[gromitt82]

In yesterday’s Gospel (Lk 17:26-37) Jesus said to his disciples, «As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be on the day the Son of Man comes. Then people ate and drank; they took husbands and wives. But on the day Noah entered the ark, the flood came and destroyed them all. Just as it was in the days of Lot: people ate and drank, they bought and sold, planted and built. But on the day Lot left Sodom, God made fire and sulfur rain down from heaven which destroyed them all. So will it be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
»On that day, if you are on the rooftop, don't go down into the house to get your belongings, and if you happen to be in the fields, do not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever tries to save his life will lose himself, but whoever gives his life will be born again. I tell you, though two men are sharing the same bed, it may be that one will be taken and the other left. Though two women are grinding corn together, one may be taken and the other left». Then they asked Jesus, «Where will this take place, Lord?». And he answered, «Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather».

In Spanish we have a saying that in English would more or less say that “Man is the only animal who can trip twice over the same stone” obviously meaning that, no matter our past experiences, we always make the same mistakes.

In this Gospel Jesus gives us a very serious warning.

Let us live a life of invincible abandonment to pleasure or to a pleasant and agreeable laziness and sloth, most of the time, enjoying life as much as we can, totally unconcerned and careless about what is actually going on with most of Mankind, and we may caught ourselves any day facing our Maker completely unawares and off-guard.

It is a little like what is happening right now in practically all the so called 1st world.

For a decade or so we have been living as big spenders, more often than not living well over our actual possibilities, in the hope this would last forever.

In Spain, to speak only of my country, thanks to low interest loans by all banks, lots of people were buying homes or one apartment in the coast and another one in the skiing areas; changing cars every 2 years; going on holidays to the Far East or Australia or taking de Luxe cruises to the Caribbean.

Money was flowing too easily, so in the last 5 years our population was increased with 5 million immigrants plus, probably, another 2 of illegals.

It was the period of the 7 fat cows!!

But, now, all of a sudden, we have waken up, astonished, to find those 7 lean cows the Genesis speaks about, which have already come out of the river Nile and are starting to eat the fat ones…

However, with a little bit of luck, this unexpected situation due to our magnificent lack of foresight may eventually be overcome.

But our lack of foresight in getting ready to face our Maker will take us to a point of no return.

No eventual solution then. SO we better get prepared as much as we can!

[Moparbyfar]

Hmm, are you looking to discuss this or is there a question in here somewhere? :confused:

[arcura]

gromitt82,
I guess the question is and I getting ready?
I sure hope so.
I live on a small social security check and my wife is still working by she will retire at the end of this year.
Being extravagant is not our life style now though it was somewhat several years ago.
We are both concerned about the world's many difficult situations and try to be helpful when we can.
I often pray for the return of Christ so that the world can experience the 1000 years of peace the bible tells us of.
As a sick 75 year old man I am soon going to meet my maker whether I'm ready or not, so it IS something important that is on my mind often.
No matter a person's age being ready IS the thing to do for no one knows when their final hour arrives.
Peace and kindness,
Fred (arcura)

[gromitt82]

Hmm, are you looking to discuss this or is there a question in here somewhere? :confused:

The question, of course, is: ARE WE GETTING READY FOR THE EVENTUAL CHANGE FROM THIS LIFE TO THE NEXT ONE?

[gromitt82]

gromitt82,
I guess the question is and I getting ready?
I sure hope so.
I live on a small social security check and my wife is still working by she will retire at the end of this year.
Being extravagant is not our life style now though it was somewhat several years ago.
We are both concerned about the world's many difficult situations and try to be helpful when we can.
I often pray for the return of Christ so that the world can experience the 1000 years of peace the bible tells us of.
As a sick 75 year old man I am soon going to meet my maker whether I'm ready or not, so it IS something important that is on my mind often.
No matter a person's age being ready IS the thing to do for no one knows when their final hour arrives.
Peace and kindness,
Fred (arcura)

I guess that at one time or other we all have been somewhat extravagant in our perception of life and, therefore, we have established our priorities the wrong way.
However, age (I’m 82 as you know), if nothing else, has the great advantage of making us wiser and more practical minded.

We suddenly become aware that the train of our lives is drawing near to the end of the line. And consequently, we start (or we should) making the preparations to get off at a moment’s notice for we are totally unawares when our vehicle is going to halt…
However, as you rightly say, NOBODY knows (irrespective of his/her age) when his Terminus station will be due…! So my reminder of the Gospel was meant to draw everybody’s attention to the convenience of always being all set to descend from his/her own convoy.

[arcura]

gromitt82,
I think your intentions for this thread are appropriate and very worthwhile.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Galveston1]

Fred, if your faith is in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you have nothing to fear.

Should you be asked why you should be allowed into that city, your answer would be "Because Jesus died for me".

May God's best be yours!

