TCATA - All Forum posts

Are the Twilight movies & books OK? (post by Guest)

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:26:10 +1300

M7vhM3 , flwftqwxijsj, [link=http://khsbrhzrlwrv.com/]khsbrhzrlwrv[/link], http://qsulluuqoqhs.com/

Are the Twilight movies & books OK? (post by Guest)

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:30:28 +1300

KPeUtM <a href="http://jmpqbleznmlu.com/">jmpqbleznmlu</a>

Are the Twilight movies & books OK? (post by Guest)

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:30:05 +1300

I could read a book about this withuot finding such real-world approaches!

How do you sin against the Holy Spirit? (post by terry)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:04:33 +1300

I can do both emails and Skype. But first drop me an email through the contacts tab at the bottom of my home page, and we'll go offline from here on out.

Thanks again for being willing to share what you have online. I'm certain others will read our communications and fine some answers for themselves.

How do you sin against the Holy Spirit? (post by terry)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:04:32 +1300

How do you sin against the Holy Spirit? (post by Ralffers)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:18:05 +1300

Terry,

You are preaching Christ & Him crucified - and so, yes, you have my permission to act on my behalf. I'm sorry, I don't mean to be taking up space on the forum; if you'd like (I certainly would), we could exchange e-mails and/or Skype. I created an account here, so if the email address listed on your profile is active, I will send you my contact details.

God Bless,

~Ralf

How do you sin against the Holy Spirit? (post by terry)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:12:56 +1300

Hi again Ralf,

You raise a whole raft of issues that this forum doesn't have space to answer adequately. But let's tackle a few.

The issue of forgiveness.
It's not a lack of forgiveness you are experiencing, it's consequences for your actions. If, for example, a single woman gets pregnant, she can repent before God and be forgiven, but the baby won't disappear. She will have a child for the rest of her life. She will still need to care for it, feed it, clothe it, and so on. Her forgiveness will be complete, but the consequences for her immorality will continue.

* Wanting to curse your pastor.
I could spend a week telling you of what folks have said about me under demonic control! Yet they are today still my friends, and active Christians. I believe more and more that these desires and impulses of yours are demonically driven.

* Screaming at God and saying dumb things while doing so.
Hey, even the apostle Peter did that of Jesus when he denied him with oaths and curses. Once I screamed at God so loud, my wife heard me 300 yards away. And I was inside a shed at the time, and she inside the house!

* You just need to get a life/read the Bible more/pray more.
Yeah, yeah. You and I both know that this is easy to say and hard to do, and it's not working anyway is it? I am sick to death of the platitudes that ignorant Christians throw around.

Ralf, I would like to try an experiment. I would like to try shutting down any demons that may be within you for a week to enable you to gain a bit of space and perhaps help you think clearly for a while. To do this, however, I need your permission to act on your behalf. I need to be given the authority by you to deal to any internal demons. You don't have to do this, and even if you do it may be a battle for you write your permission.

The reason this is so important is because you have the ultimate authority over yourself, and the devil knows it. Any authority he has over you is what you've already given him by your words. He will obviously use his authority to block whatever I may seek to do, unless you over-ride it.

It's your call though. I have already told you to be very careful who you allow to work with you and this criteria applies to me as well.

I want you to know though that you're pretty normal. I have worked with many (hundreds plus) over the years who have yelled and screamed, cursed God, thrown stuff at him, torn up Bibles, wanted to dance naked on the communion table at Church, torn the flesh off my arm, murdered, been prostitutes... The list is endless.

BUT...

All these same dear folks are going on for God today. So... you're normal! Not yet healed, not yet whole, not yet at peace, but most importantly, not yet eternally lost to God.

Come back to me if you want to.

Lord bless

How do you sin against the Holy Spirit? (post by Guest)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:34:57 +1300

I just wanted to add that, in quoting the verses I did, I don't mean to negate God's justice, righteousness & wrath; I was just always under the impression that as long as a person is willing to repent, God is willing to forgive (forgive 70x7).

