Hi Donna,
How are you this evening? Better grab a cup of coffee, this is a rather long response.
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Hi Dave, please let me say something upfront and to the point for starters. First, I do not preach any message, I answered a question.
We all preach a message by what we say and how we live, and yes your testimony in the beginning preached a message. It’s a beautiful message that paints an image of a god that simply does not exist. And if someone seeking God reads your message they might want to follow your god of “freedom without responsibility”. After all they could rape, kill, steal, and do all manor of evil and still stroll into Heaven in the end, because if they don’t get it right this time they will the next?
You keep saying, “my beliefs” and I keep trying to tell you and show you in God’s Word they are not my beliefs, they are God’s Words, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It’s the Word of God and I’m sorry it doesn’t fit with the image of your god. God warns in His Word that He is a very jealous God and He will not share His glory with any false gods.
How many gods of these other faiths have given their only begotten son as a sacrificial offering so that they may live?
How many other faiths have anything like the Bible? It was written over thousands of years by many different anointed men of God and yet it doesn’t contradict itself. Scientists today and over the past 100 years are just now discovering many of the things that the Bible stated as a fact thousands of years ago. Do you think imperfect men could write such a profound, accurate book of knowledge, wisdom and prophesy over that many years without the hand of the all knowing God?
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Second, not once did I say Jesus was prejudiced, I was saying it was you who are prejudiced. Maybe not in your beliefs but in how you view other beliefs.
Again, you are arguing with God’s Word, not me. I’m sharing with you what Jesus Himself said.
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Third, you do not offend me in any way and I do not take your posts in the least bit personal. You have your beliefs and I have mine. I accept that, you do not, life goes on.
My belief is that the Word of God is true and I share that Word with you. God’s Word and your beliefs are different, I accept that.
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You can post whatever scriptures you would like but you change nothing in the way I believe.
That’s not right, you call me closed minded? I share the Word of God with you and you won’t even consider it? The only thing you have shared with me so far is a vague description of a “anything goes” god you have fashioned in your mind, and call me closed minded because I won’t believe in him?
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I am very secure with my beliefs, I know I am one with God and I know others that do not believe the way you do are also one with God and I know also Dave that when the time comes, like it or not we will all walk beside you to the kingdom of God. You may choose to walk to the right or left of us, in front or behind but we will all get there together.
How do you know you are one with God, what makes you believe that? Is it just a warm, fuzzy feeling inside or is it more that that? Because Proverbs 14:12 says: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
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The difference Dave between you and I is that I am awed by the different beliefs of people in all religions, the power of God is very apparent in all faiths and just as strongly as you believe, we also believe. All of us.
The difference is I know and believe the Word of the true and living God and His Word says He doesn’t play that “many ways” to Him game. I know that’s not popular but it’s God’s Word and I accept it.
There is a one world government coming, and a one world currency, along with a one world religion that will produce a temporary peace, so you should fit in nicely.
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God has no right way and no wrong way to love him he only asks to be loved. That love cannot be defined by you or me or anyone else.
Actually that love is defined by God. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
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We are a very diverse world Dave, things are changing rapidly and we must change with them.
Are you saying that we humans today are way to smart and sophisticated to believe that old tired, wornout Word of God? Lol, no offense, but the finite mind of man will never surpass, equal, outgrow, or date the Infinite Mind and Words of God.
Matthew 24:35 Jesus says: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Here’s just a small glimpse of the Infinite Mind of God. This is what God said to Job when Job questioned Him.
Job 38
The LORD Speaks
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-
7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
8 "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'?
12 "Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.
16 "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.
19 "What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!
22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle?
24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm,
26 to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it,
27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass?
28 Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
30 when the waters become hard as stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen?
31 "Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion?
32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?
33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God's dominion over the earth?
34 "Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?
36 Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?
37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens.
38 when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?
39 "Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions
40 when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket?
41 Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?
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I never asked you to change your beliefs and see things my way, it is not important to me that you do. I only asked that you open your mind and see that your way is not the only way home.
Again, it’s not my way, but God’s, and God says the sacrificial death of His Son is the only way. He’s not going to open His mind and see it your way, perhaps you should stop beating your head against God’s Word and try to see it His way.
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You are putting stipulations on God's love and there are none.
Not I, but the Lord Himself has set boundaries. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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The scriptures that you are so fond of quoting are not my word and not the word of many others. The scriptures have changed many, many times over the centuries, they have been interpreted in many languages
What is it about the Word of God that gets under so many people’s skin? Is it because it is infallible and no man can stand before God’s wisdom and dispute Him? Why do so many people rebel against God’s authority?
Know that Almighty God watches over His Word, and it is His Holy Spirit that has guided the pen of these interpretations.
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and adapted to many life styles.
The Word of God never adapts to man’s life style, only his language.
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Your version has been interpreted from another version and so on. You believe in them as the word of God as many others like you do. I accept that and most people in other religions accept that. I respect that as do others. But the thing is that I do not believe that way and many others like me do not and you do not accept or respect our differences.
It really does bug you that I won’t accept your belief of any ol’ way to God will work, doesn’t it? I told you I can’t accept and approve that belief. Jesus is the one who died on the cross and was resurrected in three days, and He says He is the door to the Father and I believe Him and I keep His Words.
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That puts who in the position of trying to judge others?
God.
The Word of God does judge and discern. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
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I did not post an answer to your question Dave because I was confused or because I was looking for guidance. Quite frankly I posted because I am interested in other views on the subject of religion and how others believe. The more I learn, the closer to God I become. Just as you read scriptures from your bible that tells you I will surely go to your hell if I do not believe your way,
The Word of God speaks of a people that are always learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth, I pray you are not one. 2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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I can read scriptures and gospel from other religions that will refute your claim.
