When you read through the Scriptures, have you ever noticed how often this subject is talked about? Have you ever noticed how sexual immorality, impurity, and sensuality are at the top of most of the lists of sins? In the New Testament alone, immorality is mentioned 32 times, sexual immorality 31 times, impurity 9 times, and sensuality 8 times (at least in the ESV version). And sexual immorality is mentioned 7 times in the book of 1 Corinthians and 9 times in the book of Revelation.

Now, I know this is not a subject most people want to hear about or talk about, but it is probably the number one sin infecting and impacting the church, marriages, families, and other relationships today, including or most importantly people’s relationships with God and with their spouses and children. And it is probably the number one sin destroying the church today and people’s lives and their futures and their relationships with Jesus Christ. And so, unpleasant as it may seem, it needs to be addressed.

Now sexual immorality is not just physical. It begins in the mind first, it is entertained in the mind, and then it is acted out in various ways. And it isn’t confined only to the act of sexual relations between two people not married to each other. For Jesus said that to look at another lustfully is to commit adultery with that person in one’s heart (Matthew 5:27-28). And adultery is mentioned 20 times in the New Testament. And this can include the viewing of sexually explicit videos and movies and what goes along with that.

Now, if we are married, this sin is not just against our spouses, but it is against the Lord and our marriage relationship to him, too. For when we believe in Jesus Christ with God-given and God-persuaded faith in him, we are married to Christ, but much like the Jewish marriage of old where the couple get engaged, which is a contractual marriage, but to where their union is not consummated until the groom goes and prepares a place for them and then he comes and takes his bride to be with him.

So, we are not only to be faithful to our spouses and to not commit adultery against them in any fashion, even if just in the mind, but as followers of Christ we are to be faithful to our Lord and to not commit adultery against him, which is more than just through sexual immorality, but through all willful, deliberate, and habitual acts of rebellion against him and against his commands. For we are to have purity of relationship not only with our spouses but also with the Lord in our marriage relationship to him.

Now, it isn’t only that those who behave in such a manner as this are committing adultery against the Lord and against their spouses, but that they are uniting in mind and/or in body with a prostitute, with what is sexually promiscuous, and for his or her own sinful pleasure. This is one of the most selfish sinful acts there is, in my opinion, for it is not only thinking only of self, but it totally disregards how one’s sins will impact all other relationships, especially those with God and with spouse.

And we can’t be one with Christ and with spouse and be one with “the prostitute” at the same time. And I don’t mean necessarily a literal person who prostitutes himself or herself for money, but all acts of sexual immorality which separate us from our relationships with God and with spouse, in which one commits adultery via the mind and/or the body. You can’t be “one flesh” with your spouse if you are regularly committing adultery against him or her via sexual immorality in its various forms.

For when we marry our spouses and when we marry the Lord, by genuine faith in him, we become one with them, if, indeed, we are not already in the act of being one with “the prostitute,” i.e. the “other lover,” whatever that may entail. For both our marriage to spouse and our marriage to Christ are a lifetime commitment of sobriety, moral purity, faithfulness, honesty and a love relationship that surpasses all other love relationships in our lives. And God knows if our commitment is genuine or not.

And then it says here that we are to flee from sexual immorality, for every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Not only is sexual sin against one’s spouse and against the Lord, both of whom we are to be married in the purity of relationship, but it is sin against one’s own body, too, which can be done and have its effect in many different ways. And for one, because our bodies are to be for the Lord and for our spouses and not for selfish sensual pleasures.

And the problem does come in when one considers one’s own body as solely for him or for her without regard for God, and without regard for spouse or for whoever else may be affected by one’s own selfish and greedy acts of sexual immorality. But as those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, our bodies belong to the Lord, and we are to be those who honor God with our bodies in more ways than just with being morally pure, too. For our bodies are to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, for we are not our own. We were bought with the price of Christ’s blood. So we are to honor Christ with our bodies.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

Sometimes the Lord puts in my mind a secular song which is a prayer of a man pleading for the life of a young man, that God would let him live. And we need to be those who are praying to God for the lives of those who are wandering far from the Lord, and who are trapped in sexual addiction and all other sinfully addictive behaviors which are destroying their relationships with God and with other humans who they are sinning against. And we should be praying that God will bring them home to himself so they will live.

