Posts by mdb

75

Atheists Worst Nightmare!

by SickofLies in

i don't know how i ever doubted that intelligent design was correct!

after watching a video involving kirk cameron, i now see the error of my ways, and will be tithing 50% of my income to the church every month out of contrition.. .

you want to know the mighty argument that changed my views, and my life, forever?

mdb

Mockery won't make the truth about an intelligent creator go away. Watch from the 4:36 mark about the intricate design of the human eye.

Ignorance. It's no excuse.

You were created by an intelligent God, not evolved from a pile of sludge.

17

The Name Jehovah

by Kristofer in

i know the research is out there.

who can educate me on this.

where did it originate from?

The name Jehovah or Yahowah (Yahweh) derives from the original Hebrew name for God in the manuscripts, YHWH, and the name for Lord, Adonai (which was substituted in public readings for the name YHWH in fear of violating the third commandment (Exodus 20:7) by the ancient Jews). Eventually, scribes inserted the vowels of Adonai (a-o-a) within the consonants YHWH.

21

"I am Finally Free."

by scout575 in

"i read everything i could get my hands on, from secular scholarship to apologists, hoping and praying that christianity was the truth.

i had no choice but to come to the logical conclusion that christianity was untrue.

i actually went around for a while thinking i would go to hell because i no longer believe in jesus.'.

mdb

I am always glad to hear of people finding a satisfying happy life outside the JWs.

Sometimes that is a Christian life, sometimes an atheist life, sometimes a Wiccan life, and sometimes ex-JWs go through several cycles on the way.

For me, the most important thing is that the final conclusion belongs completely to each individual, and is not a reaction to having been a JW, i.e. not merely an atheist because JWs believe in God.

Do you believe there is an absolute truth? I can see that an individual can come to a conclusion, but still be wrong. A satisfying life outside of the JW life doesn't mean the path chosen is right. An Atheist or a Wiccan are still lost in their sins and their final eternal destiny is the same as it was when they were a JW. Different path, same outcome. A happy or fulfilling life on earth can still lead to death.

I don't have time for "we're real Christians", "No, WE'RE real Christians" stuff. I am afraid I keep that one reaction to JW-ish thinking.

They can't all be right. A lot of groups that profess to be "Christian" are not. Not all that say "Lord, Lord..." will enter the kingdom of heaven.

21

"I am Finally Free."

by scout575 in

"i read everything i could get my hands on, from secular scholarship to apologists, hoping and praying that christianity was the truth.

i had no choice but to come to the logical conclusion that christianity was untrue.

i actually went around for a while thinking i would go to hell because i no longer believe in jesus.'.

mdb

I actually went around for a while thinking I would go to hell because I no longer believe in Jesus.

You were right. Without Christ Jesus, you will go to hell.

I don't know if before this experience of yours you were a JW. If you were, your destiny was the same. Nothing really changed in that respect.

I hope you come to realize that Jesus is the only way and that the Scriptures which speak of Him are true (NOT the New World Translation). They are the words of life, but Jesus Christ is that life. Faith in Him and following Him is what makes you a Christian. Again, a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ, not being a "church goer" or a religious fenatic. Church won't save you, good work won't save you. Jesus Christ bore your sins on the cross that you might be saved if you would only believe on Him and follow.

Don't listen to the devil's lies.

21

"I am Finally Free."

by scout575 in

"i read everything i could get my hands on, from secular scholarship to apologists, hoping and praying that christianity was the truth.

i had no choice but to come to the logical conclusion that christianity was untrue.

i actually went around for a while thinking i would go to hell because i no longer believe in jesus.'.

mdb

I'm still lazily searching (as I'm not in any big hurry) for what I believe.

merfi,

If you knew you were going to die in a car accident tomorrow, would you then be in a big hurry? I've had a number of people I know and love be taken away from this life within the past 3 to 6 months. One by cancer, one in a head-on collision, and one farm accident last week. They didn't think their time on earth was coming to an end. One of them was 21 years old. Our time is short, yours might be hours or days. No rush? Are you certain of your salvation? Are you confident in your eternal destiny? I am. Jesus still died for your sins - whether you believe the truth or deny it.

You don't know how much time you have left in this life. I wouldn't be so lazy.

Respectfully.

17

questions to ask your BIBLE STUDY CONDUCTOR

by jwfacts in

i have just written the following (long) article.

i would appreciate comments and suggestions on things i can add or subtract.. .

baptism as one of jehovahs witnesses is a significant step as it is a life time commitment to the watchtower society.

mdb

Ask them why the KH's are compounded with bars, chains and locks and have no windows - why they chain and lock the gates during their meetings?

I know there's a fear of vandalism, but symbolically it looks like they try to keep the public out and the people in; taking the people captive with their deceptive lies.

2

Look at the Heart.

by mdb in

who knows the heart of men?

the scriptures say that only god knows the hearts of men.... yhwh.

but the lord said to samuel, do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because i have refused him.

mdb

Who knows the heart of men? The Scriptures say that only God knows the hearts of men...

