The Highway Forums Active Threads Since Yesterday

The author has done a commendable job and is, IMHO, worth reading. Methinks the average believer should not engage with Rome but dismiss it for it is far too easy to be deceived and led astray. Scholarly, trained and faithful men may engage with such writings as academic exercise and then counsel the church as to the value, demerits and dangers involved. Karl Barth may have uttered some truths concerning God, but he is certainly not recommended reading to one who desires to gather truth and grow in grace. Scripture is the sole and final authority for all matters of faith and life. And so few professing believers, laity and clergy alike, in our day have a rudimentary grasp of what God has revealed in His word, never mind putting it to practice. As the author mentions wisely as has been the perennial question, "Who guards the guardians?" Far too many "intellectual giants" have gone astray and thus wisdom from on high surely should be prayed for an sought after through the contents of divine revelation; the Bible. I have seen too many totally errant results come from AI on items such as politic and morals. The creators of the algorithms have a bias and it is reflected in their creations. In short, my opinion is... BEWARE of AI in matters of morals, justice, etc. which Scripture is most always perspicuous for specific applications and for general application and principles of good, truth and righteousness.

1. One's repentance does not necessarily equate to a single act which is never repeated. Even Christians can and do repent of some sin and then repeat it again, even many times. But they repent at each offense and beg for God's forgiveness. (cf. Paul's confession of his struggle after conversion in Rom 7 and 1Jh 1:9,10).

2. It is estimated that a period of 38 to 50 years elapsed between Ninevah's repentance and its invasion of the northern kingdom by the Assyrians.

Today, in the United States of America we celebrate in remembrance those who have given their very lives in battle and service to our country that freedom may live on and liberty enjoyed by all. It is indeed a time of remembrance of the dead but also of reflection upon those who are currently serving in the military and other first responders so that all here and those elsewhere who likewise are doing what we too often take for granted and that which they risk their lives that we may go about our everyday lives. Take just a moment out of your busy routine today and give thanks to God for the manifest blessings you are enjoying because He has raised up brave men and women to fight and work to keep you free from the evil of this world. And remember the families that have lost their sons and daughters who gave the ultimate price to preserve what we have now and hopefully for many years to come.

05/25/AM

"Forsake me not, O Lord."

—Psalms 38:18-22 (KJV) "18. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. 19. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 20. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. 21. Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. 22. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation."

Frequently we pray that God would not forsake us in the hour of trial and temptation, but we too much forget that we have need to use this prayer at all times. There is no moment of our life, however holy, in which we can do without His constant upholding. Whether in light or in darkness, in communion or in temptation, we alike need the prayer, "Forsake me not, O Lord." "Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe." A little child, while learning to walk, always needs the nurse's aid. The ship left by the pilot drifts at once from her course. We cannot do without continued aid from above; let it then be your prayer to-day, "Forsake me not. Father, forsake not Thy child, lest he fall by the hand of the enemy. Shepherd, forsake not Thy lamb, lest he wander from the safety of the fold. Great Husbandman, forsake not Thy plant, lest it wither and die. 'Forsake me not, O Lord,' now; and forsake me not at any moment of my life. Forsake me not in my joys, lest they absorb my heart. Forsake me not in my sorrows, lest I murmur against Thee. Forsake me not in the day of my repentance, lest I lose the hope of pardon, and fall into despair; and forsake me not in the day of my strongest faith, lest faith degenerate into presumption. Forsake me not, for without Thee I am weak, but with Thee I am strong. Forsake me not, for my path is dangerous, and full of snares, and I cannot do without Thy guidance. The hen forsakes not her brood, do Thou then evermore cover me with Thy feathers, and permit me under Thy wings to find my refuge. 'Be not far from me, O Lord, for trouble is near, for there is none to help.' 'Leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!'"

"O ever in our cleansed breast,
Bid Thine Eternal Spirit rest;
And make our secret soul to be
A temple pure and worthy Thee."

- Charles H. Spurgeon

05/24/AM

"Blessed be God, which hath nor turned away my prayer."

—Psalm 66:20 "Blessed be God, Who hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his lovingkindness from me."

In looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do it honestly, we shall be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their I prayers worthy of acceptance--as the Pharisee did; but the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over his prayers, and if he could retrace his steps he would desire to pray more earnestly. Remember, Christian, how cold thy prayers have been. When in thy closet thou shouldst have wrestled as Jacob did; but instead thereof, thy petitions have been faint and few--far removed from that humble, believing, persevering faith, which cries, "I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me." Yet, wonderful to say, God has heard these cold prayers of thine, and not only heard, but answered them. Reflect also, how infrequent have been thy prayers, unless thou hast been in trouble, and then thou hast gone often to the mercy-seat: but when deliverance has come, where has been thy constant supplication? Yet, notwithstanding thou hast ceased to pray as once thou didst, God has not ceased to bless. When thou hast neglected the mercy-seat, God has not deserted it, but the bright light of the Shekinah has always been visible between the wings of the cherubim. Oh! it is marvellous that the Lord should regard those intermittent spasms of importunity which come and go with our necessities. What a God is He thus to hear the prayers of those who come to Him when they have pressing wants, but neglect Him when they have received a mercy; who approach Him when they are forced to come, but who almost forget to address Him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few. Let His gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts, so that we may henceforth be found "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."

- Charles H. Spurgeon