[Serereids]

Fellow Forum Friends, people may say, “If God is real, why doesn’t He show Himself?” He did, 2,000 years ago, when Jesus was born. He also lives today in the hearts of millions around the world--including me, an unworthy sinner.

The book of Hebrews, which for those who are not familiar with the Bible, is in the New Testament, has an extremely remarkable passage. It’s in the first chapter and in verses 10-12. Here is how it reads:

He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

IOW, the author of Hebrews was quoting and applying the wonderfully creative acts of Jehovah God as set forth in Psalm 102:25 27 (written hundreds of years prior to Jesus’ birth) to the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son. The connection with the Lord Jesus is made clear by reading Hebrews 1:8, “But about the Son….”

It is an understatement to say that the Lord Jesus was and is a “creationist” (see the other thread about creation science). He is, in fact, the Wonderful Creator. Many in the media, slighting Him, reiterate ad nauseam revolting words of evolutionary propaganda. It is encouraging to learn, however, that Truth Himself eventually will return to this earth, exposing every lie and myth (Psalm 96:13).

There are at least 175 other passages from the Bible that affirm that Messiah Jesus is God in human flesh. If you would like me to share more of them, let me know.

But let me conclude by saying that there is no more important issue for your welfare. You and I are both sinners, but Jesus is the Savior. His death on the cross can cover your sins because of who He is. If I died on a cross for you, it would mean nothing. I am a sinner, and a mere creature. Jesus was and is Perfect, and He is the Eternal Son of God. His blood can wash away your sins, and His righteousness can get you into heaven.

Read the wonderful prophecy of the Messiah in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah (23:6). It says the Name for the Messiah will be “Jehovah our righteousness”. His righteousness can become your righteousness if you trust in Him. Repent. That means humbly tell Jesus (in prayer) that you are sorry for messing up big-time, and ask Him to cover you in His righteousness. He will. He’s done it for me, and you and I are alike. We both need the Savior!

[bebeacc]

Hallelujah!!

[saerensenatljn]

I gave myself to Jesus once.

He never called me back.

[insightmike]

If the only people reading this thread want to belittle their Maker, then maybe I should discontinue my participation. However, there may be some out there who have lived long enough to realize that beauty fades and death approaches. If you are one of them, at least write to me privately, letting me know that you appreciated my first post and would not mind more.

There were people who mocked Christ when He walked this earth, and apparently there are those who want to mock Him in 2009. The Lord, however, is no wimp. He is not only the Savior; He is also the Judge of the Universe.

The Bible says that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. IOW, heaven is not the only place that exists in the future. Broad is the way that leads to destruction; narrow is the way that leads to eternal life. If people desire hell, then they should not complain when they arrive. God will only be giving them what they sought.

[allemnendup]

Doesn't seem to me that threatening people with eternal damnation is the best strategy for winning them over to your religious views, but that's just my opinion.

[RLRWai4B]

Doesn't seem to me that threatening people with eternal damnation is the best strategy for winning them over to your religious views, but that's just my opinion.

The Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of the Universe, spoke more about hell than any other biblical character. Are you suggesting that He should have used a different "strategy"? Are you suggesting I should not follow His example. The Apostles John, Paul, and Peter, also all warned of hell.

[beepbeet]

Doesn't seem to me that threatening people with eternal damnation is the best strategy for winning them over to your religious views, but that's just my opinion.

Actually, fear is one of the best arrows organized religions have in their quivers. It's the "just in case" theory that gets you in the door, then the rest of the dogma falls into place.

FWIW, I fully believe there is a higher power and that we don't just *poof* out of existence when the body fails, but organized religion has far too many human fingerprints on it to make me a dedicated subscriber of any sect. When those sects then tell me I'll be excluded from whatever comes next as punishment for not knowing what cannot be known with any certainty, it only serves to underscore why I stay away.

[FinanseMikky]

Paul,

I fully understand the solace you have found thru the miracle of Jesus.

You must understand that this is a message board. And many of us are highly cynical. If you can not accept that, than you are in for a boat load of frustration.

[alecaf]

Hi, Russ,

Allow me to respond to your words, “Actually, fear is one of the best arrows organized religions have in their quivers. It's the "just in case" theory that gets you in the door, then the rest of the dogma falls into place.”

Does that count for “just in case” you die? For thousands of years, everyone who has ever walked this earth has died. Unless the Lord returns soon, that will included you and me.

Now, can you think of a religion on earth that offers a solution to physical death—other than Christianity? You many think you know more than Jesus, but His church is still very much around. Sure, there are a lot of sinners in it. In fact, everyone of us is sinful. The church is not a museum for “goody-two-shoes”—but a hospital for sinners.

One set of “fingerprints” comes from hands that were nailed to a cross. It’s not just sects that warn, it’s the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Bible describes the person who trusts himself (instead of in the Lord) as a fool. Don’t be foolish. Jesus is not a “just in case.” His tomb is empty. The day of worship changed from Saturday to Sunday on a dime because of His real, historical resurrection. What other person in all history had 200+ prophecies about Him written hundreds of years before He came. Jesus is worthy of your attention. He fills your lungs every time you breathe and keeps your heart beating even when you sleep. Fall in love with Him. He’s the greatest!

Actually, fear is one of the best arrows organized religions have in their quivers. It's the "just in case" theory that gets you in the door, then the rest of the dogma falls into place.

FWIW, I fully believe there is a higher power and that we don't just *poof* out of existence when the body fails, but organized religion has far too many human fingerprints on it to make me a dedicated subscriber of any sect. When those sects then tell me I'll be excluded from whatever comes next as punishment for not knowing what cannot be known with any certainty, it only serves to underscore why I stay away.

