there is a saying, "whoever is thirsty, let him come and take from the waters of life"\n\ndo you believe that everyone is thirsty for *a true relationship* with your god- *jehovah* or *yahweh*?  many of you have stated that unbelievers are void inside.\n\nI have known your god, *I have even been a Pastor* but am no longer among those of your god.  why do you think such are void within?
135544
I've been on the other side where I thought that people who didn't believe in god must feel lost.  (I was raised to think they are evil.)  So, I can kinda understand why some religious individuals think that non-believers feel some sort of void or are immoral.  However, I also view that stance as an immature belief.  It doesn't take a lot of looking around to realize that agnostics and atheists are very content with their worldviews and live ethical lives.
655026
I have no problem with non-believers here.  I am not insulted by your presence; in fact, this may be the perfect setting for you.  I pray that God would speak to you in some way that you would believe in Him.  True Christians do not condemn others, however, love them and avoid saying hurtful things. However, I will not refrain from expressing how I feel about my personal relationship with God and how He has carried me through many difficult times.
566594
Believer: "I prayed for a new job, and God provided me one!"\n\nSkeptic: "How do you know it wasn't just coincidence?"\n\nBeliever: "There are no coincidences--everything happens for a reason, and when I pray, it is answered."\n\nSkeptic: "Every time?"\n\nBeliever: "Well, no, not every time. Sometimes it is not God's will that I have what I ask for."\n\nSkeptic: "How do you know it isn't God's will?"\n\nBeliever: "Because he didn't answer my prayer!"\n\nDo you see how this works? It's circular reasoning at its finest. It's also a matter of counting the hits and discarding the misses. Every coincidence simply reinforces the believer's conviction that prayer (or spell castings or whatever) works, while the unfulfilled wishes are simply brushed off with, "Oh, it wasn't God's will."  If I want a new job, and I set out to get it, and I actually get it, I don't attribute it to the workings of some higher power. A believer, in the same circumstances, would do so, and there is no good reason why they should.  Coincidences happen a million times a day, all over the world, to believers and unbelievers alike. It means absolutely nothing.
69853
(kurter21 said the same thing I did... only shorter, so if you don't feel like reading my long post, read his short post)\n\nWell, there is a Father in Heaven, who is our God.  We are all his children.\n\nThen there is Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God in the flesh, meaning that God was his "biological" father.  He is a god.\n\nSome people believe that we are Jesus' children.  In a spiritual sense, that is true, but in a literal sense, it is not.  We are his "children" in a spiritual sense, because he has taken care of us (through his teachings, the Atonement, the Crucifixion, etc...)\n\nAs far as the THIRD part of it... there is also the Holy Ghost (also commonly known as the Holy Spirit).  The Holy Spirit is not the LITERAL spirit of God or of Christ, but he is a part of the "Godhead" as well.\n\nSo the Godhead consists of three separate beings, the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost.\n\nAs far as believing in the worship of only ONE God, we worship the Father.  We do not worship Jesus Christ.  I know that sounds kind of funny... but here goes...  we follow his teachings, and follow in his footsteps, but when we pray, we pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and not to Jesus Christ himself.\n\nHope that makes sense.  Let me know if it doesn't, and I can see if I can clarify it.
381162
God only put us here to be toys of amusement for him. He enjoys watching people suffer. Just think about it for a minute...supposedly he is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-...whatever. Yet he allows this world to be infested with disease, famine, war, death, and horrors beyond imagination. Now, how can you call a god who does all these things loving and expect him to do anything for you. People who always turn to god to help them in their struggles are just trying to find someone else to fix their mistakes. They can't handle the fact that their god probably doesn't like them. God allows all these atrocities on earth to occur and doesn't lift a finger. The question you should really be asking is "Why do I worship a god that does not care?" God did not give us free will. And as far as free will in the respect to god goes, if it had not been for Satan, we would all be wandering around in complete servitude without even realizing we were slaves. By tempting Eve to eat that apple, if you believe the story, he gave us the ability to realize our slavery. Furthermore, anyone who says that we have free will given by god should examine their religion further. How can it be free will when he says that to disobey him will result in a tormenting eternity of fire and brimstone? Are these really choices...slavery or fire? I will thank God for nothing. My thanks go to the god of the underworld for giving me the knowledge to know these lies as they are.
623731
I would be curious to see what your friend thinks of this scripture from 1 Corinthians 5:12-14...\n\nFor what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”\n\nShe is wrong. Yes. But you are also wrong for basing your salvation on what other people say or do. This will be no excuse in the last day. We must base our self examination with CHRIST as our standard. And without God's grace and mercy, we would all lose, wouldn't we?\n\nYoda Green - I suppose you are an example of the non-judgmental?