I’m open to hearing them, please post.
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You may believe I am headed to your hell because I do not believe as you do but I know in my heart that you could not be further from the truth.
I can’t tell you if you are going to Heaven or hell, I don’t know for sure what you believe or how you live. But if you are planning on going to Heaven without accepting Jesus as your Savior and picking up your cross and following Him, Jesus said it won’t happen.
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I feel it strongly in my heart and soul.
You shouldn’t base your beliefs in the god you decide to follow on your emotions. Just because you feel something strongly in your heart and soul doesn’t mean it is the living God. Instead base your beliefs on the very Words of the living God.
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The last thing I will say Dave is that if you as a preacher of God's word can not have compassion and understanding and acceptance of other beliefs in the world of religion, how can you expect anything different from our world leaders?
Two things, first this goes back to my first point, we are all preaching something. Because I posted a few message on this forum you assume I’m a preacher. I’ve never been to “Bible training” and haven’t been inside a Church in over 6 years and I’m not a “Preacher”, just an average follower of Jesus Christ. But you assumed correctly, we both are preaching our God. My God is the living God of the Holy Scriptures and your god is an “anything goes” god.
Second, God is all about compassion, understanding and acceptance even though He will not tolerate belief in other gods. He created man who sinned and rebelled against Him. Out of love He sent His Son to die on the cross for ALL of us. Jesus’ blood opened the door back to the Father, if people don’t accept the free gift of eternal life through Jesus, they will spend eternity in the lake of fire that was created for satan and the other fallen angels.
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Enough hatred and death and prejudice has gone on in the world, don't you think it is time for it to stop?
Who have I hated, who have I killed and who have I been prejudice against? I can’t stop the evil that is in another man’s heart, except I lead him to Jesus and the Lord will change his heart.
Because I tell you what Jesus says about other gods does that makes me the bad guy? I’m just the messenger, the message that ruffles your feathers is from God.
I’m starting to understand Matt. 10:24
Matthew 10:24-42
24. "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
25. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub (the devil), how much more the members of his household!
26. "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
27. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
28. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
30. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
33. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
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These wars are not God's doing because he is mad or believes one religion is right over another, it is all man made because they believe only their way is right and they have no room in their hearts for differences. They no longer see the love of God, they only see the win.
Jesus is the love of God that came manifested in the flesh, it is He that says He has no room for belief in other gods. Jesus never started any wars, He preached against living by the sword. And His true followers abide by His words and they have never started any religious wars. Men who go out and kill in the name of their religion are not of God and they too will spend eternity in the lake of fire.
Matthew 26:51-53
51. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
52. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Luke 22:51
But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.
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I have to wonder Dave, maybe God did not send me here to seek help and understanding from you as you seem to believe. Maybe just maybe God sent me here for you so you can clearly see that we are all one in God's eyes, no matter who we are or how we believe or even what we look like.
Lol, I laugh because I assume you are kidding. According to your words, your god doesn’t care how I believe, what I do or how I act… It’s all good to him so why would he want me to change anything?
What I’ve posted is the Word of God, and God says His Word changes not.
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No one is asking you to change your beliefs Dave, I am in no position to ask that of anyone, nor would I ever want to.
Again, my beliefs are the Words of Jesus, if they rub you the wrong way maybe you should take it up with Him. Pray and ask Him why He won’t be more tolerant towards other gods and other people with beliefs that He didn’t teach.
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There is a big world out there and so much love for God in all forms. That is a beautiful thing. That is the way of God.....
God expects and accepts praise and worship from all of His creation because He justly deserves it. The Scriptures say that if we didn’t praise Him, He would raise up the rocks to praise Him.
But He puts a stipulation on eternal life in Heaven with Him, He says enter through the door (Jesus) or you will be kicked out.
Think about this, if you gave your only son to die in someone else’s place and that someone thumb their nose up at your son’s death, didn’t care, didn’t appreciate it, went their own way and basically told you to kiss where the sun doesn’t shine, how would to feel?
No really, think about that. Because that is what God has done for mankind and that is the way a lot of mankind is treating Jesus’ death. God sacrificed His perfect Son Jesus to save us from our sins and to redeem us and keep us out of the lake of fire, and most of mankind is saying, yeah God, what ever! Why don’t you make 7-up yours and I’ll live my life any way I please, and when I get to Heaven I just know you’ll let me in because you love me.
God will say sorry but I abhor sin and sin cannot abide in My presence. I sacrificed my only begotten, perfect Son to buy back your freedom from sin and you flat out refused to accept my offer and died in your sins, and now it’s too late.
God absolutely hates sin and God said the price of sin is death. God is not a liar as man, He cannot lie. When God said the wages of sin is death that was it, period, end of discussion. That means somebody has got to die for your sins, either you or Jesus.
But wait just a minute, God is a loving God, He surely wouldn’t do that.
The Word of God says that “He is love”. But He has a zero tolerance policy for sin, it will not abide in His presence.
Ever heard the story of Noah and his Ark? God killed every man, woman and child on the face of the earth with a flood because of their sinful, evil nature. Except Noah and his family, God spared them because Noah was a good man and found favor with God.
Did you know that scientists can now prove that at one time water covered the entire face of the earth?
Genesis 6:5-8
5. The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
6. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
7. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them."
8. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
My job as a Christian is to love everybody and lead those that have “ears to hear” to Jesus, for He is the only way to everlasting life.
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We are all reaching for the same thing Dave and we will all receive it when our time comes. It is the way it was meant to be...Donna
I wish for your sake and many others that it was so, but it’s simply not true, no matter how right it may seem in your mind.
God bless you Donna, I do love you and I will be praying for you and your family.
See you tomorrow,
Dave