Hello Girls!
I wanted to address some subjects that have come up on the forum. More will be added soon! Please remember that we are here to help you in your walk with Christ and we are here to help you in your health struggles. We are in no way condemning you and I hope that you know that we are here for you in compassion, in humility and in God's word. If you have any questions, please email me theendoclub@adelphia.net and feel free to ask me to pray for you ok.
Lori
I wanted to address some subjects that have come up on the forum. More will be added soon! Please remember that we are here to help you in your walk with Christ and we are here to help you in your health struggles. We are in no way condemning you and I hope that you know that we are here for you in compassion, in humility and in God's word. If you have any questions, please email me theendoclub@adelphia.net and feel free to ask me to pray for you ok.
Lori
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This site is for those who are suffering to come to for support and encouragement, yet this page may offend some of these very same women. So, why put it here? What about what Paul said about Christians striving to ‘keep the unity’?
The same Paul who talked about keeping unity is the same Paul who wrote about Peter, a fellow Christian: ‘But when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed…’ (Gal. 2:11), and ‘But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you….” ‘ (Gal. 2:14). Paul publicly rebuked Peter because Peter was not following true doctrine. Paul must not have equated rebuking a fellow Christian with not keeping unity.
This same Paul who wrote about keeping unity, upon finding out that some others were teaching falsely, met with and disputed with them. Acts 15:2 says, ‘Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question’. There was ‘much dispute’ in this meeting, so Peter got up and preached the truth, and they all ended up making an agreement based on truth (Acts 15:7-20). Paul and Peter must not have believed that standing firmly for truth was divisive or unloving, but absolutely essential to the church.
In 1 Corinthians, chapter five, Paul writes to the church about their allowing sexual immorality to go on, without doing or saying anything about it. Paul understands biblical judging when he says, ‘For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged…’ (1 Cor. 5:3), and again in verse 12 where he writes, ‘For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside (outside of the church)? Do you not judge those who are inside’? He also writes in verse 11, ‘But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother (says they are a Christian), who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person’. These are very strong words. In Romans 14:10 though, Paul questions those who judge their brother. So what is the difference? Why does Paul condone judging another Christian in his letter to the Corinthian church, but condemn it in the letter to the Romans? The answer is in the text. The Corinthian church was condoning sin, which needs to be judged rightly and rebuked, and the Roman problem, in this case, was simply one person regarding a certain day or holiday above another…hardly doctrine or sin.
There are many, many cases in the New Testament where Christians are called to judge, rebuke, correct, warn, exhort, admonish, or separate. Although the beginnings of the church were unified, when they all sold their possessions and gave to one another, shortly thereafter, since Christians will not be perfect until Heaven, the problems began. That is why most of the letters in the New Testament were written. To teach, correct, rebuke, or encourage. At the risk of being accused of being unloving, the truth about the Faith Movement (see the faith healing page) must be told. It is much more than just the healing part of the teaching that is wrong. Those who are saved have the unity of the Spirit; that is true. We can agree on that, but it does not mean that we are to remain silent or be weak toward false teaching.
Jill Mary
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Premarital Sex:
As Christians (followers of the Lord Jesus Christ), we are called to "Speak the truth in Love" and try to restore a sister/brother. Many times unfortunately we will be attacked for standing up for the truth. We are going against "the world" and it's ways and the world will come against us. If this happens, I am reminded to "Let God be our defender"
As Christians (followers of the Lord Jesus Christ), we are called to "Speak the truth in Love" and try to restore a sister/brother. Many times unfortunately we will be attacked for standing up for the truth. We are going against "the world" and it's ways and the world will come against us. If this happens, I am reminded to "Let God be our defender"
I took notes as our pastor was talking about this a few months ago. Here is what he said along with some of my writing:
Regarding pre-marital sex: Is Love the basis for sacrificing the truth? Please remember that God put His laws here to protect us. He knows what is best! We are only hurting ourselves by going against His word(the Bible).
I wish someone had explained it to me this way instead of them saying to me "Dont do it.." I was having relations with my boyfriends and I lived with my husband before marriage. Besides needing to be pointed to the Lord to be saved, it would have saved me so much heartache and other things that come up later in life that I really do not want to explain.
