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LoveofTruth said:

I understand it. You are applying it in a different way.

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You want to explain HOW you understand that chapter?

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Phil Wickham made this awesome worship video 10 years ago and I still LOVE IT today!!!!

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Praise Jesus!!!!
Praise the blessed name of Jesus Christ. This our God. This is Who He is!!! He loves us!!!

comana said:

He is very interested in crowd sizes, though, and Taylor has crowds to be envious of If you’re into crowd sizes.

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Did you see Obama's speech? He mentioned Trump's fixation with crowd sizes, held his hands just so and there was a perfectly timed short pause which perhaps many missed.

I've shoveled literal tons of snow in the last fifty years, and I've been frostbitten--thought I'd lose my fingers.

But I don't have to shovel heat off my driveway. I don't have to scrape heat off my windshield.

Hi Jimmy! Welcome to CF!

Welcome!

Spiritual Jew said:

Any who are still alive still have the opportunity to repent, of course. But, if they never do then they are condemned and will not have eternal life with Christ.

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I modified the OP to clarify. Take another look. Feel free to follow up. Thanks.

Manny clay said:

I am Manny Clay. I look forward to learning the truth of Jesus with and from you.

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Welcome!

The news broke early this week that Planned Parenthood was offering free abortions and vasectomies outside the 2024 Democratic National Convention in downtown Chicago.

Each year an estimated 500,000 men in the U.S. choose vasectomies. Most who do so are middle-aged and married.

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, reports have emerged of greater numbers of young people, some of whom have never had children, requesting vasectomies and tubal ligations, both forms of sterilization.

What does the Catholic Church teach about sterilization?​

Continued below.

Leave the children alone! Period.

Appearance of Jesus

Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

The Appearance of Jesus (Matt 17:2, Ezek 1:25-28, Dan 10:6,7 Rev 1:13-16, Rev 4:2,3 Rev 5:5,6 Rev 19:11-16 Rev 15:5 Tabernacle=Jesus)

Rev 1:13 And in the midst (middle) of the seven candlesticks (light Rev 1:12b) (1) one like (similar) unto the Son of Man (Matt 20:28 Luke 22:16 John 3:13),

(2) clothed with a garment down to the foot (Dan 7:9 Rev 19:13),
(3) and girt about the paps (breasts) with a golden girdle (Ex 39:20).

The Seven Candlesticks: see Rev 1:12b

Jesus is the Son of Man (Rev 2:1)

Titles of Jesus: see Rev 1:1, 4,8, 13,18 3:14, 4:11, 5:5, 7

Sovereignty of God=Jesus: Rev 5:5,6, 10:7, 11:15, Rev 19:10, 12:12, 20:1-3

Parallel: Act 13:22 when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Jhn 1:51 And he says unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Jhn 3:13 And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Jhn 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up:

Jhn 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

The Appearance of Jesus

THE MYSTERY OF GOD FINISHED: (Gen 1:1 Isa 45:7 Isa 65:17 John 14:9 Eph 3:9 Col 1:15-20 Heb 1:1-3 Rev 10:6,7)

Titles of Jesus: see Rev 1:1, 4,8, 13,18 3:14, 4:11, 5:5, 7

Sovereignty of God=Jesus: Rev 5:5,6, 10:7, 11:15, Rev 19:10, 12:12, 20:1-3

Jesus

Mat 17:2 And (Jesus) was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Jhn 14:9 Jesus says unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?

Rev 14:14 I looked, behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Rev 19:11,12 And I (John) saw heaven opened and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doses (Jesus) judge and make war. Rev 19:12 His (Jesus) eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his (Jesus) head were different crowns; and he (Jesus) had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. Rev 19:13 And he (Jesus) was clothed with a vest dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word (John 1:1-3) of God.

Appearance of Jesus

Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; *

Rev 1:14a (4) His (Jesus) head and his hairs were white like (similar) wool, as white as snow;

Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war. `

Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

The Appearance of Jesus

Rev 1:14b and (5) his (Jesus) eyes were as a flame of fire.

Dan 10:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

Rev 19:12 His (Jesus) eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his (Jesus) head were different crowns; and he (Jesus) had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself

Appearance of Jesus

Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace, and his voice as the sound of a water falls.

Rev 1:15a and (6) his (Jesus) feet like (similar) unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; Feet: see Rev 1:13

The Appearance of Jesus

Rev 1:15b and (7) his (Jesus) voice as the sound of a water falls. Voice: see Rev 1:10b Rev 1:12a

Appearance of Jesus

Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.

Rev 1:16a (8) and he (Jesus) had in his right hand (Rev 5:1,7) seven stars (Rev 3:1):

Hab 3:4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns (Seven Angels of the Seven Churches Amos 5:8 Rev 1:16) coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.

Right Hand: see 1:16a, 1:17b, Rev 1:20, 5:1a

Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Mat 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, sit you on my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool?

