped.
7) They that gladly received the Word. 1 Thessalonians 1:16 says, "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." It implies there were some that did not gladly receive the word. Acts 13:48 says, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed"
8) There were added unto them about 3000 souls. the Word truly
preached under the anointing of the Holy Spirit will draw those who
are chosen, or ordained to eternal life. People will come.
9) They continued stedfastly in,
a] The Apostles doctrine
b] fellowship
c] The breaking of bread
d] prayers
That is, the solid doctrine handed down by Jesus personally to the Apostles, and
the Holy Spirit bringing all things to their remembrance as He had promised in
John 14:26. They had fellowship with each other, and they broke bread, both in
feasting together, and joining in the Lords table, or communion. And they also
continued steadfastly in prayers. Stedfastly means to be constantly devoted to
something, in this case, the Apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread,
and prayers. Being steadfastly attentive to, continuing in, waiting upon.

10) Fear came upon every soul. That's the word "Phobos" used there and it
means to fear, be afraid of; that which strikes terror: for, "many wonders and
signs were done by the apostles" That would be enough to cause this
fear, but I suspect it also has to do with where it says they were
"pricked" in their heart in verse 37, with that smiting conviction, for
many of these souls had probably been there the day Jesus was
crucified, and if not, they had heard it was a very recent event that
happened 50 days prior, and Jesus had shown himself alive after
the resurrection for 40 days (Acts 1:3) Indeed there would be fear and
awe at such an event as this!

Let us get back to this kind of preaching, and the Holy Spirit bringing conviction, for He wills it so, that many be saved, and turn from their wicked ways, and turn unto life, which is in Jesus: eternal life for those who repent and believe on His name. Amen.

Blessed Mother

You alone have the promise from God

to crush the head of the serpent

We ask of you

what ever it is that's keeping

us from receiving the mercy

of Jesus Christ

the mercy that your son

died for

we ask of you, crush that serpent

crush those voices that we hear in our heads

intercede for us

with your spouse the Holy Spirit

that we can have the fortitude

to voice our sins to the priest

and to resolve to sin no more

that we're willing to cut off whatever it is that's keeping

us from God!

Amen

Prayer written by GabiAfterHours

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1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." Jesus Christ was the only one who could die for our sins because Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Jesus was the only one sinless, without sin, perfect, the only one who could die for all of our sins. Only Jesus was that perfect lamb without blemish, perfect offering to God. 1 Peter 2:22 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Jesus died for all of our sins. the sins of the whole world. Jesus didn't die for just you and me, no died for everybody, the whole world. He died for mormon countries, hindu countries, islam countries, he died for all. Muhammad, Buddah, Mary all sinned, yet Jesus was without sin, sinless. that is why Only he was able to die for us. Only Jesus Christ was sinless, only Jesus was without sin. And only Jesus Christ tasted death for every man Hebrews 2:9 John the Baptist said in John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jesus is the only way to heaven John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Salvation is Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. Jesus is the only way. you have to put all your trust in him to get you to heaven, Jesus is the only way, Jesus paid it all, Jesus is the name above all names. Jesus Christ is the only one who died for our sins, Jesus Christ is the only name that saves. Salvation is Jesus Christ plus nothing minus nothing. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." I've told a lie before, we've all lied before and we've done worse things than lying let's face it. James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Only Jesus Christ was sinless, Jesus is the only one who could pay for our sins, and he did pay for all our sins. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Salvation is faith alone, Christ alone, Jesus is the only name that saves, Jesus Christ is the only one who can save you. call on him. not on Mary or anyone else. trust Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, 100% Jesus 0% us. Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” don't trust your priest, pope nothing to save you, only Jesus Christ can save you. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" one sacrifice for all time.

An ex-school cop is on the run after allegedly gunning down his ex-wife and his 17-year-old girlfriend in Washington state – on the same day he was due to face court on child rape charges.

Police are frantically hunting for Elias Huizar, 39 – who they say is “armed” and “likely to commit more crimes” – after he was accused of carrying out the double slaying on Monday and then fleeing, possibly to Mexico, with his 1-year-old son, the Washington State Patrol said.

His relationship with the teen girl is one of the two child rape charges he was due in court for on Monday, the Tri-City Herald reported.

Huizar was arrested Feb. 3 after his girlfriend reported him to cops for allegedly raping her unconscious 16-year-old friend after a night of drinking at his home.

Meanwhile, the alleged slaying of his ex-wife unfolded just days after she filed to change the custody arrangements of the two kids they share, ages 5 and 9, according to court documents obtained by the local outlet.

I've recently decided that enough is enough and decided to get weight loss surgery. At my latest weigh in a few weeks ago I weighed almost 440 pounds and I'm not that tall of a person. I am huge and I'm sick of needing a cane everywhere I go and not being able to walk very far and I've pretty much exhausted all other options at this point. The only thing I haven't tried are the weight loss injections but my insurance won't pay for them and they're over $1,000 a month so that's an option that I cannot use anymore. My insurance will however, cover weight loss surgery and I've decided on getting the Lap Band surgery. I've been to the consultation already and I know there is a chance that I not make it alive through the surgery but I am turning 38 in a month and I'm not an morbidly obese 24 year old anymore. I don't want to die when I'm in my 40's I'd like to make it at least until my mid 60's or maybe even 70s/80s if I can push it.

So that being said I am getting the surgery in a few months, normally I would post for prayers a few days or weeks before surgery (And I probably will make another topic closer to my surgery) but my surgery may get bumped up anyway and I was looking for support and prayers on this. Has anyone ever gotten weight loss surgery before and it been successful? I really don't want to go under the knife unless I 1. Have to and 2. Have God to guide me through this so that I can be a success. I've always told myself that my goal is 250-300 lbs but if I get weight loss surgery I can maybe get down to 180 pounds and get a majority of my health risks taken care of. Instead of rolling the dice every year and seeing what medical condition I have this time. The last time it was life threatening blood clots I can't even imagine what would come next. I just... don't want to think about it. Going under the knife is a good idea...