Bring Him Home

By Alain Boublil / Claude Michel Schonberg / Herbert Kretzmer

God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there…

You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home

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The Lord Jesus gave me this song to encourage my heart. We have so many different voices speaking to us at various times – our own inner voice, Satan, the world, friends, family, church, and our pasts, etc., in addition to the voice of the Holy Spirit within us. Sometimes it takes much spiritual discernment through prayer to sort out what voice is speaking, especially when it is something that is not obviously against God and his word.

Other times we may find ourselves listening to other voices, including our own, without even realizing we are doing that, and we may even begin to believe those other voices inside our heads without even being consciously aware we are doing so. So, when these other voices speak their messages into our hearts, we need to discern their source, reject the lies, put on the truth, and hear what the Lord says, because what he says is true. Amen!

What the Lord Says

An Original Work / February 24, 2014
Based off Isaiah 43:1-44:5

This is what the Lord says to you:
Fear not, for I have chosen you.
I have summoned you by your name.
You are mine. I died, you to save.

When you go through your trials, so deep,
I will be with you; you will not sink.
You are so precious always to me.
Trust in your Lord, Savior and King.

This is what the Lord says to you:
He who gave salvation to you;
Who delivered you from your sin;
Takes your burdens now upon Him:

Forget the former things of your life.
Give of your heart not now up to strife.
See all the new things I have for you.
Walk in vict’ry. Trust in what’s true.

This is what the Lord says to you:
He who made you; who will help you:
Do not fear what humans may do.
Walk in freedom. Follow what’s true.

Drink of my Spirit given for you.
Trust in my mercy, for I love you.
I have a plan for all of your life.
Follow my ways. Do what is right.

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Guys, the Mark of the Beast is:



Yes, this a a dumb joke, but when I was overseas a few summers ago, I saw this car rental logo everywhere.

MICAH 5:6-6:8

”and the remnant of Jacob shall be among many peoples….” thus, begins the Prophet Micah’s message. We can witness this account today. In every nation of this modern world, we see the Jewish people. In almost every large city, there are Jewish neighborhoods, communities, Jewish Community Centers,

The mission of Israel in the diaspora was to be a “light unto the nations” The nations thousands of years ago were dwelling in idolatry; the worship of pagan deities permeated their lives. Israel’s mission was to “introduce the worship and love of “One God” Adonai-Elohim, yet even in Israel idolatry was to be found, Elohim would have to “cut off” the worship of graven images, witchcraft, Asherim, etc.,

” Oh, my people, what have I done to thee?” (6:3) Adonai has a right to ask this question. Did HE not take them out of Egypt? Bring them into a new land, He was to be their king, yet they fell into idol worship.

”and what does the LORD require of thee? Only to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God” (6:8)

And that is what it is all about, If Yeshua loved mercy, did what was just and right, and lived a humble lifestyle, shouldn’t we do the same? Following in HIS footsteps is a meaningful goal in our lives.

LUKE 22:1-71


The final and last day of Yeshua on earth is here. He is celebrating the Passover with his disciples. This is very meaningful as it illustrates what the “bread and the wine” symbolize.

” This is my body which is being given to you” “The cup is the New Covenant ratified by my blood which is being poured out for you”.

During the time of Passover and every time we take communion, which is like a “mini Passover” we are reminded of our Messiah, who was beaten, whipped, torn apart, spat upon, and nailed to a cross, all because HE loved us SO MUCH. He, God in the flesh, loved his creation, a once sinless creation, but became flawed by sin, and wanted a new relationship once again. The Matzah which is marked by little holes, illustrates the nail holes, and he hung by those nails until his life paid our sin debt in full.

The first Passover in Egypt only consisted of unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and roasted lamb, symbolizing "Yeshua the Bread of Life", "Yeshua the Sacrifice Lamb" who paid the bitter price of sin (bitter herbs) Yet today, we have added elements, the Haroseth (a sweet mixture of raisins, nuts, dates, etc) and parsley. The "Sweetness of Salvation (Yeshuah) and the celebration in the Springtime.

The New Covenant is ratified, by HIS BLOOD, the blood of bulls, sheep, and goats did NOT, and NEVER did have the power to remove sin, the animal sacrifices only SYMBOLIZED what Yeshua would do in the future.

That is why the New Covenant is better, because the blood of Yeshua, symbolized by the wine we drink, had and has the power to forgive and atone for the sin of mankind. Man, only has to ACCEPT this sacrifice in a personal way, only then, can Messiah’s death on the cross benefit the person. So, if you have never accepted Yeshua as Messiah and LORD, do it now!