Mat 25:33 he shall set the sheep on his right hand, the goats on the left.

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mat 26:64 Jesus says unto him, you have said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Mat 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Mat 27:38 Then there were two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

The Appearance of Jesus Continued

Rev 1:16a

Seven Stars

Seven Stars: see Rev 1:16a, 1:20, 3:1 Rev 2:1, 8, 12,18 Rev 3:1, 7, 14

Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.

• 1st Star=1st Church Angel: Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
• 2nd Star=2nd Church Angel: Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things says the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
• 3rd Star=3rd Church Angel: Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things says he which has the sharp sword with two edges;
• 4th Star=4th Church Angel: Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
• 5th Star=5th Church Angel: Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things says he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.
• 6th Star=6th Church Angel: Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;

7th Star=7th Church Angel: Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;



























The Appearance of Jesus

Rev 1:16b and

(8) out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword (words Rev 2:12, 16 Rev 19:15 {telekinesis}):

Heb 4:12 For the word (telekinesis) of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerns of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Zec 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, says the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things say he which has the sharp sword with two edges.

Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.



The Appearance of Jesus

Rev 1:16c

(9) his countenance (appearance) was as (parallel) the sun shines in his strength.



Countenance of Jesus

Rev 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Psa 4:6 There be many that say, who will show us any good? LORD, lift you up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance.

Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

















John Falls in Worship before Jesus

Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:



Rev 1:17a and when I (John) saw him (Jesus), I fell at his feet as dead.

Rev 19:10 And I (John) fell at his feet to worship him (1st Vial Angel). And he said unto me, see you do it not: I am your fellowservant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Rev 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Rev 22:9 Then says he (1st Vial Angel) unto me (John), See you do it not: for I am your fellowservant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Rev 5:8 KJV And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

Rev 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

Rev 19:4 KJV And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.



The Right Hand of Jesus



The Right Hand of Jesus

Rev 1:17b and he (Jesus) laid his right hand upon me (John), saying unto me, Fear not;

Right Hand: see Rev 1:16a, 20, 2:1, 5:1,7



Jesus is the First and the Last

Rev 1:17c I (Jesus) am the first and the last (title of Jesus):

Titles of Jesus: see Rev 1:1, 4,8, 13,18 3:14, 4:11, 5:5, 7

Gen 1:5 And God called the light (1st) Day, and the darkness (2nd) he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Isa 41:4 Who has wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.

Isa 44:6 Thus says the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Isa 48:12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write, these things say the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.

Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last.

LoriSaysHey2U said:

No.. Only humans were made in the image of God. Genesis Genesis 1:26.

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Thanks for the reference. This is how to do referencing and quotation in a scholarly manner:

1. Display and indent the relevant text.
2. Selectively bold the particular keywords that are important to your point. There is no need to bold the entire sentence. Have a laser-sharp focus.
3. Be concise and precise to the point. No need to quote the whole paragraph.

I do this for others who read my posts. It is a standard high-school scholarship. If you practice this, I guarantee it will sharpen your analytical thinking. In any case, no one is required to do it. I prefer to debate with people who do.

Martin Barret said:

Hey there! Nancy here! Thanks so much DreamyLaLa! If it was for just ONE person that the songs were written, then praise God. That's all the matters - that because of the song lyrics, you are reminded of God's presence through the stress of just dealing with life. Anxiety is a 'given' in the present climate, so those verses in God's Word that deal with trusting are crucial!
Martin is the recording guy, but I contribute to writing (I wrote all the lyrics to 'On That Day' and 'Waiting To Be Found') and singing on his tracks. I also serve as 'advisor' to his many recording ideas.
The album was all done in our home.
Thanks again for your great interest and comments! God bless you 'through the storm'!
n

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You're welcome, it's so nice to meet you, too, Nancy! You are a talented songwriter. Thanks for sharing your music process! I found it interesting! I also thank you for your thoughts on trusting God in the storm. I always need to be reminded of that.
I really like that you made the album at home. I'm really into home business/family business/small business! God bless you, and I wish you success on your new album!

Dia de los Muertos

After Mark Rothko

Jeff Carr said:

I am a dispensationalist that attempts to keep the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are the Moral Law of God fleshed out so to speak.
As such, they have never been abrogated, Christ summarized the the Moral Law into loving God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself. While the ceremonial & civic laws have passed away, the Moral Law is eternal.

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The main reason that the OLD COVENANT is done away , is Heb 8:8 .

The NEW COVENANT will include the House of Israel and the House of Judah and will NEVER be TWO STICKS , but will

be ONE STICK again , in Ezk 37:15-19 .

dan p

rjs330 said:

I believe you've already been shown that.

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No, posters have mentioned that but have given no citations that I saw.

rjs330 said:

And I Corinthians has nothing to do with calling out Biden for using sex and race as the number one factor for VP rather than competence.

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Sure it does. You can put the most charitable spin or the least.

Pommer said:

Anchovies are getting more difficult to find too.

