 |
Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Theological Q&A > (No Subject)
| Forum Quick Jump
|
| 
selah
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1210
| Posted Yesterday 9:18 AM (GMT -6) |   | 1Thes. 5
1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
Nelson Mandela:
We join people in your country and around the world in congratulating you on becoming the President-elect of the United States. Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place. We note and applaud your commitment to supporting the cause of peace and security around the world. We trust that you will also make it the mission of your presidency to combat the scourge of poverty and disease everywhere. We wish you strength and fortitude in the challenging days and years that lie ahead. We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream, making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all.
- Full text of a message from Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa, to Senator Barack Obama, the first black president-elect of the United States of America. (Source: The New York Times)
Obama? Maranatha!
Well, what about that? 
"When one has once fully entered the realm of love, the world — no matter how imperfect — becomes rich and beautiful, it consists solely of opportunities for love."
~ Soren Kierkegaard
| | Back to Top | | |
 |
One Love
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888
| Posted Yesterday 10:57 AM (GMT -6) | | Hmmm...so when the "signs of the times" occur, we need to focus on what?
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Man...
That "praying continually" keeps coming up.
Let's pray for our leaders! 
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
"I love, therefore I am in I Am." | | Back to Top | | |
|
One Love
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888
| Posted Yesterday 11:02 AM (GMT -6) | | If American evangelical Christians [Right, Centrist, and Left] "lived in peace with each other", did not seek to "pay back wrong for wrong," and decided to "try to be kind to each other and to everyone else" (along with the blatently stated will of God in 1 Thes 5:16-18 and the Great Commandments)...and dedicated a solid 50% of the time, energy, and resources we have to promoting the same...
...what would America be like?
Regardless of WHO'S in office.
And...if this were to take place...
would there be any context for "American evangelical" or "born-again" believers (of any stripe) to be largely ASSUMED to be mean-spirited, self-righteous, judgemental, and narrow-minded, like it is now?
Yeah...just some thoughts...
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
"I love, therefore I am in I Am." Post Edited (One Love) : 11/7/2008 10:24:32 AM (GMT-6) | | Back to Top | | |
|
One Love
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888
| Posted Yesterday 11:19 AM (GMT -6) | | As believers, if we cannot at least dedicate a reasonable amount (50%) of our time, resources, and energy to pursuing character development in the CLEARLY STATED DIRECTIVES of Scripture mentioned above...BEFORE trying to "serve the world" and "save people"...
...what makes us think that we, as believers, have the character and/or authority to tell ANYONE ANYTHING about moral issues?
Maybe AFTER we get the "rejoicing always" , "praying continually" , and "being THANKFUL at all times" down...maybe THEN we can try to get into the moral uplift department...
Maybe...
For real though...
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
"I love, therefore I am in I Am." Post Edited (One Love) : 11/7/2008 10:22:12 AM (GMT-6) | | Back to Top | | |
|
One Love
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888
| Posted Yesterday 12:06 PM (GMT -6) | | Hey, I'm getting an idea.
Maybe this SHOULD be a litmus test for Christian believers. It's fairly clear. Definitely biblical. And it seems to be non-negotiable to any meaningful orthodox Christian faith. And a litmus test is obviously needed...
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the (stated) will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
and...
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
Hmmm...
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
"I love, therefore I am in I Am." Post Edited (One Love) : 11/7/2008 11:09:35 AM (GMT-6) | | Back to Top | | |
|
One Love
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888
| Posted Yesterday 12:47 PM (GMT -6) | | To the angel of the Church in America, write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. (OL's Note: "Forgetting" the Love of God in Great Commandment; 1 John 3:17-18, 4:19-21) Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
"I love, therefore I am in I Am." Post Edited (One Love) : 11/7/2008 11:50:10 AM (GMT-6) | | Back to Top | | |
| Forum Information | Currently it is Monday, November 09, 2026 3:41 PM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 97,718 posts in 6,040 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 0 new threads and 0 reply posts. View Active Threads
|
Forum powered by dotNetBB v2.42EC SP3
dotNetBB © 2000-2026 |
|
|