Ahh, CRTs. You thought I was mentioning Critical Race Theory. Back when I was a young one, CRT meant Cathode Ray Tube, a type of technology that used electron beams inside a glass tube to display images. We had a spare CRT TV in the 2000s, and I used it a bit to watch Discovery Channel - How It's Made and other shows, though I preferred the flat screen Westinghouse 37 inch TV.

If only I had a CRT monitor to watch some classic 1990s anime.

CRTs Explained:

This guy on Reddit had a nice CRT TV for Yu Yu Hakusho, a classic anime from 1993:
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How is it democratic to have a candidate placed by the hierarchy of the party and not voted on?

Kamala was not voted into her candidacy, she was gifted the position by the Party leaders and not the voters.

Looks more like a dictatorial line of succession than a democratic process.

Curious on how you explain this.

I don't believe in Jung's archetypes. His conception of it, I think, is actually demonic. But I do believe in literary archetypes, which are present everywhere, and even in the Bible. But what is the basis of literary archetypes? I have never seen a discussion on the basis. I am beginning to believe that literary archetypes actually are based on Platonic idealism, and they are effective in literature as a psychological/spiritual force, because that idealism rests deep in the sub-conscious mind, as a sub-conscious or spiritual perception. If so, then Platonic idealism is a psychological/spiritual dynamic constantly interacting with our thinking, beliefs, emotions, identity, and all aspects of our character, and to recognize this dynamic gives a person greater understanding of many aspects of life.

I was having a debate with a friend saying if a Christian committed homosexuality or fornication and died right after they are going to hell. He disagreed and said since they have a relationship with Christ they won’t especially if they was not living that life on a regular basis.

Today, the first day of questioning upon Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle by congressional committee.

Thank God for the bipartisen attention generated towards uncovering this national disgrace/crisis being fostered upon America who seeks to understand how an elite institution such as the United States Secret Service could grant a "person of interest" just enough precious seconds to carry to completion the assassination of a former president, Donald J. Trump?

First of all, how does one justify bringing raw security measures before the public? The notion, "The people deserve to know" sounds as though that may be the extent of the perps punishment IF, there is indeed a nefarious plot here meant to be seen, not caught.

How is this dealt with if the one requested to appear does not come prepared, nor refuses to release known names or facts when asked which she did throughout the 4-hr questioning?

Are these many refusals by Director Cheatle compacted in good standing and accountability?

Arrow prayers are short prayers that only take a few seconds to pray—they are “shot” up to God in a moment.

They help to penetrate darkness or fear and direct our thoughts quickly to God, especially when we feel particularly weak, vulnerable, or scared.

Ex 17:

6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.”

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A few decades later, at Meribah in Nm 20:

7 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8“Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.”

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Mt 20:

34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him.

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Mt 9:

29 He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened.

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Jn 9:

6b He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. 7 Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.

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There is no single formula to effect a particular kind of supernatural miracle.

1 Corinthians 14:1, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy,"

Underscores the paramount importance of love (charity) as the guiding principle for all spiritual pursuits. This verse is an encouragement for believers to prioritize love in their interactions and ministry, ensuring that their desire for spiritual gifts is motivated by a genuine concern for others' edification and well-being. The emphasis on prophecy is seen as an endorsement of its role in building up the church, offering guidance, encouragement, and correction under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is speaking forth God’s word to provide insight and edification to the congregation. Thus, this verse is a call to balance the pursuit of spiritual gifts with a foundational commitment to love, using these gifts, especially prophecy, to strengthen and nurture the church community.

1 Corinthians 14:2, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries,"

Highlights the profound and personal nature of speaking in tongues as a form of communication with God. Speaking in tongues is a vital manifestation of the Holy Spirit, signifying a direct and intimate dialogue between the believer and God. This practice is seen as a deeply spiritual experience where the individual utters divine mysteries that transcend human understanding. It underscores the idea that speaking in tongues is not primarily for public edification unless interpreted, but rather for personal edification and spiritual connection with God. This aligns with the emphasis on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, where speaking in tongues serves as the initial evidence of this experience,(Acts 2:1-4) reinforcing a personal and spiritual communion with the divine.