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yeah but no loss there, no idea why anyone eats them j/k.

But on a less silly note, it's kinda annoying how few seem to care, rather get upset about the solution then the problem. Seems to be the case with so many htings.

In other words, democrats were working to get Biden elected.

BobRyan said:

How? --

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Getting their message out. Countering the far right media propaganda. I get it. Trump's people thought that voter suppression would be enough. It wasn't. And so Trump lost by a margin he once characterized as "a landslide."

In neither of his runs at president did he get a majority of voters to vote for him. He won't get that this time, either. Americans don't want him. That's the problem, not some imaginary grand conspiracy to steal the election. As Trump's own AG admitted, that story is false.

Jesus Commands John to Write a Book Rev 22:16

Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Rev 1:11a Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:

Beginning of Denominationalism Matt 26:14-16 Mark 14:15, 44 Acts 3:14,15 Luke 22:5,6 Luke 22:47,48 unholy kiss John 12:6-money bag Luke 22:5,6 Rev 1:18 3:20 Isa 28:15-18-SCOURGE {Jer 6:30 Luke 18:33 2Tim 3:7-9 Titus 1:16 Rev 2&3}) Mark 13:35 four watch periods

Rev 1:8 I (Jesus) am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last.

The Book John is Commanded to Write

Rev 1:11b and what you (John) see (observe), write in a book,

John Writes

Rev 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Rev 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

Rev 19:9 And he says unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. he says unto me, these are the true sayings of God.

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, write for these words are true and faithful.

The Seven Churches

Rev 1:11c and send it (the book) unto the seven churches (7 denominational divisions of the general assembly on earth) which are in Asia; unto (1st) Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7), and unto (2nd) Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11), and unto (3rd) Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17) , and unto (4th) Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29), and unto (5th) Sardis (Rev 3:1-6), and unto (6th) Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13), and unto (7th) Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22).

John Writes to the Seven Churches

Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things says the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things says he which has the sharp sword with two edges;

Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things says he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.

Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

John Observes Seven Golden Candlesticks

Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks.

The Voice Speaking with John

Rev 1:12a And I (John) turned to see the voice (Jesus Rev 1:10) that spoke with me.

The Voice specking: see Rev 1:10b Rev 4:1b

Gen 3:10 And he said, I (Adam) heard your (God) voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Eze 43:2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.

Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Rev 3:20 Behold, I (Holy Spirit John 4:24) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see you hurt not the oil and the wine.

The Seven Golden Candlesticks Seven Golden Candlesticks: see Rev 1:20

Rev 1:12b and being turned, I (John) saw seven golden candlesticks.

Beginning of Denominationalism Matt 26:14-16 Mark 14:15, 44 Acts 3:14,15 Luke 22:5,6 Luke 22:47,48 1Cor 1:12 unholy kiss John 12:6-money bag Luke 22:5,6 Rev 1:18 3:20 Isa 28:15-18-SCOURGE {Jer 6:30 Luke 18:33 2Tim 3:7-9 Titus 1:16 Rev 2&3}) Mark 13:35 four watch periods

Exo 25:37 And you shall make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

True Church: (Matt 16:13-20 Acts 20:28 Eph 5:21-32 Col 1:18 Heb 12:23 Rev 1:7)

Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.

Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write, these things say he that hold the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

tonychanyt said:

I speak from my personal experience. As an undergrad student, many Christians talked to me frequently about Jesus. I didn't believe the gospel. I argued with them based on my scientific mindset. Their answers did not satisfy me. I choose not to believe because Jesus made no sense to me scientifically.

After graduation, I started to look for meaning in life. Science could not satisfy my search, so I tried to look for answers elsewhere. I read tons of philosophical books. I continued my graduate study in AI. The Christians continued their effort to convince me. My mind started to soften, and gradually, I accepted Christ over a period of about a year.

Yes, I chose not to believe, and I chose to believe. That was some decades ago. Now, when I look back, I wonder how I survived life before I knew Jesus

See also

• Do we choose to repent?
• Which Comes First: Faith or Repentance?

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Yes, I agree that it is a choice. We can see that when we look at passages like these:

Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

If people were not required to choose to believe or not, then reason would not be involved in whether someone believed or not. But, this passage says that Paul "reasoned with them out of the scriptures". Some were convinced by his reasoning and put their faith in Christ as a result. That clearly implies that it was a choice on their part after reasoning and thinking about what Paul was saying and then deciding whether to agree with what he was preaching or not.

Acts 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Again, we see a description of Paul reasoning with people and persuading them. If there was no choice of whether to believe or not, then reason and persuasion would not have anything to do with whether or not people believe. If believing or not was not a choice, then no amount of reasoning and persuasion would make any difference. But, they do. People chose to either accept his reasoning and were persuaded by it or they chose to reject it and were not persuaded by it. That was entirely their choice.

Clare73 said:

Don't confuse the message with the messenger.

God used Balaam's donkey to deliver a message.

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Also correct.