124699
I am not a great believer in the God theory, so I'm not surprised that he/she hasn't been back since the old biblical days.\nIf there is a God, perhaps he doesn't like what he sees, and has washed his hands of the whole mess.
257985
yep, God is more into successfull people. he is probably getting bored with all those hungry people begging and praying all the time.\n\ni guess i would have to come to the same conclusion as you have. else it would mean that God is horrible creature, so, i prefer thinking that he doesn't exist at all.
440909
More importantly, and I suspect this is what you're getting at, why would a god who wants worship set himself up to be totally illogical and irrational? I think that if there was a god controlling it all, we'd be somehow predispositioned to believing in him, rather than having to ignore all logic and reason just to get into heaven.
67917
I was sad to see all the hateful and negative comments you got on this question earlier. Maybe you hit a nerve. Yes, God wants us to pray for unbelievers and believers, anyone who the Spirit puts on our hearts to pray for. It is His will that we do this. If we ask anything according to His will... He also says not to be anxious. The Spirit is the one that convicts of sin, that brings their heart to repentenance. It's not our job, it's His. All we are called to do in bringing someone to the understanding of who Christ is, is to be is who we are and share our testimony of who He is to us.\n\nFaith is the assurance of hope. Only they can keep or strenghten their faith. We can not do this for them. We can share our faith, and what God has said of it. Share the chapters listed below in the book of Hebrews. Thank God for using you in this way. Give Him the praise and the glory, for it is by His grace and mercy alone that He will touch their hearts, just as He touched yours. May God bless and encourage you, as you share His love and your own love for others.
292609
what is the reference of this verse. i want to read the whole thing before it and after it, not just picking a verse from the middel\n\nbut you are correct. we all are brother of blood, we should remain in peace with each other regardless what governments do. we all worship One God.
25043
I have waited to answer this question to see what others would say. It is interesting. Unless you have a personal relationship with me, you really do not know me, just "about me", which is the same thing with Jesus. \nI genuinely thank those who spoke such kind and gracious words, I am humbled and grateful. \nOK, to answer, we will start at the beginning. I have always assumed there was a God. I was raised initially in the Catholic church, but I did not like the repetitive rituals or the standing when the priest walks in. My mother did not force me to continue the Catechism classes, and I continued my search for God into my teens. \nOn Thanksgiving evening, 1970, I was cruising in my friend Steve's 1955 T-bird around the towns surrounding Eglin AFB, Florida. We walked around an old cemetary and we got to talking about the spirit world. It sort of gave me the shivers. Steve asked me if I had ever been "saved". What is that? It is asking Jesus Christ into your heart. Something inside me said, "Isn't that what you have been looking for all your life?" That night, I asked Jesus into my heart and to be my Lord and Savior.\n\nMy approach to the Bible changed over the years. Before I met Jesus, it was a confusing array of religious writings and myths. \nAfter I met Jesus, it became a curious array of religious writings that may be true. \nAfter receiving the Holy Spirit a year later, it became personal love letters to me. \nDuring my high school years, it became a book of do's and don'ts that I could not quite live up to. \nDuring my college years, I came upon my mentor Chuck Smith, of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, who guided me through the Bible, verse by verse. The Bible became my life and foundation for living.\nDuring my single working years, I graduated to my next mentor Chuck Missler, who showed me the importance of types, how the old relates to the new, how the Bible is an intrigate message by One author. The Bible WAS and proved to be the Word of God! \nFive years under him and other great teachers, and I married Julie (Juliart). I was have been blessed to pass on all I have learned her and to my children and also to people stuck in cults, those confused by manipulative religions, and see the freedom the Word of God brings. \nThirty five years since that night in Florida, I have decided to pass all I have learned on to you. But in all things, be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11. Receive everything I have to give with joy, but check the scriptures daily to see if these things are true. I consider what I impart here as "Handfuls Dropped on Purpose" (see study below).\n\nSo to answer this question once and for all. I am just like my other fellow Christians who just love the Bible and have a personal walk with its Author. An old Jesus Freak from the 70s who's life's motto is...\n\n"Have Bible, Will Babble."\n\npregowtwins-Julie cracked up at your post. I could hear her across the house!\nmikeiam20-Your post reminded me of a line in Close Encounters. "Einstein was probably one of them." (looking at the alien mothership) ;)
657728
YES,  I would like to say welcome into the family.  I have been water baptized years ago, but I have been speaking in my heavenly language for a few years now.  It is the one true way you can talk to God and no one else knows what you are saying but Him.  It is your inter most thoughts and feelings about your wants, needs and desires.  Make it a point to do so everyday to stay connected to Him in a special way.