[arcura]

Galveston1,
I believe it is a bit more complicated than that.
Just belief is not enough. Satan believes in God.
Yes Jesus died for my sins, but did I do all that He asked me to do?
Did I confess my sins with true remorse?
Did I forgive all who sinned against me without reservations?
Was I baptized?
Did I have a real working faith?
All that involves being prepared.
Fred

[saintjoan]

Here is the applications that I gave at a conference I spoke at last weekend.
1) Luke 19:13 Occupy till I come
2) 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3) 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

[arcura]

saintjoan,
I would have like to hear the whole presentation you made.
It has a good foundation so I';ll bet it was good.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[gromitt82]

Here is the applications that I gave at a conference I spoke at last weekend.
1) Luke 19:13 Occupy till I come
2) 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3) 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

I agree with Arcura! Would it be possible to see the whole presentation?

[Tj3]

Galveston1,
I believe it is a bit more complicated than that.
Just belief is not enough. Satan believes in God.

There is a subtle but absolutely critical difference that people make when comparing these two things. To "believe in" Jesus is NOT the same as to believe that there is one God (which is what scripture says that Satan believes). Satan knows God - He is a spiri being who was once one of the top angels in heaven - so of course he believes - he knows. But he rejected God so he does not "believe in" God.

Those who are saved believe in Jesus, and have assurance of salvation.

Yes Jesus died for my sins, but did I do all that He asked me to do?

What you need to do for salvation is to receive Him as you Lord and Saviour. If you have done that, you will be saved and have assurance of your salvation.

[gromitt82]

There is a subtle but absolutely critical difference that people make when comparing these two things. To "believe in" Jesus is NOT the same as to believe that there is one God (which is what scripture says that Satan believes). Satan knows God - He is a spiri being who was once one of the top angels in heaven - so of course he believes - he knows. But he rejected God so he does not "believe in" God.

Those who are saved believe in Jesus, and have assurance of salvation.



What you need to do for salvation is to receive Him as you Lord and Saviour. If you have done that, you will be saved and have assurance of your salvation.

Technically, I could agree with you, except for the fact that as a Catholic believing in Jesus IS THE SAME for me than believing in GOD insofar we believe Jesus IS is the SON of GOD (the FATHER) and, consequently, the Third person of the Holy Trinity, which is the same as GOD , for us.

As for your second assertion, it is also true. Except that receiving Jesus as our Lord and Saviour is easier daid than done. But the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak... (Matthew 26:41)

[sndbay]

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.

Romans 8:7 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:8 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8:9 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.

Baptism is death in Christ, (both believe and is baptized.)

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

I Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

I Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

[Tj3]

Technically, I could agree with you, except for the fact that as a Catholic

Let me stop you there. I thought that we were discussing Christianity, not denominationalism.

... believing in Jesus IS THE SAME for me than believing in GOD

No one said that they were different. Fred was comparing what scripture says about Satan "believing" God is one to "believing in" Jesus.

[arcura]

gromitt82 ,
I agree with you.
Catholicism IS Christian whether others agree or not.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Tj3]

Catholicism IS Christian whether others agree or not.

Fred,

Are you promoting, or a believer in denominationalism - i.e. you must submit to your denomination?

[classyT]

Galveston1,
I believe it is a bit more complicated than that.
Just belief is not enough. Satan believes in God.
Yes Jesus died for my sins, but did I do all that He asked me to do?
Did I confess my sins with true remorse?
Did I forgive all who sinned against me without reservations?
Was I baptized?
Did I have a real working faith?
All that involves being prepared.
Fred

Fred,

Satan DOES believe in God.. but the difference is that Jesus didn't DIE for satan. Of course satan believes in God.. he stands before Him accusing the brethern all the time. AND I might add that man can believe in God and still go to hell if he rejects Jesus Christ. He died for us ( mankind)... he is the ONLY way to the Father. If we could keep the law... why did Jesus have to die? To suggest that we add anything to salvation is insulting to our LORD. He took all of our sins, past, present and future and paid the price... he rose for our justification ( JUST AS IF WE NEVER SINNED). We are saved to DO good works.. not saved BY them. Jesus said "IT IS FINISHED". Why did he say such a thing if he really meant... I DID MY PART... now work your hinney's off doing yours and hope and pray that it will be good enough to get you through the pearly gates? I don't mean to be flip but when you break it all down that is what you are basically saying. He wants us to be obedient and to do good... but how in the world can you ADD such a thing to salvation?

And let me add one last thing... no matter what we do... it isn't going to be "good" enough. We can't even be remorseful enough because we can't enter to how much God hates sin. All of our righteousness is as FILTHLY RAGS. The ONLY thing that makes us righteous is being IN CHRIST. That is IT. What we DO has NOTHING to do with WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST. The FATHER sees us as righteous ONLY because of Jesus.

[arcura]

classyT,
Yes, Jesus and the path He laid out for us to follow IS the only way to the Father.
May we all tread that path well with love and faith in Christ Jesus.
Fred