The other thing I thought about is - maybe my unbelief stems in being so convinced of hell and so afraid of it that I question its, & God's existence; I believe the bible, but because I potentially can't be forgiven I don't want to believe it. Does that make sense?

How do you sin against the Holy Spirit? (post by Guest)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:19:46 +1300

Hi Terry,

Thank you for your honest reply. I will certainly try to do as you say, but I must admit that it will be difficult to find Christians that will help me through this - because I told everyone believer I know about this, & they're all tired of hearing about this. Everyone tells me "just move passed it & get on with your life." The problem is, I can't do that - I can't manufacture belief & faith on my own, no matter how much I read the bible, pray or go to church. Speaking of which, I haven't been to church in weeks - because I just feel like it's hopeless to go. And I just don't feel comfortable; to hear preaching & want to believe - and yet you can't is a horrible realization. Furthermore, when talking about God I have this sense of repulsion anger & everything else come over me - the thing is, I don't want it and it's not something I'm embracing. It frightens me, & the word thing is I can't stop think this way. I was talking with a believer today, & when he asked "can you say that Jesus is Lord, I had to pause & think about it - whereas before I would not only say it, but proclaim it with an overwhelming conviction. I finally told the gentleman: "well the bible is the only thing that makes sense to me, because there is no way I believe evolution." At the same the thought of God working through me seem equally ridiculous. Now, understand that I want to believe - very much, because I miss what it was like to know Jesus & walk with Him, it was a very exciting life; not to mention I had peace regarding death & was thrilled where I was going.

Now I should mention a few things: 1) I don't know why I did what I did - I didn't know then, & I certainly all the more do not know now, 7 years later. All I remember is a fit of rage, within which I called all the Holy Trinity, both together as well as individually demons, devils the devil, claimed their miracles & the good works in my life they did worthless & of the devil. I also threw every 4-letter word at them & screamed for them to get the (fill in the blank) out of me & never come back, no matter how much I beg. Terrible I know, believe me - I know. This wasn't falling away from God, this was declaring war on God. 2) I didn't know of this unforgivable sin; as much as I have read the Gospels, the verses pertaining to this sin never stuck out at me - which is weird because from what I've been reading, everyone that reads these verses, it impacts them - whereas I never had any recollection of such verses until after the fact. Which is not to say that it's a cop-out, because I simply should have known better. 3) In fact, during this fit of rage, I had heard a voice, or had the thought "stop, stop, stop...." I know that was the Holy Spirit, but whether He was pleading with me to stop, because if I didn't He knew the torment I would go through thereafter - and He didn't want me to, or whether He was saying "stop" because if I didn't than He would have to leave - this is something I will probably never know.

Getting back to the notion of 'something inside me' - when I was speaking with the pastor earlier today, which I mention above I had an overwhelming sensation to curse Him & God; note: I didn't want to myself - I just wasn't comfortable, there was this uneasy feeling of tension, I had the urge to curse him, but I didn't want to at the same time. I also have this anger towards God that He won't forgive me, regardless of me pouring my heart out to Him. Wow, even as I write this, I can feel that fear & anger. Does that make sense? Same thing was happening when I was listening to a sermon just now. On the hand I'm seeking God, & on the other there's a sense of repulsion & unbelief. How do I reconcile the two? I guess this what happens when you curse God, His Spirit, as I did above & scream "I invite the devil into my life & worship him." Strangly, I'm able to sometimes witness to others & remain at ease while doing so. Other times I fight the urges of the above things my mind thinks & still witness, should the opportunity present itself. It's like I'm in unbelief, but my unbelief only pertains to me; for others I know there is hope in Jesus.