[djmassk]

Crap, are you starting this up here to???

[johnuioyer]

Paul, how do you feel about Harold Camping?

[gypearteday]

Crap, are you starting this up here to???

ROFLMAO

[bestformaldress23]

maybe I should discontinue my participation.

excellent idea!

dude, we're not mocking god, we're mocking YOU

[Adimos]

excellent idea!

dude, we're not mocking god, we're mocking YOU

No, no - it took us this long to get Humber over here. It is like a touch of home. I don't know about anyone else, but I am glad he's here.

[posimoka]

Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick. Not here too!

[zdlupikkkdi]

Paul, how do you feel about Harold Camping?

Well, there have been two sensible posts since my last email. First, “my buddy” Sean wrote: “No, no - it took us this long to get Humber over here. It is like a touch of home. I don't know about anyone else, but I am glad he's here.”

Thanks, Sean. I realize the word “buddy” may seem like something of a stretch, but in contrast to others, your post was welcome.

Rain also asked a legitimate question. He/she wrote: “Paul, how do you feel about Harold Camping?”

I have mixed feelings. I think he is wrong about divorce. There are two biblical reasons for divorce, but I think he holds the absolutist position of not allowing for any divorce. The Lord, however, said that adultery could be a legitimate reasons for divorce.

Camping also predicted the second coming and was wrong. He thinks the church age has passed. Since I am a pastor currently, I obviously disagree with him.

I suspect, however, that he will be in heaven—not because he is perfect, but because the Lord is perfect. You do not have to have every doctrine right to get into heaven. You need to be under the blood of Christ, and under His righteousness.

I corresponded with Camping perhaps 10 years ago. We were not on the same page then.

A silver scroll dating to the seventh century B.C. and containing the Tetragrammaton, the four-letter name for God (YHWH), is pictured in Biblical Archaeology Review. This name, commonly transliterated Jehovah, designates the most important Person ever to walk this planet.

Each of us in his own way is special, but we are one among billions. But who is the most special? Who marks the dividing point of history? Who has impacted the arts more than anyone else? Who but the Lord Jesus Christ?

We think of Him perhaps as the greatest moral teacher of all time, but according to the Bible He is far more than a great moral teacher. Throughout its pages, Old and New Testaments alike, passage after passage affirms that He is God the Son, Jehovah God incarnate.

But what relevance does all this have for us? How does it relate to our own special quality? Why should we care who Jesus is?

There is an “s” word that makes many of us feel uncomfortable—sin. And there’s another “s” word that should make us glad—Savior. The Lord Jesus is the only Savior and wanted desperately to connect with us, the sinners. But how could a mere man save mankind? A mere man could not, but the Lord Jesus is also Jehovah God in human flesh.

This doctrine is not sufficiently understood by Christians. All should study this truth, not only to defend against error (1 Peter 3:15), but also for inward consolation. The Lord is greater than all our problems. His death on a cross was efficacious because of His divine majesty. No mere man could atone for the sins of the world.

A wealth of material throughout the entire span of Scripture is available to convince searchers (Acts 17:11) that Jesus is Jehovah God in human flesh. But there are many passages which affirm, directly or implicitly, that Jesus is Jehovah God. Yes, He is fully man, too, but lovers of God should “honor the Son just as they honor the Father” (John 5:23). The man Jesus obtained salvation for men because He was and is Creator Christ.

Maybe next time I’ll share a wonderful passage from the Old Testament.

[9uWzBx4l]

OH DEAR gOD NO!!!!!!

[RayFairhurst]

It's the Spirituality Forum...if you don't want to participate, then don't. Please allow Mr. Humber to continue with those who wish to participate. There are plenty of other sub-forums to play in.

[PIORARMADDERI]

Does that count for “just in case” you die? For thousands of years, everyone who has ever walked this earth has died. Unless the Lord returns soon, that will included you and me.

I am not clear on why physical death is feared. I s'pose those who don't live a good life may fear that some sort of punishment follows, and that is what organized religion capitalizes on. I have no fear of physical death. I don't go around looking for it, but I don't fear it. In fact many people - by the time it comes - actually look forward to it.

(My own particular belief in an afterlife & a beforelife and a natural system of karmic adjudication and adjustment notwithstanding.)

Now, can you think of a religion on earth that offers a solution to physical death—other than Christianity? You many think you know more than Jesus, but His church is still very much around. Sure, there are a lot of sinners in it. In fact, everyone of us is sinful. The church is not a museum for “goody-two-shoes”—but a hospital for sinners.

I claim to know no more about any of this than anyone, past or present.

One set of “fingerprints” comes from hands that were nailed to a cross. It’s not just sects that warn, it’s the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Bible describes the person who trusts himself (instead of in the Lord) as a fool. Don’t be foolish. Jesus is not a “just in case.” His tomb is empty. The day of worship changed from Saturday to Sunday on a dime because of His real, historical resurrection. What other person in all history had 200+ prophecies about Him written hundreds of years before He came. Jesus is worthy of your attention. He fills your lungs every time you breathe and keeps your heart beating even when you sleep. Fall in love with Him. He’s the greatest!

See, this is where you sort of go off the rails. The life and times of Jesus were reported by humans, well after the fact. Having been reported on by humans myself (not that I'm comparing myself to Jesus at all), I keenly understand how humans can get it wrong. Add to that the 2,000-year string of other humans (not always with the best intentions, as is the human condition) manipulating and choosing which particular accounts of those events current humans should read and adhere to, and your literalist faith is lost on me.

I'm glad you find peace in it, Paul. I find some peace in it as well. But there is no way it is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

[GDRussiayear]

Then can an admin install an "Ignore Thread" mod? I'd rather not see this thread constantly listed in New Posts.