God judges sexual sin differently than other sins. It leaves a fingerprint and leads to hardening our hearts against God. Here is a verse on it: Flee sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually, sins against his own body. 1 Corinthins 6:18
We are hurting our own souls by going against God's word. God's love is Holy. He loves you and is trying to keep you out of harms way. Please uphold God and wait until marriage. I plead with you to turn from this and turn instead to the Lord Jesus Christ and his loving ways.
The pastor also said: Is love the basis for going against God's rules? Some things to think about: If it were, so many other things would be ok - like adultery and many other things that may feel good, but are against God. How do we know that there is love in the relationship if sex is in the way? How do we know if it is true love? True love waits...
Lori
Lori
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I realize I am walking on eggshells here. I will be going against the flow. I may be called 'closed-minded', 'unloving', or worse. However, the same Holy Spirit that caused ordinary men to pen the words we find in the scriptures, is being stirred right now.
I had a child with my boyfriend many years ago. I lived with a man I was not married to. I am not without experience nor without compassion. Yet out of a grateful heart to God for His saving me and making me a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), I want to spread His truth when He presents circumstances or people to me to do so. I am no different than Moses or Paul. Moses murdered a man, yet God used him to give the 10 commandments to others. Paul murdered Christians, yet after his salvation, it was he who God used extensively to preach truth to the Gentiles. God has called those born-again to the work of reconciliation and has written that 'All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness', (2 Tim. 3:16).
Jesus showed great compassion yet was direct when it came to sin. To the Samaritan woman in John 4:17b-18 Jesus says, "You have well said, 'I have no husband', for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." In John 8:11, Jesus says to the woman caught in adultery, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." He does not equate condemning with telling her she was sinning. Neither did He equate telling her not to sin any longer with condemnation. He simply spoke the truth. It was her choice whether or not she obeyed. He showed great compassion and grace. He saved her from being stoned to death!
When a person repents and is saved, they are referred to as the 'bride of Christ' in the Bible. You see this picture of us being His bride throughout the old and new testaments. When the Israelites disobeyed God or worshipped idols, God called it adultery and fornication. Here is an excerpt from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary:
'Fornication - sexual relationships outside the bonds of marriage. The technical distinction between 'fornication' and 'adultery' is that adultery involves married persons while fornication involves those who are unmarried. But the New Testament often uses the term in a general sense for any unchastity. Of the seven lists of sins found in the writings of the apostle Paul, the word fornication is found in five of them and is first on the list each time (1 Cor. 5:11; Col. 3:5). In the Book of Revelation, fornication is symbolic of how idolatry and pagan religion defiles true worship of God (Rev. 14:8; 17:4).'
I looked up the Greek word which is translated 'fornication' and here is what I found:
1. 'porneia' - harlotry (including adultery and incest)
2. 'porneuo' - to act the harlot/ to indulge unlawful lust
3. 'porne' - strumpet/an idolater
2. 'porneuo' - to act the harlot/ to indulge unlawful lust
3. 'porne' - strumpet/an idolater
We get our word 'pornography' from this Greek word.
These are some strong words. They will offend, but when I got saved and was still living with my boyfriend, my new Christian friend boldly told me it was wrong. I told her we were not having sex, and we weren't because we felt convicted, but she went so far as to say that she was on her way over to pick me up and that I could live with her. I barely knew this girl, hadno money, no job, no car, no family in the area and no friends. I now can never thank her and another Christian enough. They stood firm on God's word to me and never wavered. My husband strongly disbelieved what they were saying (he was also a new Christian), and I realized that I could possibly lose him if I walked out that door. I took the chance. God had so filled me with His Spirit and my love for Him was stronger, so I packed up a little bag and left. I have never regretted it. We seperated for several months and I lived with other women from church, mostly total strangers, and ate their food. This was very humbling to say the least. Yet the whole time my relationship with God grew leaps and bounds, and that is what life is all about...my relationship with Him.
Praise God
Jill Mary
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Do you want to know Christ? Billy Graham explains it here:
http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp
http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp
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I used to do Yoga quite often. I just did not know about this:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/011/10.78.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/011/10.78.html
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Meditate on God's word. That is a good thing!!!
Jos 1:8 " This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Ps 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Ps 63:6 " When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches."
Ps 77:12 "I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings."
Ps 119:15 " I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."
Ps 119:23 " Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes."
Ps 119:48 " My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes."
Ps 119:78 " Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts."
Ps 119:148 " Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word."
Ps 143:5 "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands."
Isa 33:18 "Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?"
Lu 21:14 "Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:"
1Ti 4:15 "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all
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Tolerance??
