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Hey Mary-Kate, I wrote a short but to the point devotion on how we can stand up against new age temptations with the armor of God :) Would you like to see it? I'd like to post it in our group :)
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That was the first name that came to mind, hehe. So, I can change it if you'd like ((:
Thanks Mary-Kate :) It's very sweet of you to make a folder for me. I'll take a look at the title, if I want you to change it later, I'll let you know.
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Mary Kate wrote: "Aw. Most welcome ;D Okie dokie!! Sounds like a perfect plan (((; Hehe"I like the title, I'll be posting my Christian devotions and just for fun posts too :)
I am new to the Group and I am new to Good Reads and I Just had a New Book Come out? Am I allowed to announce and Post the Press Release or is that a No No? I could use some help with reviews on any of my books. They will transform your life. Author Ann F.R. Cutler Thanks for your help. Enjoy, I love to Read.
Hey, Ann,I have the same question! New author, long-time reader, relatively new to Good Reads and brand new to this group. Can I promote my book along with Ann?
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I am so very sorry for the delay, y'all!! My sincere apologies ); I was sick, and haven't been very active in the group! I'm sorry!
First and foremost, let me welcome you both to the group!! It is an honor to have you both wonderful authors here with us :D Both of your books looks amazing!! I will definitely be looking into them!!
Secondly, I urge advertisement for authors here ((:
Let me get some links for you...
*https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
*https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
*https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
*https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
And, I also make personal topics for authors/writers, and would love to make either of you one as well (: If so let me know, and I'll go right over and make you a topic where you can advertise/share/talk about your writing ((:
It is an honor to have you here, and do let me know if I can help you with anything here. You are free to advertise your writing in any topic you feel like it :D
God bless †
~M.K.
Mary-Kate, can you please remove my should Christians watch tv shows or movies with nudity? I'd like to replace it with another idea, thanks :) I actually found I like Game of Thrones, sure, there are some parts in there that I disagree with, but I'm deciding to look past that and I'm liking it for the adventure and fantasy in it.
Hey Rachel, is it okay if we keep it because it's initiating great conversations? You can delete some of your comments if you want. You can still make a different thread, but I think the conversation on nudity in movies is very important to have.
Tamara wrote: "Hey Rachel, is it okay if we keep it because it's initiating great conversations? You can delete some of your comments if you want. You can still make a different thread, but I think the conversati..."That's understandable. We can talk about the strengths and weaknesses of mature tv shows.
Yeah, you don't mind do you? I was just enjoying the stimulating conversation and I didn't want to terminate it.
Tamara wrote: "Yeah, you don't mind do you? I was just enjoying the stimulating conversation and I didn't want to terminate it."Oh no I don't mind :)
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I'm learning about evolution in my school. I am so confused on some evolutionary theories. Some of them make sense but then some other ones totally contradict the beliefs I was brought up on... I could use some clarifications.
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I would love to try to help out!! My favorite teacher who tells about all these things is a guy named, Kent Hovind. He has helped me so much! And a thing to remember, every huge lie is characterized by using a little truth to draw people in, then tricking them with the false truths. I will try my best to answer anything you need help with?
:D
And, may I say, welcome to the group!!!! *throws confetti* :D Haha
Esther wrote: "I have a Question and it may sound stupid. Would God still want me after all I have done? my brother told me to read certain Bible passages and gave me books but I just feel like I have failed so much towards Jesus that he wouldn't want me"The conviction of sin can bring us to a place of feeling helpless and hopeless. Our shame tempts us to think that no one, much less God, could forgive us. We might wonder how we can go on. What possible hope could there be?
Let's start with the good news first: no one is beyond God's forgiveness. No matter what you have done, you have not out-sinned God's ability to forgive you.
The Bible tells us that all humans have sinned (Romans 3:23). Each of us is deserving of eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). No matter the sin—rape, murder, terrorism, adultery, theft, pride, gossip, jealousy, lying, not fully loving others, etc.—we deserve to be punished. It's an all-or-nothing scenario. God does not judge us on whether our "good" outweighs our "bad," but on whether we will accept His way of salvation.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 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. 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" (John 3:16–18, ESV).
God made a way of forgiveness, not just for some sin but for all of it. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. No matter what you've done, God will forgive you if you come to Him in faith.
There is only one way of forgiveness. God won't forgive you because you promise to do better next time or because you make amends or because you do good deeds. No, He will forgive you because Jesus paid the penalty for sin on your behalf.
Jesus was fully God and fully human. He was without sin and lived a perfect life. But He was crucified on the cross. He died a sinner's death. The Bible tells us, "For our sake he made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV). Jesus took on our sin so that we wouldn't have to bear it. He did the work and paid the price so that we could receive forgiveness.