Honestly, there are many times I just want to give up & say "it is what it is" - but then, usually the next morning, I panic & realize "oh my gosh, I'm going to hell for eternity - NO!" - and I plead with God. You're absolutely right, hell is to be avoided at all cost; the problem is though that if God has already determined not to forgive me than there is nothing that I can do; it doesn't matter how much I plead with Him, pray, read the bible or go to church. On the other hand, maybe this is all in my head - maybe God has forgiven me, but I'm so convinced that He hasn't that I continue to live in this condemnation. It could be the same cause for my unbelief - maybe I'm so convinced that He is eternally angry with me that I don't want to accept that & therefore don't believe. Does that make sense? Nevertheless, I don't know which it is, & I am scared to death! What I do know is this is literally killing me: I'm depressed & therefore am not eating much at all, my hygiene is in the toilet; I neglect brushing teeth & showers, & am not at all motivated to do schoolwork; I have lost all zest for life.

What I don't understand is why He [potentially] doesn't forgive this one sin, in light of verses like 1John 1:9 (doesn't all mean ALL there? :-( Other verses say that His anger does not last forever, His loving-kindness is everlasting to everlasting; He isn't willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Another one says that He doesn't take pleasure in condemning the wicked & would rather see them repent. I don't get it, verses like these seem to imply that the unforgivable sin is not unforgivable - not on the part of God, but the sinner, yet, it doesn't.

When I first got saved, I knew [or at least thought] I was saved because of the Love for God & for people; I delighted in doing His will, & had a peace like I've never known before. Now, all that has been replaced with anger, repulsion & fear. The thing is, I really don't want to harbor such feelings. I don't know what to do - or even if there is anything that can be done. I was hoping that God would reveal something to you, but... No news is good news I guess. Or it could be that God doesn't bother with me, & therefore reveals nothing. All I know is I want to go back to the way things used to be; I want to love God, love others, & know that God loves me. But instead, it feels like the devil himself is inside me; my toes are curling up as I write these last two sentences.

How do you sin against the Holy Spirit? (post by terry)

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:46:05 +1300

Hi Ralf,

You ask for an honest reply and I will give you one.

You have done a most serious thing in speaking as you say you did about the Holy Spirit. Many Christians spend so much time concentrating on the love, mercy, patience etc of God that they conveniently forget his righteousness, justice and wrath.

Note however, that my initial blog tells of the gang member's eventual freedom. So there is obviously a trigger point of no return that only God knows about. As I've considered you before God, I have not got any input from Him that would suggest you have gone past this trigger point. I'm not saying you haven't, but I am saying I'm not getting any such confirmation from God.

I do believe, however, that your own words may contain a clue to your dilemma.

I have spent a lot of years now working with believers who have been indwelt, and to a greater or lesser extent, controlled by demons, and it is significant to me that you write "there's something inside me...".

I can tell you that some believers I have worked with have said and done unspeakable things under demonic control, especially those who have come out of satanism. But they have eventually come free, and to this day walk victoriously before God and at peace with him.

So, I have two suggestions for you...

1. Find genuine Christians who understand what the devil can do, and are able to help. But whatever you do, be careful who you commit to. There are plenty of fakes within Churches (sad, but true) and the devil will do his utmost to stop you slipping out of his grasp.

2. Continue to plead for forgiveness and mercy from God - for the rest of your life if need be. Hell is forever, and terrible, and to be avoided at all cost. I'm guessing you already realize this!

Knowing what I do about how much demons entwine themselves into people's lives, it would be no surprise to me that you discover them to be a/the root of your troubles. And so I do have hope for you. I have witnessed some pretty amazing changes when the devil has been kicked out.

Thank you so much for writing as you did.

Lord bless

How do you sin against the Holy Spirit? (post by Guest)

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:24:38 +1300

So, if you curse the Holy Spirit & call it the devil (I have - and I don't say that proudly of course; it was 7 years ago) under no circumstance will you be forgiven, even if you regret your words and actions and repent, right? If this is the case than I'm done for. Please don't sugar-coat it; I need the truth. To make matters worse - once, while in church & in prayer about this very thing I suddenly saw myself standing before I blindingly bright light (God) - and I remember feeling very scared, & then I was set on fire. This seems to me that God is in fact Communicating to me that He will not forgive me.