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15, KJV)
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place -- Ephesians 6:14
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;-Romans 1:16a
Luk 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
I thought this was a great article:
Offend Thy Neighbor??
If you decided to read this article, the title must have grabbed your attention. Doesn’t the Bible say “love thy neighbor?” Have you been offended by my blatant alteration of God’s highest commandment? Well, my intention was not to offend the reader, but to prove a point. In many cases, Christians who speak the truth in love will offend many people. If you truly love your neighbor, you will not compromise the truth just to keep from offending someone. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, and I unabashedly exclaim that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Christians need to stand up for what they believe in; we have nothing to hide. Jesus spoke on matters of morality and belief freely and without reservation because he had a genuine agape love for the souls of His listeners.
Many Christians today seem to be ashamed of what their Bible says. The Word of God thus becomes nothing more than the words of God; they are treated as holy texts that have some bearing on issues regarding the character of God, morality, and salvation, but not final authority. After all, claiming that the Bible alone contains the key to eternal life and that Jesus is the only way to the Father is rather offensive, isn’t it? How could anyone ever be more close-minded and intolerant than us “fundamentalist” Christians? Well, I can tell you about a man who would take on all these labels and some if He were alive today, and His name is Jesus Christ.
Some people have this conception of Jesus as this nice man who went around healing people, comforting them, and preaching good morals to them. Now, there is no question that Jesus was an incredibly caring individual who had amazing things to say about morality. Scripture tells us that God is love and that He laid down His life for us. But if all Jesus Christ did was go around healing and helping people in need, He would not have aroused the anger of the Jewish authorities to the point of wanting Him crucified! We tend to forget one of the most important characteristics of Jesus: He was righteous. Jesus spoke with authority to the Jewish leaders of His day, overthrowing their traditions and establishing His own interpretation of the Law. This, coupled with His claim to be God and the sole path to Heaven, was plenty enough reason to label Him a blasphemer deserving of death. Let me assure you that if Jesus were to come today, He would be the first to be labeled as close-minded, arrogant, and intolerant, among many other names.
Often times, Christianity is reduced to nothing more than being “nice” to everyone and accepting them as they are. It is viewed as un-Christian to hold any views that the world would consider intolerant or offensive. But should this stop us from spreading the truth? The world would have us believe that it is wrong to push our beliefs on other people; that we should respect others and “live and let live.” But is it really “loving” to leave people uninformed about the sinfulness of their actions or the reality of Jesus Christ as Savior, all in the name of “tolerance?”
What has always struck me as interesting is that people who advocate such “tolerance” think that their view is the only logical remedy for the fruits of rigid intolerance. But what exactly is intolerance? Most people in this camp would say that intolerance is what causes events like the Holocaust, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition. They go from one extreme to the next: either you accept that everyone has their differences and respect their right to believe/practice what they want (tolerance), or you violently persecute them (intolerance). Unless you accept their view of tolerance, you are labeled as intolerant, and sometimes even hateful! This only reveals the inconsistency of their thinking: if they can be tolerant of differing viewpoints on morality, religion, and salvation, why can’t they tolerate my belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father without labeling me as intolerant? This doctrine of alleged “tolerance” reeks of hypocrisy.
Dictionary.com defines tolerance as “the capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.” Additionally, it defines close-minded as being “intolerant of the beliefs and opinions of others; stubbornly unreceptive to new ideas.” According to these definitions, Jesus would surely be both intolerant and close-minded! He never once compromised His message to the point of crucifixion. How many of us are willing to be so bold? Would we risk being called intolerant and close-minded for the sake of Christ’s message of salvation, let alone die for it? It’s a question every Christian should ask themselves around the clock. One thing is for sure: God is not a secret, and He commands us to spread the Gospel whenever and wherever we can. Jesus didn’t kill people for not believing in Him or start a religious war, but He also didn’t have any problem with telling people that they were dead wrong.
I do not mean to insinuate that Christians should go out of their way to offend people or cause arguments where they are inappropriate; we are to share the truth in love. However, if the end result is that we offend others, it is still better to have shared the truth than to have remained silent, especially on such issues as morality and salvation. Sometimes “loving thy neighbor” means that we must inevitably “offend thy neighbor” in the process. We have the best news that has ever graced this world to spread to others: the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world!
http://www.eternalsecurity.us/kyle.htm
http://www.eternalsecurity.us/kyle.htm