431938
Dear Victoria:\n\nYes, some of our Churches are Trinity based, and some Jesus based.  The difficulty arises from Creation.  \n\nGod Created in His Own Likeness - for He knew only Himself.\nHe is Spirit-Mind. We are part OF Him , but not Him.  We, in our Ultimate Reality live within the folds of His Spirit essence which fills all space and dimension.\n\nIn non-denominational teachings I have learned that at the point of Separation, God Created the Holy Spirit, Who has never taken physical form.  In His purity, He is Created as we were and like US - as we were before we arose in physical form on Earth.\nHis "duties" are to be our Conscience, (intuition) our Guide and our Comforter.  \n\nJesus is a brother and was Created as we have been.  As one of us, he answered the Call that the Holy Spirit put out through the entire Kingdom - for the one that would teach the Father's Nature for the Remembrance of our Identity.  And, the one who would demonstrate the Reality of Soul/Spirit and our Eternal-ness.  His "duty" was to Teach and  jog our memories of the Father, and reflect His Nature.\n\nAll three are Created Beings as ourselves - with certain functions to perform while we are in Separation.  They guarantee our ability to Return to the Creator and end the Separation.\n\nWhether the Bible says it, or not, the Reality of our Selves is that we are OF God, but not Him.  Since some doctrines espouse that God incarnated as Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is God's actual Spirit, it is a matter of splitting hairs.  Since we are part OF Him and made in His Image there is something of us that is as pure and holy as He Himself.  Our souls or spirit-minds.  Those souls are connected to the Creator at all times - still in constant communion with Him and filled with His all Knowledge.  The human Intellect blocks our awareness of this.  The Great Separation has caused denial of this Knowledge through the Intellect  - which always wants proof.  Yet, Science can never make God a mathematical formula.  Unseen, He is not locate-able nor touchable.  Science comes up against Him, but cannot display Him ! Since we are as close to Him (He fills all space and dimension as Spirit essence) as to our own breath, you can see how some doctrines decided Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same as Him.  In a manner of speaking, we are also!  \n\nI believe as you - as I described above, but since I see how much a part of God we are and that the connection as One always exists (for He Created us to be One with Him), I feel tolerant toward those who have taken it one step further and declared the three are One !  Well, yes. . .yet no ! \n\nWe can overlook, in peace, the hair splitting, and just know within ourselves that Jesus is one of US and the Holy Spirit was a specially Created Being for the purpose of Guidance during the Separation.  Hope this has helped !!\n\nBest regards, Lana
40290
Dear God, I pray that the unbelievers and friends around each of us might be touched by your spirit and brought to repentance and that we will be able to yield ourself to fulfill your will and to be a guiding light for our friends and close ones. I also pray that our hearts may be burdened to pray for them and that you will give us an opportunity to share the good news with them to your glory. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!!
276459
i was reading some of the put downs, doesnt any one have any faith or even common sense. god talks to each and every one of us. its the voice in your head telling you to do something or not to do something its the guilt you feel when you have done something wrong. who are we to say god did not speak to him. the bible says judge ye not! and it also tells us to have faith.who are we to decide who god can and can not talk to. would you believe him if he said satan talked too him?
565195
The Word taught us that we are to "go ye out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in." Notice that it said "compel." The word means to ask, or to entice, not to cram it down their throats! While I will agree that there are many Christians who in their zeal to please God do cram it down their throats, I'm becoming rather tired, bored and angry with generalizations made by people like you who then turn around and claim the same Christianity! Have you witnessed to anyone recently? Did you go away feeling like you'd fulfilled you Christian duty? Did the person you witness to ever come to your church or any church for that matter and begin a relationship with God? If so, great! Glory be to God that He'd use you as a tool to lead a soul in. But if you went any futher with that soul without God's influence working a wisdom and cultivating a faith and a relationship with Him, then you're doing the same thing that you claim most other Christians are doing! There is a Scripture that says, "Woe unto those who would offend my little ones (young Christians)! For it would be better for a millstone to be hung around their necks and be cast into the sea and drowned!" Chew on that before you start generalizing the way people witness for Christ! Did you ever stop and think that with the world spinning out of control the way it has that maybe people are beginning to have a greater zeal for serving God and that such a witness is necessary?