For 7 years I've been living in fear & depression; I fear death more now than I did before I was believer. I was in fact a believer at point, but am now just not sure about anything. It's a terrible feeling when you live your life in fear & dread of what's to come. And lastly, the really bad thing is that while on one hand, I'm seeking God (probably in vain - because I'm convinced that I have crossed a line), but on the other, there's something inside me that mocks & ridicules Him; Its like the devil himself is inside me.

I know that people say that if you fear that you've committed the unpardonable sin, than you haven't. Others say that it's unforgivable because you reject Christ. I don't know that either of these arguments hold any merit though; I mean it sounds like there is a sin, this one sin that God will not forgive - because He chooses not to.

I got saved at 19, saw God working in my life for the next 3-4 years; but after that a vicious cycle of backsliding began. I committed this particular sin of blasphemy, saying what I said to the Holy Spirit at Age 23 - and for the last 7 years I've been asking myself why I am still alive, living in this torment; this is hell without the fire. Having said that, I'm in no hurry to get to hell; I hope I live as long as I can - because that's time spent not burning in the lake of fire. I know though that the moment of my death, whenever it comes will be the most terrifying experience of my life. There's not a waking moment that goes by that I don't think about, & fear death; I could get cancer tomorrow (high risk in my case) or I could die suddenly somehow.

I know that my story may strike a chord with your emotions, as humans we always want to tell one another that there is hope, but the reality is that in this case there may not be hope. Please give me a straight and honest opinion; pray for the Spirit's leading prior to answering - please. Thank you.

My gosh, do I miss seeing the world through God's eyes; I miss the deep faith & assurance I once had. All that has been replaced by fear & unbelief.

What is the gospel? (post by Ladylene)

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:17:05 +1200

Good Morning. I would be happy to answer your question in the best way I can.

God created us to have relationship with Him and He loves us passionately. But sin keeps us from that relationship with Him. The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” That means that because God is Holy and we have sin in our life, we are headed for ‘death’. We are ‘shut off’ from Him because of it. There had to be a penalty paid for sin, an atonement for that sin so we could be in relationship with Him.

This is where the ‘good news’ comes in. The Bible tells us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross and take the punishment or penalty for our sin. Jesus did something that we could not do, He lived a life without sin and then died on the cross, shedding His blood to make atonement for our sin. God raised him from the dead three days later and showed us that ‘death’ is no longer our fate. John 3:16 in the Bible tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” That is great news for you and I. We are able to come back into relationship with Him, receive His love and live eternally with Him.

How do we accept this amazing gift from God? Simple. The Bible says “ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” and again that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. It is that simple … if you confess that you are a sinner and ‘repent’ of it (that means to turn away from it), believe that Jesus came and paid the price for your sin and ask Him to forgive you He will. The penalty for your sin will wiped away and God will come and have relationship with you. He will grant you eternal life .. wahoo! He will give you His Holy Spirit to help you while you are on this earth and when you die, instead of ‘eternal death’ you will have ‘eternal life’. Not just relationship with Him here on earth but an eternity spent with the Creator of the Universe, with God who is love! A truly amazing gift! And He gives it freely because He loves you and He longs for relationship with you :)

May I suggest you get hold of a Bible (if you do not already have one) and begin reading in the book of John so God can show you His love more clearly.
Blessings to you :)

What is the gospel? (post by Guest)

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 16:27:47 +1200

I'm only 8 but to me its like this, as we grow up bad things can happen and we feel bad about ourselves, and when people say bad stuff about us we get black holes in us and we start to believe the black holes. But then when God touches us He gives us a new heart and it tells us the truth, the holes are filled with truth, good news aye! And Jesus died on the cross, and his blood was shed, and then He rose again, so then we are forgiven for all of our sins and you feel this excitement bubble up in you and you know the bad things arent true. The truth is I am loved and saved. I am a son of God and He has a plan for my life. He gave me a heart for poor people and Hobos(people living on the streets), and orphans and one day I am going to be a missionary and tell them all about what God done for me and they can have it too, because thats Gods plan for me because He told me and shows me in dreams. My advice is buy a bible, read it and believe it and when you believe it, then live it (love everyone the same as you love yourself) and tell everyone the good news. ITS WORTH IT!

