Pray that India's political leaders & bureaucrats do Not prop up wicked authoritarian dictators of other nations:

What SabbathBlessings said

Since sin = breaking the law (1 John 3:4)

"He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed." - 1 Peter 2:24

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How do you die to sins if you're still living in it like a bowl of soup?

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? - Romans 6:1-2

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When we die, and are resurrected as a new person:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

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How can you be a new person but do the same things the old person did? And to add, since this is new testament...

No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.- 1 John 3:6-10

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While we don't have to continue in the ceremonial law, we DO have to continue in the moral law (10 commandments). The NT doesn't do away with it, it actually affirms it more boldly.

Now the Scribes and the Pharisees were known for being hypocrites, and this is just one example of their hypocrisy. But is it wrong to correct sinful behaviors in others who profess faith in the one and only true God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit? No, it is not wrong, if it is being done with the right motives, and in biblical love and truth, and not in hypocrisy, and with the intent to save lives, and not to destroy them. For we are instructed in the Scriptures that we are to help our fellow Christians to victory over sin.

[Philippians 2:1-8; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:15-21; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20; Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 5:13-16; Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9]

But the Scribes and the Pharisees cared nothing about this woman. They were just using her as a pawn for their own purposes to try to trip up Jesus with his words, so that they would have cause to accuse him. And they didn’t really care about the law, either, unless using it served their purposes when they wanted to claim, “the law says,” but while they were those who broke the commands of God habitually, for they did not practice what they preached, but instead were full of wicked deeds, greed, and self-indulgence.

Now, the Scriptures do not teach us what Jesus wrote in the ground with his finger, which led the Scribes and the Pharisees to back off and to depart. But I have always suspected that he named names, perhaps names of harlots with whom they had committed adultery, so that they knew that Jesus knew their secret acts of sin, and that he had the power to expose their deep dark secrets, and to stand them in front of a “firing squad,” too. For they were too prideful to back down based on his spoken words alone. They needed more.

And when they had all departed, then Jesus spoke to the woman with kindness. And he could see what was in her heart. And I believe he could see that she was sorrowful and repentant. For then he said to her, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” And that is Jesus’ message to all of us who are sorrowful and repentant over our sins, when he forgives us. For forgiveness is never permission granted to keep on in sin, but it is for the purpose that we will “go, and sin no more.” Amen!

For Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

For by God-gifted faith in Jesus Christ, which is not of our own doing, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness in walks of obedience to God’s commands. We are no longer to permit sin to reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its desires. For if sin is what we obey, it results in death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it results in sanctification, and its end is eternal life with God (see Romans 6:1-23).

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

Broken and Contrite

An Original Work / May 13, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

I come before You, Lord, my Savior,
With humble heart and crushed in spirit.
I bow before You, I implore You,
Heal my broken heart, I pray.
Love You, Jesus, Lord, my master,
You are the King of my heart.
Lord, purify my heart within me;
Sanctify me, whole within.

Oh, Lord, I long to obey fully
The words You’ve spoken through Your Spirit.
I pray You give me grace and mercy,
Strength and wisdom to obey.
Father God, my heart’s desire,
Won’t You set my heart on fire?
Lord, cleanse my heart of all that hinders
My walk with You, now I pray.

Oh, Jesus, Savior, full of mercy,
My heart cries out for understanding.
I want to follow You in all ways,
Never straying from Your truth.
Holy Spirit, come in power,
Fill me with Your love today.
Lord, mold and make me;
Your hands formed me;
Live Your life through me, I pray.

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Go, and Sin No More
An Original Work / December 4, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

BelieveItOarKnot said:

IF you believe that is the case THEN Matt. 4:4, Luke 4:4 and Deut. 8:3 are all WRONG

or, your reasoning is off

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I fully believe what Jesus said: Look at the context of Mark 4: 15 starting with Mark 4: 13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

By Jesus’ own words: not everyone hears the word the same way every time.

Jesus explains Mark 4:4 in context Mark 4:13-20 and even in Mark 4 he says some and not all.

What are you trying to get Luke 4: 4 to say, since it only says: Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

How does: “Deut. 8:3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Support your idea satan lives within all of us all the time?

BelieveItOarKnot said:

IF all have sin, (we do) and sin is of the devil, (it is) then Mark 4:15 applies to everyone

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All mature adults have sinned and sin is of the devil, but the scripture says we sinned and does not say: the devil inside of each of us sinned, making it the devil’s fault.

BelieveItOarKnot said:

IF we are tempted in mind/heart, (we are) then Mark 4:15 is true again

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Mark 4:15 is true, that is not in question, but Jesus says it applies to only “some” and not all people all the time since there are other types of soils (people’s hearts).

BelieveItOarKnot said:

I could go on, but if you exempt yourself from Mark 4:15 then you are basically rejecting the Word of God

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That is a straw man. I am not “exempting” myself from any scripture, just point out people are different at different times in their lives and do not always act like solid ground (harden hearts).

