Chrisgp from England wrote:
Yes, of course we can sing in our heart to the Lord, which I do very often, but we are commanded to sing literally.

On number 3

a. Sure, and there are plenty of biblical examples of this. But there will always be the last one, and after that, the end. I believe we may be nearing that situation.

John Yurich USA wrote:
That is totally illogical that Spiritualist Church would get so bent out of shape about having salvation tracts left there.

And so I walked up to the front of the church and began reading out my scripture texts which condemned them for trying to raise the dead and 'get a message' from beyond the grave.

It was at that point they threw me out and called the police. They locked the front door of the building, and a little old lady walked up trying to get in the meeting, but I told her there was no meeting today, and she went home.

A police officer arrived in a van, and so I told him what evil things they were doing inside that building. He agreed with me, and told me he was a Catholic. I had a nice time talking with him.

Frank wrote:
Yes brother, I know that many don’t agree with me, but I believe God is indeed cursing the world and especially the U.S. and this pandemic is just part of it. We have turned our backs on the Lord and many have made culture, prosperity and politics their gods. I believe this pandemic is real, but even if it was made up, it has still destroyed millions of lives and 10s of millions of livelihoods. That would make it one heck of a conspiracy theory.

Mike wrote:
Probably not. A virus that kills less than 1%, and mostly old people, just doesn't exactly seem like a God given punishment, does it?

Or are you saying that the figure needs to be more like 99.9999% as it was in the day of the flood, when only eight people were spared.

Our guv spoke about a second wave, if great care was not taken, and it is turning out to be far worse than the first wave. I see no reason why this pandemic should not usher in the collapse of the world as we know it, a huge population decrease, the end of capitalism or financial greatness, and the second advent of our Saviour.

It is said in Revelations that God sent successive chastisements upon the world, but men would not repent. Maybe this pandemic is merely the beginning of the end, starting slowly and building up to massive tribulation?

And no, I've not read anything on this subject from fear-mongers or anyone else. It is merely a few thoughts that come to mind as I compare what is happening with scripture.

John Yurich USA wrote:
Today at my Baptist Church during Adult Sunday School it was part 4:The Decline of the Medieval Church. Then during worship the sermon was given by Pastor Neil and was titled "Find Your Place in the Gospel" and was from 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Isaiah 40:6. The sermon was about the gospel message is that salvation is received by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. Then after the sermon Holy Communion was celebrated.

It is a great gospel text, John.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV
(1) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
(2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
(3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
(4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Frank wrote:
Yes brother, our Lord always has a remnant that serves Him in spirit and in truth. What is happening in Wales is happening throughout the world. The Holy Spirit has told us that things will grow worse and worse as the end draws nearer and nearer.
2 Timothy 3:13 “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
But, you and I know that we still must fight against evil and the evil doctrine of ecumenicalism. This causes a dummying down of the gospel of our Lord.

The last time I looked, the RCC was still not a member of the WCC (World Council of Churches); but with all the ecumenical groupings heading that way, under that umbrella, at some point the Papists will move in and take over, headed by the pope of course, and the job will be done. Perhaps.

Colin wrote:
Demas walked away and that has always scared me.

Luke 17:32 KJV
(32)  Remember Lot's wife.

2 Timothy 4:10 KJV
(10)  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world...

A half-hearted Christian will never make a happy Christian. Colin, if Jesus is Lord, serve him with a whole heart. God will never force Christianity on you; you must receive the word, and you must receive Christ as Lord, leaving the world in favour of God's kingdom.

A guide to the marks of true salvation.

Extract from the booklet, "Seven Certain Signs of True Conversion" by Dr Peter Masters (pastor of Spurgeon's old church in London, the Metropolitan Tabernacle, a 1689 Baptist church).

[Are there recognisable signs that true conversion has occurred? How can seekers tell if God has worked in their hearts? Or how can Christian workers discern the spiritual standing of a seeker or inquirer, or 'test' the standing of an applicant for baptism and church membership?]

[Several passages in the Bible spell out a number of definite signs of conversion which our forebears used to call - 'marks of grace'. 1 John for example, lists these marks so clearly that Bible commentators have described the main points of this epistle as 'the tests of life'. John says emphatically that we may know that we truly know Him by certain evidences (1 John 2.3). Romans 8 also describes several clear signs and indications of conversion.]

https://tabernaclebookshop.org/products/seven-certain-signs-of-true-conversion-9781899046058?_pos=3&_sid=ce6c15b69&_ss=r

Dr. Tim wrote:
“My light is still shining.”
“Do we begin again to commend ourselves?”
Yup.

I realise you are feeling somewhat out of sorts because you can't get your lamp burning brightly, but the answer is not to lambast those whose light is shining, but to take heart that God can light you up also from the inside out. But it will need a lot of repentance for all the mocking and scorning you have been doing recently.

Ah, but you will still plough on regardless. You neither believe in the irresistible grace of God, nor do you have it in your heart, or you would behave somewhat differently. For out of the heart the mouth speaks.

Colin wrote:
Brothers, we know God is Holy. Our nation is wicked. We are promised persecution as Christians. Let us live Psalm 1 in these dark days. Looking to our King as the Standard with our lights shining in the darkness.