What is the gospel? (post by Gertie)

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:55:34 +1200

What is the gospel? (post by tinkerbell)

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:05:52 +1200

What is the gospel? (post by Guest)

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:51:59 +1200

To be forgiven for past sins, freed from the power of sin, and given new life under the lordship of Jesus Christ. (Obeying him)

What is the gospel? (post by Guest)

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 15:13:24 +1200

What is the gospel or good news that the Bible talks about?

Should Christians celebrate Easter? (post by terry)

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:52:55 +1200

Hi Jenelle,

Finally got through to website.

Very interesting presentation!

Thanks for pointing it out to me.

Should Christians celebrate Easter? (post by terry)

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:54:13 +1200

Hi Jenelle,

I have so far not being able to connect to the website address you have listed.

Sorry.

I'll keep trying.

Lord bless.

Should Christians celebrate Easter? (post by Guest)

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:27:07 +1200

Have you seen this video?

http://www.bible.net.au/flowplayer/example/index.html

How do I find out what God wants me to do next? (post by terry)

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:53:17 +1300

Hi David,

May I ask what it is about this post that makes you want to kill yourself?

Ta.

How do I find out what God wants me to do next? (post by Guest)

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:01:37 +1300

I wish to kill myself after reading this post... GOD HELP ME.

Guidelines for using this forum (post by terry)

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 14:54:37 +1300

This forum is reserved for you to write in what you believe the Holy Spirit may be saying to a wider audience than just yourself.

Each entry will be open to scrutiny by every logged-in supporter who so wishes, and commented on if so desired.

This forum is NOT to be used to make general comments or give opinions. It must be treated with respect and seriousness.

(post by harvey)

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:28:29 +1300

test

Ruth (post by terry)

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:37:58 +1300

Hi again,

Let's start with the sex bit. The Bible doesn't say one way or the other, but I doubt very much that Boaz and Ruth had sex the night in question. Both clearly displayed the highest of personal integrity elsewhere in the story: Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law even though she was faced with virtually no possibility (she didn't know about Boaz then!) of another husband or children. Boaz was obviously a seasoned bachelor, yet he was willing to forgo Ruth's approach to him in order to obey the law of the land, because there was a closer relative than him with the right to marry Ruth.

Under Jewish law, a woman who lost her husband through death was entitled to be taken care of by her deceased husband's next of kin. This law was to ensure her future protection, to make sure she was able to have children and to give her financial security.

Physical (read here sexual) attraction was not high on the agenda as it is in today's western society. The status and protection of a woman was of highest importance in the East. Ruth was entitled by law to approach Boaz as she did. Her approach was possibly both a marriage proposal and a challenge to him to consider her dilemma and do something about it.

The book of Ruth is considered to have a second meaning concerning Christ and us. Boaz representing Christ and Ruth representing us. The Bible states in John 6:37 that if we come to Jesus he will never reject us. So just as Ruth was permitted by the authority of the land to approach Boaz, so are we permitted by God's law to approach Jesus.

Hope this helps...

Lord bless.

Ruth (post by terry)

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:56:42 +1300

Hi there,

I think I have some answers for you, but would like to do a little more research first.

I'll come back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks for your patience!

Ruth (post by Guest)

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:39:57 +1300

I was reading this morning how Ruth was told to lie at Boaz's feet. Why did she uncover them, why at his feet, and did they infact have sex that night. From what I read about Boaz, I don't think he would do that to her. He seems too honourable. This book is generating more questions than answers!!!

Do I have to go to Church? (post by terry)

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:43:37 +1300

Hi susanf,

Churches are so often disappointing aren't they?

