Little Nipper

Here is what the Bible has to say 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. times to take a stand in Ephesians 6:11-17

I will not pursue this topic. However, I will say that I never get tired of talking about my faith/beliefs and attempting to support them with whomever would like to talk to me. It's just part and parcel of being a child of GOD. Historically, I see plenty of problems with Mr. Joseph Smith that would convince me that he was seeking to make a name for himself and nothing more. And the Book of Abraham has been evaluated by experts and isn't regarded as an honest translation of the now rediscovered Egyptian texts. This should totally undermine anyone trusting Mr. Smith's "godly" intention. My faith is in CHRIST alone and not in interesting various books nor questionable prophets. I've read and studied the Book of Mormon --- twice. And I find it much like reading BEN HUR, THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII, and QUO VADUS but not as well written... However, the previous are not regarded by anyone I know of as additional Bible text. They are novels, and no matter the intent of the authors, cannot be regarded as inspired. All this said, I feel biblically comfortable in promoting that the CHURCH is the body of ALL believers in CHRIST JESUS, as the only means of salvation. AND that no organization affiliation is necessary to accomplish this. That doesn't mean that believers shouldn't hang together, but one need not be a Roman Catholic, a Methodist, a Pentecostal, a Baptist, etc., to somehow acquire necessary points with GOD.

Well, I do not believe that I will be able to create living things. I do believe that we are endowed with the ability to design and think out rationally. I believe GOD has always existed and will always exist. And while I do believe GOD created man to live eternally, I do not believe that any of us has always existed nor are humans related by birth to GOD (though we can become adopted children of GOD). I also note that a believer can become CHRIST like in HIS image; however. being like CHRIST and actually becoming as HIM are entirely two different things. Note the following verses: 2 Corinthians 3:18: "We are being transformed into [Christ's] likeness" Romans 8:29: "God predestined [all believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son" 1 John 3:2: "When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" Ephesians 4:22-24: "Take on an entirely new way of life – a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you" Philippians 2:5: "In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus" This informs me that our behavior will reflect that of JESUS CHRIST and yet it would appear that CHRIST took on a human form and identity in order to save that which was lost. In doing so CHRIST emptied HIMSELF and HE took on the character of a servant. Note: that JESUS while GOD prays to the FATHER and eventually had to leave so the the HOLY SPIRIT could come to reside within the heart/soul of those who have come to place their faith in GOD through CHRIST for their salvation and eternal security. I firmly believe the Bible (Old & New Testament) is the revelation of CHRIST and that any additional "revelation" will not occur until the lost have been judged and GOD has created a NEW heaven and NEW earth. Aside from that the thing we need to be concerned with is reaching the lost with the GOOD NEWS which is the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST for our salvation. I maybe skating on thin ice when I say that the Bible clearly states that any prophet that has made ANY predictions that are false, that that individual is a false prophet. A prime example: Ezekiel 13:9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Where does it say in the Bible that we can become like GOD. It is possible to be conformed to the image of CHRIST, but the reality is that Satan wanted to become like the most high and even tried to convince Adam and Eve that GOD was withholding information from them so that they could become like GOD. That didn't go well for him (nor them). I am firm in my belief that GOD will always and forever know infinitely more than anyone else because HE is the CREATOR and we are but HIS created creatures. That is the only possible with regards to an all omnipotent GOD. There are no other GODS --- there is but one and GOD is triune (an eternal loving being between the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT.

I thought that you all might a rendition of COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING. In this case it was recorded in an Ohio prison sung by an Amish youth choir in the 1990's.

Since you all seem to love this old Christian hymn as do I ---- I thought that you might enjoy reading what it means and who wrote it: https://imperfectdust.com/blogs/news/from-doubt-to-worship-the-history-of-come-thou-fount-of-every-blessing

He did say that his grandmother didn't like that Billy Graham said one must be born again. What did she think of JESUS saying it?

I do pray and have had numerous answers to prayer. I pray that people get well, that others come to know the LORD, and for understanding of difficult Bible passages. I pray for needs, special requests, and for family and friends. I do like to talk with the LORD. Another reason to pray to the LORD is to thank and worship HIM. One doesn't need a reason to talk with a friend ---- can that be any less true with GOD?

I enjoy anything that has to do with Bible Study. I'm a born-again Christian and love sharing the Scripture with others who feel the same.

Billy Graham is not the one who originally coined the phrase "BORN AGAIN". It was Jesus Christ and here is the Bible passage: John 3:1-21 English Standard Version 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

And your statement above is supported by which verses of the Holy Bible.

From a biblical standpoint, I feel that the doctrine that the FATHER, CHRIST, and the HOLY SPIRIT together are ONE GOD is the key to understanding exactly who CHRIST is, and how HE has the ability to save individuals from their sinful nature.