1 Corinthians 14:3, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort,"

Highlights the vital role of prophecy in the life of the church. In this context, prophecy is understood as a divine utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit, which serves three key functions: edification, exhortation, and comfort. Edification refers to building up the faith and spiritual maturity of the congregation, helping believers grow in their understanding and relationship with God. Exhortation involves encouraging and urging individuals to pursue righteous living and remain steadfast in their faith, providing motivation and guidance. Comfort denotes offering solace and reassurance, particularly in times of trial and distress, reminding believers of God's presence and promises. Prophecy is a powerful tool for ministering to the spiritual needs of the church, promoting unity, spiritual growth, and emotional support. This perspective underscores the belief that spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, are meant to be exercised in love for the benefit and strengthening of the entire church body.

1 Corinthians 14:4, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church,"

Highlights the different roles and impacts of speaking in tongues and prophesying within the Christian community. Speaking in tongues, a significant practice in worship, is seen as a personal edification experience, where the individual is spiritually uplifted and strengthened by direct communion with God. This private benefit, however, contrasts with the broader, communal benefit of prophecy. Prophesying is considered a higher gift in the context of public worship because it communicates God's message in an understandable language, thereby edifying, exhorting, and comforting the entire congregation. This verse is emphasizing the need for balance between personal spiritual growth and the edification of the church body. While speaking in tongues is highly valued for personal spiritual development, prophecy is especially esteemed for its capacity to build up the church, reinforcing the communal and interdependent nature of Christian life and worship.


These are spiritual gifts, can they be counterfeited and how would one really know if they are really authentic ?

Speaking in tongues is regarded as a genuine spiritual gift and the initial physical evidence of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, the possibility of counterfeits is acknowledged. To discern the authenticity of speaking in tongues, several criteria are emphasized. Firstly, the context in which the gift is manifested is considered crucial; authentic speaking in tongues should occur within a sincere, worshipful, and orderly environment as described in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14. Secondly, the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and righteousness, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, should be evident in the life of the individual speaking in tongues, demonstrating a genuine transformation and alignment with God’s will. Thirdly, the guidance and confirmation from church leaders and the community of believers play a vital role in discerning authenticity, as they can provide spiritual oversight and discernment. I believe that through prayer, scriptural alignment, and the witness of the Holy Spirit within the church, believers can distinguish true manifestations of speaking in tongues from counterfeits, ensuring that this spiritual gift is used for the edification of the church and the glory of God.

A policy book this large provides plenty to split hairs over. As with any dividing moment in politics, Christians have a duty to recall their primary identity within the kingdom of God. The apostle Peter refers to the church as God’s own nation and priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9-12), reminding believers that in this world, we are simply sojourners and exiles in a foreign land (1 Pet. 2:11).

An already-not-yet nature is inherent to the Christian life since we know that we are part of an eternal kingdom, but we reside in a temporary place. Yet, while we are here, we have a responsibility to seek the welfare of our community, just as God commanded the Babylonian exiles in their temporary homes away from Jerusalem (Jer. 29:4-7).

How do we adopt this kingdom-minded approach to our political engagement? We pray for our leaders, our nation, and our individual discernment. We intentionally seek out the truth, research consequential policies, have important conversations, and then vote accordingly. We guard our hearts against the corrupting tendency of political idolatry and the wicked desire to place our faith in ideology. Lastly, we actively work toward Godly solutions in our society rather than hoping for legislation and policymakers to do the work for us.

These principles should characterize every Christian’s approach to the culture, and living them out is an act of obedience to God that goes beyond personal politics. So, regardless of how you plan to vote this fall, commit to a kingdom-minded approach and trust that the Lord is not limited by who runs the government.

Hello folks. I am not a Messianic Jew, nor a Jew, though I appreciate Jewish culture, and my Jewish brothers in God. This is a proposal for any Messianic Jews who have non-Messianic Jewish friends or acquaintances. Jews worship the same God as Christians, YHWH. However, the second Person of the Trinity is missing from the Jewish faith: Jesus. One can worship God the Father, but one can not approach the Father without going through His Son, Jesus Christ, as stated in John 14.

The challenge: Try to talk to at least one Jew about the Gospel of Christ and the beatitudes. Hopefully, through the grace of God, that the Jews convert to Christianity, or Messianic Judaism. Witnessing to non-Christians is important in these days before the Great Tribulation. Matthew 28 discusses how the Jewish folks denied Jesus, and only until the Jews accept Jesus, that Christ will return.

Verse
Matthew 28:37-39 (NKJV): “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

John 14:6 (NKJV): "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"

Mission to Jews

Hi all,

I noticed crows directly outside of my window when doing spiritual things like prayer and worship. While I asked the Father to address the matter (and believe He has done so), I am curious to know what insight others may have into what caused the crows to appear. They appeared multiple times over the course of several days.