I think that we sometimes set our expectations too high. I think too that many Churches have the wrong sort of people in control.

Satan is absolutely committed to opposing anything that is of God, and the Church service is one of his favourite places to operate in. Unfortunately many leaders think that they are somehow immune from his attacks, and foolishly let their defenses down.

'Good' services will always be a spiritual battle. Perhaps you could go with the intention of helping someone else enjoy the time? There's always satisfaction in that.

If your Church is really bad, don't be afraid to ask the Holy Spirit if you could get out and look for somewhere better.

Lord bless

Do I have to go to Church? (post by susanf)

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:29:51 +1300

i struggle with this one. i feel a compulsion to go for a number of reasons - although i doubt that it comes even close to getting me near heaven! but i often come away from church feeling dissatisfied, that i have certainly not met God there, and often that i haven't learnt anything. I keep going, have tried lots of different churches, see it as a good discipline and also a great way to give my children an introduction to God outside of my own 'box'. I'm quite interested in the home church idea. Makes sense to me, but I have to admit I like the music and worship time that a big church offers too.

Help!!! (post by terry)

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:31:37 +1300

Hi,

Wow, some people are so self-centered aren't they?

What you have to do is stop this person's behaviour. If she doesn't stop her expectations when you request she do so, then you need to go to your boss. This sort of behaviour should come under harassment clauses that are cemented by NZ law in all employment contracts (assuming you live in New Zealand).

The christian part of you only applies to the 'how you do what needs to be done' not 'what you do....'. You can be nice about it, but you do have to be firm.

Your fellow employee is clearly out of line, and for both your sakes you need to act sooner than later. My understanding of employment law would suggest that she is breaking the law with her behaviour. She might be shocked to discover this!

Lord bless

Help!!! (post by Guest)

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 21:00:24 +1300

I am a receptionist at a physio clinic, and there is only one computer at work as there are only 4 people in total that work there. We are a very small company.I have a work colleague who seems to have no respect for where I have to work. I get that they do have to use my compter at times to book patients in. This co-worker will 'pounce' on to my chair as soon as I get off it, and then just sit there. I have to ask her to plz move so that I can do what I have to do and then she first wants a 'qiuck massage'. Now, I did start this on a few occations, but she expects one every day. And if I can't give her one,the world is coming to an end for her. I honousstly feel abused by her some days. I don't mind doing stuff for her, I just find myself getting angry with her on a daily basis, and as a christian I'm not too sure how to deal with this. Plz help.I have spoken to her concerning this, at which point she turned the argument back on me. She was the victim...what do I do.

Kabbalah etc.. (post by BIscuit3615)

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:50:42 +1200

Thank you for clearing that up for me...

Kabbalah etc.. (post by terry)

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:11:15 +1200

Hi Biscuit3615,

Kabbalah and Scientology are both forms of religion.

Therefore, the simple question is: What do they say/do about Jesus?

The answer is equally simple: Nothing that agrees with the Bible.

There are only two spiritual systems mentioned in Scripture - the Kingdom of God, and the kingdom of Satan.

Because neither Kabbalah nor Scientology honour Jesus as the Bible teaches should happen, they must belong to the kingdom of Satan.

Therefore I wouldn't have anything to do with them.

Thanks for asking.

Lord bless.

Kabbalah etc.. (post by BIscuit3615)

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:55:53 +1200

What is the Bible's view on kabbalah and scientology, if there is one, and how should I approach these topics?

the exodus (post by terry)

Mon, 10 May 2010 10:25:50 +1200

Hi there!

It's great to see you checking out stuff!

The name Red Sea is used in a number of modern translations, but doesn't fit the Red Sea that we know. The more accurate translation is Sea of Reeds.

There is considerable controversy over what area of water the Israelites did actually cross over, and I don't have any answers either.

Nor do I know why the Red Sea is continued to be used in translations, as it seems to be obviously incorrect.

