Hi Patti,I desire to approach this situation according to Paul's directive to Timothy:2 Timothy 2:23. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.It is a delicate thing because on the one hand I do believe that you are sincere in your desire to understand these things or at least you would like to understand how one like me can believe and say the things that I have. But on the other hand it is not possible for you to understand these things if you have never submitted yourself to the teaching and leadership of the one and only Holy Spirit of the Living God. (Jesus said that if you do not put Him first you cannot be His disciple which means you cannot learn or receive the truth.) Peter instructs us to add to our faith virtue, (putting Jesus first) and to virtue add knowledge. You have, in my view, done the very thing that you are accusing me of which is relying on much study for your belief and position on a specific topic. You have posted these teachings of men who themselves have set themselves up as experts and wise. But you also included an article demonstrating that God has not chosen the "wise" of this world in order to "put to shame" (King James says confound) the self proclaimed wise. He has chosen the babes to reveal Himself to in order that babes should BECOME WISE. It was never Jesus' intent that we remain babes and unwise for we are to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves.Patti, do you feel confounded at my claim to be wise in this matter because you yourself do not see what I see? If so, could this be what Jesus meant? Anyone who relies on the wisdom of men will be confounded at the wisdom of God. They will not and indeed cannot understand as long as they remain in their fleshly natural state and expect to be able to receive the things of God. This is what Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus when He said the wind blows where it will but you cannot see it and he said so it is with every one that is born of the Spirit. The meaning is that just like trying to predict the wind, where it will blow next or what way they will come from next it cannot be comprehended naturally. Neither can one understand the things that God is doing naturally but must be submitted to God and His Spirit and then He will reveal Himself and His teachings to you.My sincere plea to you Patti is that you would seek Him now while you still can but in order for you to seek Him you must first realize that you lack a connection with Him and this is very difficult for many to accept who have believed that they were already there.As further evidence that you are thus locked in unbelief of this nature and as further evidence that God said they will not believe though it be told them, and in order to give you the evidence that you say does not exists, I will give you this:However, I anticipate that you will probably say that it is not real because that is what the Bible says many will say - they will not believe though it were told even shown.There is so much evidence of these things but it will only be received by those with the ability to receive it.Patti, I am willing to share with you anything or answer any questions you may have because it is my sincere desire to see you be able to know the truth. But you must be willing to admit that you do not have it yet. You are very offended by me and Jesus offended people wherever He went too and said that His followers will likewise offend.I have to go now and have answered this quickly but will gladly respond to any other questions and do not wish to offend.