Yhwh

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord [yhwh] looks at the heart.”
~ 1 Sam 16:7

Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord [yhwh] my God [elohim], and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You: ... then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men),
~ 2 Ch 6:19,30

I, the Lord [yhwh], search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.
~ Jer 17:10

Jesus

But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
~ Jn 2:24,25

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: ... I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
~ Rev 2:18,23

148

Have you ever had a prayer answered?

by nicolaou in

prayer topics seem to be the bandwagon of the moment so i'm jumping on!

seriously, has anyone here asked for something specific in prayer and actually gotten what they asked for?

what convinces you that you wouldn't have got it in any case?

mdb

lovelylil,

No need for apologies. I probablly could have expanded a bit more on what I was saying - being more clear.

One thing I could have noted (might be obvious) is that the reason Jeremiah's prayers were not answered regarding Israel, is because it was not God's will for deliverance to be given to them at that time. God made that clear to him.

148

Have you ever had a prayer answered?

by nicolaou in

prayer topics seem to be the bandwagon of the moment so i'm jumping on!

seriously, has anyone here asked for something specific in prayer and actually gotten what they asked for?

what convinces you that you wouldn't have got it in any case?

mdb

Because I am in no way saying or even implying that my prayers were answered because I am more upright nor more righteous than anyone else on this forum. We are ALL sinners, my friend. Not one of us is better in any way. I believe it is just a matter of faith thats all.

Lovelylil,

My post was in no way intended to offend, but if someone is offended because they want nothing to do with the truth, then be offended (I know that is not the case with you). What I posted is directly from the Scriptures. Take it for what it is.

If you are deep in divination, worshipping trees, or in your heart choose to live your life in a way that contradicts the faith you may or may not profess in God and pray expecting that your prayer will be answered, you deceive yourself. I am not saying that any or all unanswered prayer is because you're a wicked person who does not deserve your prayer(s) to be answered - sometimes God says, "No. I have a better way."

As you said, "we are ALL sinners" and it is a "matter of faith". What was it said of Abraham? Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. It is by faith and the prayer offered in faith will save and heal the sick. If it was because of our righteousness that our prayers would be answered, we would be better off not to pray at all - none of our petitions would be heard. Our righteousness is like filthy rags to our Holy God and the righteousness we do have, as children of God and followers of Jesus Christ, is not our own.

God seeks the sincere hearts of those who love and fear Him. Our faith will be proved by what we do and we are justified by our works (NOT saved by them... I had to add that).

I am certain we agree here.

148

Have you ever had a prayer answered?

by nicolaou in

prayer topics seem to be the bandwagon of the moment so i'm jumping on!

seriously, has anyone here asked for something specific in prayer and actually gotten what they asked for?

what convinces you that you wouldn't have got it in any case?

mdb

i would think in most cases answered prayer is somethig that cant be proved. same as people who believe their stars and then when it happens think it must be true. or people that say they seen a ghost.
what i dont get about prayer, is most people say their prayers dont get answered, and some say they do. does God have favourites?
i have never had a prayer answered.

Why are some prayers not answered while others are?

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ~ 2 Ch 7:14

When we look at the scriptures (Rom 8:26-27, Eph 6:18, Jude 20:21-22), all saints aught to be in intercessory prayer whenever they pray. If we are followers of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us as a deposit. The Holy Spirit interceeds on behalf of the saints and in Eph 6:18 and Jude 20:21-22, it says to pray always in the Spirit. If we pray in the Spirit, the Spirit will make intercession for us so that we may pray and bring our supplication to God in accordance to His will (Rom 8:26-27). Are your prayers selfish? Are you praying to have a bigger house, a better car, to win the lottery? Is that God's will or yours? If you pray in accordance to His will, pray in the name of Jesus and believe that you will receive that which you have prayed for (a prayer offered in faith), your prayers will be answered. If you pray with your lips, but your heart is far from Him, do not expect anything you ask for to be answered.

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints ~ Eph 6:18

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. ~ Jude 20:21-22

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. ~ Rom 8:26-27

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. ~ 1 Jn 5:14-15

____________________________________________________________________

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves him who follows righteousness. ~ Prov 15:8,9

The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous. ~ Prov 15:29

One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination. ~ Prov 28:9

Hear the word of the Lord,
You rulers of Sodom;
Give ear to the law of our God,
You people of Gomorrah:
“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”
Says the Lord.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
Or of lambs or goats.
“When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand,
To trample My courts?
Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood. ~ Isa 1:10-15

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” ~ 1 Pet 3:12

And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. ~ 1 Ch 5:20

Jeremiah's prayers for the people of Israel were not answered because God said He would not hear them:

“So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble. ~ Jer 11:14

Even when I cry and shout,
He shuts out my prayer. ~ Lam 3:8

You have covered Yourself with a cloud,
That prayer should not pass through. ~ Lam 3:44

Do you believe you will have what you ask for?:

And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” ~ Matt 21:22

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ~ James 5:13-16

Your prayers can be hindered by your lifestyle:

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. ~ 1 Pet 3:7