We know Jesus spoke truth and that His sacrifice on our behalves was effective because He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 20–22). Jesus died and was buried, but He was physically raised back to life. Jesus conquered sin and death. He made it possible for us not to be stuck in our sin and guilt and shame. He made a way for us to move past despair and into true life (John 10:10). He offers forgiveness to us if we will put our trust in Him.
You can receive forgiveness from God today. There is no one prayer that will grant you this forgiveness. As has been explained, forgiveness is made possible through the work of Jesus Christ. But we can receive this forgiveness by asking God for it, in faith, through prayer. You might say something like this:
"God, I know that I have sinned against you. I know that I am deserving of being separated from you forever. I know that I can't possibly make it up to you or become righteous in myself. I need your forgiveness. You have provided a way. You sent your Son Jesus to live a perfect life, die, and rise back to life on my behalf. You have paid the price that I owed for sin so that I might be forgiven and enjoy fellowship with you. Please forgive me, God. I believe in you. Remove my guilt and bring me into new life in your Son. Thank you that I can trust that you will do this. Thank you for providing a way of forgiveness and for accepting me into your family. Amen."
If you have prayed this prayer and truly believed it in your heart, you are forgiven. You have been made new in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17) and have become a child of God (John 1:12–13). Give God praise for releasing you of the burden of guilt and despair.
Esther wrote: "I want God to be in my life,in my heart, But Your saying that it must be an act that I do.I must have faith in God? that it has to be coming from me , not Jesus?"There is only one thing you must do to have Christ in your life. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior is the only “step” to salvation. So yes, you must have faith.
Where does faith come from? Faith is not something we conjure up on our own, nor is it something we are born with, nor is faith a result of diligence in study or pursuit of the spiritual. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that faith is a gift from God, not because we deserve it, have earned it, or are worthy to have it. It is not from ourselves; it is from God. It is not obtained by our power or our free will. Faith is simply given to us by God, along with His grace and mercy, according to His holy plan and purpose, and because of that, He gets all the glory.
When the Philippian jailer asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31).
God promises forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven to all who receive, by grace through faith, Jesus Christ as Savior (John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24; Acts 16:31). God took on human form and died in our place, taking the punishment that we deserve (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Salvation is not about certain steps we must follow to earn salvation. Salvation cannot be earned. We could follow 1000 steps, and it would not be enough. That is why Jesus had to die in our place. We are absolutely incapable of paying our sin debt to God or cleansing ourselves from sin. Only God could accomplish our salvation, and so He did. God Himself completed the “steps” and thereby offers salvation to anyone who will receive it from Him.
Salvation and forgiveness of sins is not about following steps. It is about receiving Christ as Savior and recognizing that He has done all of the work for us.
God requires one step of us—receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and fully trusting in Him alone as the way of salvation.
God can and will forgive instantly... sometimes the problem is : we cannot forgive ourselves... we are the only person who knows what we did or what we are, aside from God, so, sometimes the guilt lingers longer, especially when we think we have done something that displeases God so much. But this is the very reason we consider the Gospel the goodnews! Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He was buried, and rose again the third day for our sins... God forgives us in Jesus!!! If you personally know Jesus Christ, you should rejoice with the fact that you are a child of God because of Him. Sin binds us, but in Jesus, there is freedom!Instead of feeling guilty, why not rejoice in the Lord, and serve Him faithfully with your life...
May this helps...
God bless
Esther, You are not alone in your doubts. I doubted my salvation for a long time. Please remember that Satan delights in, and pursues doubts in us. Satan's number 1 goal is to keep us from having faith in God. If we have doubts about our salvation then Satan has accomplished his goals. You did the right thing in asking for help. Just remember to read the Bible for yourself. If you know scripture then it will be easier to recognize the truth and many of your questions will be answered. Start reading the Bible in John and the Gospels. Also pray about any concerns and ask God to show you the truth. I will pray that you develop a faith as strong as that of your Bible namesake. God bless you
I agree with Rita Faye, it was satan's tactics to shade doubts in the Word of God, from Eve in the Garden of Eden, up to the wilderness when Jesus fasted...and up until today! He never stops, and he never changes his ways, and when you doubt, then he comes and twist the Truth...Have faith in God and His Word, and let Jesus Christ and His death on the cross be the assurance of your forgiveness and salvation.
Praying for you Esther...
God bless always.
First and foremost, let me welcome you to the group ((:
If you have any questions, suggestions, or just need any help whatsoever, feel free to post below (:
And, always remember Jesus loves you!!