Willa

God doesn't see us through rose colored glasses, He sees us through blood covered glasses. Once we receive Christ into our lives and His atoning death for our sins, He sees us as pure, cleansed, forgiven and justified by Christ's blood. He makes us new creatures in Christ. True, we die daily to the old man. However, our names are written in the Lamb's book of life, we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and we have eternal life!

When personal prophesies have been given to me, the genuine ones have all been confirmation of something God had already told me. However, most have been false. One in particular was an accusation. I prayed about it and opened the Bible randomly to an Old Testament page and pointed my finger to a verse that proclaimed it was a lie. I rarely have done this and being skeptical I randomly reopened to a New Testament passage that turned out to be a quotation of the previous passage saying again that it's a lie! We are told that the truth will set you free, and at that moment the heaviness that had come over me totally left and I felt light and free. We are also told that satan is the accuser of the brethren. I had the witness of Scripture to not believe that personal prophecy. At one time I attended a pentecostal church. Many of the members were there because they had been kicked out of their mainline denomination upon receiving a spiritual gift! They were told it was contrary to the churches doctrine. Someone asked whey the gifts don't occur in the Baptist church--That is why. When they do the people are asked to leave. Others who experienced this were Lutheran. While in this church they were contemplating construction a new building. While praying about it I saw myself and family worshipping in a gymnasium. As it turned out, we changed to a Baptist church so I never saw what they built. However, after attending the crowded little church for several months we learned that the new addition they were building was to be a gymnasium that would double as their new sanctuary. We worshipped there for nearly 20 years. When we again changed it was to a Calvary Chapel. We first worshipped in a remodeled shopping center for 2 years, then a community center for 2 more years, and for the last 15 years in a gymnasium! Why God showed me this I don't know, except perhaps to confirm that this is where He wanted us. When giving a prophecy in church God always gives me a short phrase to speak out and then either gives me more words or I see something taking place that I describe. So I never am never given a whole prophecy that I could take to the elders to be judged. It is something that unfolds as I speak out in faith. Very rarely have I been given a personal prophecy for another person. Like others here I am very wary of self proclaimed prophets. As one lady put it, "Well, Willa, If God could speak through Balaam's ass, I suppose He can speak through you!"

Have you read the book of Job lately?? I have lived in his shoes and in the book. Perhaps it was pure stubbornness coupled with God's grace that enabled me to hang tough. It is really hard when we feel like God doesn't hear us or isn't there. Remember that feelings are unreliable and that satan fills our minds with lies to discourage us. You don't have to listen to his lies! Our God is faithful! Worship God for Who He is and for sending His Son to die for us. God does love you. He didn't promise that the Christian life would be easy or free of hardship. 1Pe 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Synonyms of abide: stay remain tarry live reside dwell stick with I think rely upon is one of the best translations of pistos--to believe. When we trust in Christ we rely upon him not just for faith but for help in all situations of life

yeh, we were talking about cats and as usual far0uk is talking about tats.

One unsaved granddaughter and one grandson in-law have several. The other 3 have one and are happy with them.

Dad didn't go to church when my kids were toddlers. Thinking of 18 month old babies.

It means to stick to Jesus, to stay with Him.

The Lord's Supper is a celebration of part of the Seder, the Passover meal that Jesus was celebrating with His disciples.

I think James said we are to count it all joy when we endure trials, but I still don't enjoy them. In fact, I am inclined to grumble like the children of Israel in the wilderness with whom God was displeased.

I can accept a woman being a pastor over women's and children's ministries when she is under the authority of a male head pastor. I cannot accept female head pastors except in very rare circumstances. In fact, I know of a male president of a seminary whom my pastor led to saving faith in Christ. I know many pastors who admitted they had not been called by God to the ministry and one graduated summa cum laude from his seminary. Another also had a doctorate. Others had no degrees but were clearly called and gifted in preaching and teaching the word. Two women were called by their congregations following the death of their husbands. One, a missionary in Africa, stayed on permanently; the other stayed on as an interim pastor in their church. One was under the authority of the head pastor as well as her husband. However, I would not choose to attend a church with a female head pastor. The ones that I have seen are mostly attended by women. Women are allowed in Scripture to pray aloud in church when they are under authority. We may prophecy, praise, or exhort when in order and inspired by the Holy Spirit. We may not disrupt by visiting, whispering to our husbands, showing him a message or joke on a cell phone, or otherwise distracting others, or by allowing small children to do the same. I do believe that these Scriptures that establish the chains of command in churches are for today. Yes we are equal in worth, but that doesn't mean we can ignore God's chain of command. Nor can we toss out portions just because we disagree with them.

When I used to pray for my unsaved husband that God would save him and change him, God used trials to change me so that I could accept and love him as he was, as God did. That included removing my self righteousness in thinking I was any better than he was. Ouch! Those trials are painful as they also touched my pride.

The Amplified version adds trust in, rely upon, adhere to. G4100 (Word Study) πιστεύω. pisteúō; fut. pisteúsō, from pístis (G4102), faith. To believe, have faith in, trust. NT meanings:

Yet it is gentle and kind but very strong and has great authority.

He is speaking of our eternal inheritance such as rewards, being seated with Him in heavenly places, ruling and reigning with Christ on earth; these saints walk in the light even as He is in the light.