Thanks

Democrats falling in line behind Harris, ending weeks of rancor about Biden​

While a few in the party have continued to advocate for an open, competitive process, the vice president appeared to have an inside track to seamlessly securing the Democratic nomination.

The Democratic Party moved further toward fully coalescing around Vice President Harris as its new presidential nominee on Monday, a rapid and dizzying show of unity that followed weeks of public infighting and rancor over President Biden’s now-abandoned candidacy.

Less than 24 hours after Biden’s abrupt exit from the race, hundreds of state delegates, the majority of Democratic lawmakers and governors, a group of state party chairs, and several influential interest groups threw their support behind Harris, as other potential candidates said they would not challenge her. Biden, upon ending his bid, endorsed Harris as his successor.

Glad to see the Democratic Party falling in line quickly. It's reported Harris have received over 80 million in donations since yesterday's announcement of her being endorsed by the President. There appears to be new energy on the progressive side. Corporate media and its owners are doing all they can to put Trump back in the White House, but I believe decent Americans see the threat Trump presents and will come out in November to defeat him. And I believe Harris will make a great president.

Biblical teachings have long influenced the dress code for women in various Christian communities, particularly regarding the wearing of skirts, abstaining from makeup, and not cutting hair. These practices are often rooted in specific scriptural passages that emphasize modesty, gender distinction, and holiness. For instance, 1 Timothy 2:9-10 encourages women to dress modestly and focus on good works rather than outward adornment. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 and 11:14-15 discuss the significance of women covering their heads and the cultural and spiritual importance of long hair as a covering. Deuteronomy 22:5 further reinforces the distinction between male and female attire. These scriptures collectively shape the guidelines followed by some denominations, aiming to reflect a commitment to biblical principles and a lifestyle that honors God's design and order. Any thoughts?

Please pray for my work place. I feel like I have struggled since I got there and now things are getting worse. My boss has started to yell at me and it's stressful.

I noticed the Presbyterian forum, and wondered why there wasn't one for, say, Baptists who subscribe the 1689 LBCF?
It has been a growing movement over the past several decades, although it is usually only noticed among Reformed circles, it seems.

Just introducing myself. I was surprised to see any kind of forum outside of Facebook.
I have no idea if I'll be on here much, but once I saw the web site, thought I'd sign up.

There is no best Bible translation in the absolute sense. There are different translation philosophies:

1. Word-for-word approach: YLT, NASB, ESV, KJV.
2. Thought for thought, concept for concept, dynamic equivalent approach: NIV, Revised English Bible, NLT.
3. Paraphrase approach: The Living Bible, The Message (MSG).

Every translation has its advantages and disadvantages.

The ESV is good for general everyday reading. However, it is best to consult multiple versions for Bible studies.

Which translation is the least biased?

One of the literal translations, like Young's.

Which bible translation should you use?

That depends on the person and his purposes for reading. For beginners and non-native English speakers, and non-Christians Good News Translation is a good one. Choose a version that is helpful for you. See Biblehub for different versions. I enjoy reading all of them. I have no favorite, though I use ESV and NIV every single day

What about NLT?

Read it at Biblehub and see if you like it.

What about the Douay-Rheims Bible?

The Catholic Church translated it from the Latin Vulgate in the 16th century. It was a translation of a translation.

What about The Message Bible?

It is a paraphrase. As such, it tends to be verbose and lacks certain precision. It is not a good one to use to support a scholarly discussion.

What about the New World Translation (NWT)?

It is primarily used by Jehovah's Witnesses to support their doctrines. At times, it lacks accuracy and objectivity.

Why are there so many versions?

Different translation philosophies yield different Bibles. More generally, different translation agendas, hidden or not, yield different Bibles.

Instead of hard copies, I prefer to use Bible apps. Save trees. Save money. Also, I can use the search function to find verses faster.

Familiarize yourself with the whole Bible with a daily reading schedule.

Kamala Harris has pretty great taste!

Video of her showing off her purchases in the 2nd image down.
Kamala Harris Picks Up Jazz Vinyl At DC Record Store

Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie addresses the National Eucharistic Congress on July 20. (photo: EWTN)

Background on the T-shirt quote: ‘If It’s Just a Symbol To Hell With It’| National Catholic Register (ncregister.com)

Happy feast of St. Mary Magdalene!

May she pray for us before the throne of God today and always!