Lord bless

the exodus (post by Guest)

Sun, 09 May 2010 20:08:40 +1200

Hi Terry, I am reading exodus and I am having trouble with the red sea story. No where in my Bible does it say that the Israelites crossed the red sea.They first went south to etham and then turned north to baal-zephron which is on the north coast by the nile delta and it is here that mention is made of the sea, not the red sea, parting . They are camped on the coast of the mediterranian sea. Also the routes they took do not show them going through any body of water. They are camped at baal-zephron when the waters parted.Was this the med that was parted ?I am reading exodus 13,17 through to chap 14.

loose and bind (post by terry)

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:18:03 +1200

Hi.

These words are found in two passages, Matthew 16:19, and 18:18.

The 1st reference is spoken by Jesus to Peter; the second is to do with the discipline of a Christian who is out of line and refuses to change.

My understanding is that binding and loosing were common Jewish words that simply meant forbidding and allowing.

If this is true, then Jesus gave great authority to Peter by telling him that whatever he allowed or forbade on earth would receive his (Jesus) backing from Heaven. Jesus then gave the same promise to the Church when discipline had to be implemented, this time subject to the safety criteria of needing two or more witnesses.

Unfortunately, much Church discipline doesn't follow the clear procedures laid down in Matthew 18, resulting in long lasting damage to everyone involved. The Catholic Church is currently in the middle of an immorality mess, and not handling it very well.

I use the binding (forbidding) process from time to time when dealing with demonic spirits, and have found it very effective, although it is never a permanent solution. My ultimate aim is to always get rid of demonic presence permanently, but sometimes there has to be an in-between stage where demonic activity needs to be shut down while more information is gathered, or whatever.

Trust this helps.

Lord bless.

loose and bind (post by Guest)

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:29:04 +1200

Hi Terry, can you tell me the meaning of to loose and bind as in to bind in heaven as you bind on earth.

I am who I am (post by terry)

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:12:40 +1200

Hi Verona

The best teaching I have ever heard on this issue was when a preacher suggested that God didn't need to give a name in answer to the question "who are you". The reason? He was the only one of his kind!

He went on to explain that names are generally given for identification purposes, and when there's just one of a species, only a descriptive, not personal, name is needed.

It's probably not accurate therefore to call yourself "I am" as there are many of us made in God's image.

Laying aside the spiritual connection though, it is a statement of truth to describe yourself as you've suggested. You are who you are. Just not uniquely so. If you are a female, for example, you share that attribute with 1/2 the planet!

Lord bless.

I am who I am (post by Verona)

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:55:05 +1200

God said "I am who I am"in Exodus 3:14. We are made in God's image.

Is it facetious for me to say I am who I am? (not meaning that I am on a par with Him: His "I am-ness"is far bigger than little me!)

Christs' separation by sin (post by terry)

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:39:54 +1300

Hi there.

Jesus and God were never not one (sorry for the bad grammar here!). In John 10:30 Jesus said, "I and the Father are one." And the same sort of thing is mentioned in a number of places in the Bible.

I have to say that there is considerable mystery about the separation that occurred between Jesus and God that I do not understand. I think that the cost of our sin upon Jesus was far more than we will ever grasp.

But for me, it helps me to understand this separation a little by using this illustration...

My wife and I have a number of children. They have the potential to go completely off the rails at any time. They may choose to become drug addicts, or criminals, or whatever.

If they did behave like this, they would likely end up in prison, which would enforce a separation between them and us. We could not visit them anytime we wanted. We could not take them on holiday with us. We could not have birthday parties together. So we would be pretty much separated.

BUT.... they would still be our children. Nothing can take away our blood relationship.

I see the cross work of Jesus like that. When he took my sin, your sin, and the sin of everyone else, the cost of that was relational separation from God. He did not lose his God nature however. It remained through the whole death, burial and resurrection process.

Hope this helps.

Lord bless

Christs' separation by sin (post by Guest)

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:20:49 +1300

Just reading a daily devotional about the crucifixion and how Jesus became sin and was separated from God. When and how did Jesus become one with God.