BelieveItOarKnot said:

And of course we know who does that don't we?

The balance of your reply is self justification, which I can't do in light of the above

Oh, and btw I do believe in eternal hell, for the devil and his messengers so that question is off the table

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That is a copout response.

'Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts'
- Kenneth C. Kinghorn
----
Kindle ebook
- 99¢

FredVB said:

I see God is not limited. God created all the universe with it possible for any worlds with life, any other way it would not. God provides for that. God cares for life. God is everywhere, God is not limited in power, and is not limited in caring, God cares for all life. This includes each of us individually. As God cares so there is reason for us to do so.

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The level and degree of care of God for humans is, however, quite varied. For all of humanity God has provided this earth to sustain life. For most humans, life is far from pleasant, with many dying of disease, famine, and pestilence. God is also perfectly just and holy with requirements to be met in order to please Him. Sadly, all of us have fallen short of His glory and are rightly deserving of an eternity in the lake of fire which burns forever. In His matchless love and grace He sent Jesus Christ to earth to redeem His people. His people were, historically, the Jewish nation and no others among the hundreds of millions of people living on the earth. Following the redemption of Jesus Christ, His people are those who have faith in Jesus Christ. Those who do not have faith in Jesus Christ are not His sheep with the result being that the vast majority of humanity will be eternally lost.

I'm so glad you've found a church home. Blessings! And welcome to CF!

I don’t know…

Cool thread!


I think I'd go with these 2 legends:


Cool thread!


I enjoy these 2 legends most:


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Jesus was baptized at about thirty years of age: “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:13–17).
“And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age…” (Luke 3:23).

The disciples followed the example of their Master: “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized… And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.” (John 3:22–26).
Thus much water was needed for baptism so that a person could be baptized entirely. Partially wetting a person is not sufficient for baptism. The meaning of the original word baptidzein (baptism) is “to immerse under water.”

John 4:1–2 gives further detail about the baptism performed by the disciples, which therefore took place before the giving of the missionary/baptism command: “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)…”
The disciples thus baptized one another, as well as many other people, more than John the Baptist. The followers of Jesus have always desired to act according to the example of their Master:
“And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” (Luke 7:29–30).
The plan of God, beginning from the giving of the missionary command after the work of the cross, has been that all who have come to faith are to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ after their conversion. For this reason, in the early congregation there were no unbaptized, except in some cases for a few hours or days until a place of baptism was found. “…be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ…” (Acts 2:38, 41; 10:48). To remain unbaptized for three days was called delaying (Acts 9:9 / 22:16). Baptism has therefore belonged to “the principles of the doctrine of Christ” for about 2000 years (Heb. 6:2). It is an expression of obedience and honor toward God.
“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:8). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life…” (John 3:36).

The church practice of infant baptism has made void the plan that God has for all people. Peter exhorted thus:

“…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ…” (Acts 2:38).​

“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…” (Acts 2:41–42).
Thus the congregation founded at the cross began to function. The congregation, ekklesia (Eng. congregation), means those people who have received the risen Jesus. WE are the congregation. The work of the cross, the blood sacrifice and death of Jesus amidst sufferings, is the foundation of our eternal life. We have received the forgiveness of our sins through the merit of His substitutionary sacrifice.
There is no teaching or example in the Bible of the baptism of infants in arms. Nor is there any of belonging to a church. Therefore, it is good to resign from the church before baptism. This belongs to repentance.

The Bible knows no practice in which someone who has come to faith could remain unbaptized. Jesus gave the missionary/baptism command about forty days after the work of the cross (Acts 1:2–3, 9). This remains in force until the end:
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15–16).
First, therefore, the hearing of the message of salvation and coming to faith, then baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the unambiguous teaching and example of Jesus and of the early congregation. To this also refers the teaching in Eph. 4:5, “One Lord, one faith, ONE BAPTISM.” If someone has not been baptized after coming to faith with this only biblical baptism, he is unbaptized, even if he had been “baptized” many times with other kinds of “baptisms.”

Give therefore your life to Jesus, and come to baptism. This is the good will of God: “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 10:48). Thus the blessing of Heaven may fill your life.
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16).

Blessings,
Weijo Lindroos, from the Turku Congregation
Email: weijo.lindroos@pp.inet.fi

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

How long before he convinces Kanye to get Trump to give him a pardon?

Homily Friday, December 5 2025



Isaiah 29:17-24

“On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a scroll; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.”

For us, it is wonderful to think about these major transformations in people’s bodies.

God leads us to a deeper understanding. It is also about allowing Him to open our hearts to His grace.



Matthew 9:27-31

The blind men on the road believe that Jesus can restore their sight. Welcoming God’s presence, His joy and peace, our hearts find their joy again.



Biblical texts: NAB-RE

Normand Thomas.

December 4, 2025

Our Morning Offering – 4 December – Daily Prayers to the Infant Jesus


One Minute Reflection – 4 December – “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 13:14

Saint Peter Chrysologus propers & commentary (EF)

St. Peter Chrysologus, Doctor of the Church propers with Feria and St. Barbara commemorations (EF)

Thursday of the First Week of Advent readings & commentary (OF)
Saint John Damascene, Priest, Religious and Doctor—Optional Memorial

Thursday of the First Week of Advent; Opt. Mem. of St. John Damascene, Priest and Doctor readings & commentary (OF)
Other Commemorations: St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr; St. Osmund, Bishop

Daily Gospel

ADVENTCAzT 2025 – 05– Thursday 1st Week of Advent

Saint Peter Chrysologus

Saint Barbara Virgin and Martyr

The Legendary Saint Barbara

Pope Benedict and Saint John Damascene

Saints of the Day

Sermons for Everyday Living - St Peter Chrysologus & St Barbara 12/4/25

Audio version of Gueranger
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Fervent said:

If historical-cultural context are consulted, God-breathed has nothing to do with inspiration. It's expiration that is in view, which is why it is useful...because God makes the text alive.

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I disagree.

Fervent said:

The OP seems to promote at least 2 traditions that developed in the late middle ages in sola scriptura and the sui generis nature of the Bible such that it can be called the Word of God in its own right rather than functioning as an icon.

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Actually the primacy and holiness of scripture is well documented among the ECFs.

Instead of complaining about prayer after communion I wish he would address the people who can’t silence their tongues before and during Mass.

God may have relented on occasion due to Moses intercession, but there were several occasions when He still punished the people of Israel, sometimes severely.

This is an AI generated summary -

Key instances where God punished the Israelites include:

Worship of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32): After Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people created a golden calf to worship. As punishment, God ordered the Levites to kill about 3,000 people.

Complaining at Taberah (Numbers 11:1-3): The people complained about their hardships, and the Lord sent fire that burned the outer edges of the camp.

Craving Meat (Numbers 11:4-35): After complaining about the lack of meat and being tired of manna, God provided a massive amount of quail but also sent a severe plague that killed many people due to their gluttony and lack of trust.

Miriam and Aaron's Rebellion (Numbers 12): When Miriam and Aaron challenged Moses's authority, God punished Miriam with leprosy for a period of seven days.

Refusal to Enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14): The most significant punishment occurred when the people, out of fear after hearing the spies' report, refused to enter the Promised Land and wanted to return to Egypt. God sentenced that entire generation of adults (except Joshua and Caleb) to die in the wilderness, wandering for 40 years. The ten spies who brought the bad report were struck down by a plague and died immediately.

Korah's Rebellion (Numbers 16): Certain leaders, including Korah, rebelled against Moses's and Aaron's leadership. God caused the earth to open up and swallow the main offenders and their families, while a subsequent plague killed 14,700 people who sided with the rebels.

Complaining about Lack of Water (Numbers 21:4-9): The people complained again about the lack of water and food. God sent poisonous snakes (fiery serpents) into the camp, which bit the people, and many died.

Idolatry at Peor (Numbers 25): The Israelites engaged in sexual immorality and worshipped the Midianite god, Baal of Peor. This resulted in a plague that killed 24,000 people.

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God might concede to Mary's requests from time to time, but if He gets fed up enough, He'll act and when He does it will be tough.

Mary might intercede for us, but she can't hold back HIs wrath.

i feel so sorry if this is how teens see themselves if they truly do , sometimes teens like to role-play or do cosplay as in dress up as their faveorate charter from movies or tv shows and anime , but if a teen think they ARE animals they need to see a dr asap , they need to see a psych and fast
when i was a child i would role-play and teen are still children, you don't have a full brain capacity until you are 25 .they have research it . i know where are adults that feel they are from tv and films etc there is game play in board games that you role-play, i won't say what game as it not a thing we should talk about he cos we do have younger members of the forum .

'Pakistan deportation sends Gospel to Afghanistan.'
- Mission Network News (mnnonline.org)
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Afghanistan
- 10/40 window

Patel already displayed his incompetence early on many times like when he kept tweeting out information during ongoing investigations. But then he did this:

> A top FBI official with 27 years standing has reportedly been fired by the bureau after its director, Kash Patel, became enraged by press stories revealing he had used a government jet to travel to see his girlfriend sing the national anthem at a wrestling match.

>Steven Palmer, who had worked at the bureau since 1998, was fired as head of the FBI’s critical incident response group which is responsible for handling major security threats as well as overseeing the agency’s fleet of jets. He was the third head of the unit to be dismissed since Patel became the second Trump administration’s FBI director in February.

> Bloomberg Law, which broke the story, said that three unnamed sources had expressed astonishment at the sacking given that Patel’s flight schedules were fully public and trackable on websites.

He's an idiot.

Between him and Hegseth and RFK jr. this administration is staffed by the dumbest most incompetent people imaginable. Here's a fun word to describe the situation, kakistocracy, a country governed by imbeciles.

The Barbarian said:

Butlerian jihad, anyone?

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I was thinking more 'I Robot'.