An old question...seldom asked or answered...

[AsifinPassing]

Hello again! For a long time, Wesley's Holy Club questions have convicted and challenged me in my daily walk with God, but a similar question in effect would be one they simply asked one another whenever they met on the road. "How goes it with your soul?"

I realize this language for most is a little confusing, so I've changed it when asking people to "How's your heart (the core of who you are and how things are really going)?" or "How's your relationship with Jesus going?"

I won't settle for one word answers like "Fine." or diversions like "I don't know". Yes you do. We all do, and we need to ask and answer that question, truthfully, a whole lot more.


Why is this in singles? It belongs everywhere, and should be asked to everyone. How do you think your state of being would affect another, or rather...if a relationship is what your after, how would the heart of who they are and how they're doing affect you? Do you think we can love, forgive, be patient, endure, etc...all on our own?


God teaches us everything about what love is and how to love Him back and others. So, how's that relationship going? How's your relationship with your parents, friends, coworkers, colleagues? If they aren't well, do you think a romantic relationship would somehow be different? Why?


"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Jesus (Matthew 6:21)

 

[Donkeyfish07]

Truthfully, I've backslidden quite a bit lately, no excuse for it. Not walking a good walk right now. Could use some prayers on this one.

 

[AsifinPassing]

Thank you, Donkeyfish. I will pray for you. If you don't mind, I'd like to pray for you by name, so you could pm that or whatever may work for you. If you're not okay with that, I understand. No worries. Remember that he loves you and wants to hear from you...even more than most of us are willing to pray.

 

[Roh_Chris]

God teaches us everything about what love is and how to love Him back and others. So, how's that relationship going? How's your relationship with your parents, friends, coworkers, colleagues? If they aren't well, do you think a romantic relationship would somehow be different? Why?

Thank you for posing this question, AsifinPassing.

My relationship with God is a little off-track. I am grappling with some issues, so I am finding it difficult to sort them out while not losing my faith. Prayers would be appreciated.

My relationship with my parents is good, but it could take a turn for the worse anytime now.
With friends - it's good and I have no complaints there (thank you, Lord!).
With colleagues - It has only been formal since I don't connect with any of them. It's neither good nor bad, but I prefer it this way for this set of colleagues.

Would a romantic relationship make any difference? I think not. It will not solve the core issues of my ongoing conflict, but at least it would give me some stability in one sphere of my life. That being said, I am not actively looking for a romantic relationship because I have a couple of issues to address first.

I am grateful for every CC Singles Forumer who has prayed for me. From the day I posted the thread asking for some advice until today, I have had a few wonderful people who have advised me and prayed for me. I am thankful to God for each one of them. They all are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[AsifinPassing]

You're welcome, Roh, and it would be a joy to pray for you.

If you would please, remind me of your name via pm or whichever method you find best. If not, it's cool. I'll pray for you either way.

Remember that God is with us and for us every step of the way, brother. He's there with you now. We just need to spend some time with Him, or much more time with Him, rather than going about everything without Him. He's the best friend you'll ever have. Truly.

 

[MissCris]

I take God for granted a lot. He's always been there, He'll always be there. I have a really bad habit of doing the same with friends and family, as well. I feel fortunate being able to say that the majority of the relationships I have are doing far better than they were this time last year, including the one with the Lord...but I still find myself putting other things first a lot of the time, telling myself that it (He, they) will be there later, no rush, no worries.

Last spring, God metaphorically smacked me upside the head with a major spiritual growth spurt that's still going on. It's been really painful, really difficult, and incredibly fullfilling and amazing. So I guess I would say that my heart, my soul...is better than ever (healthier), with a lot of room for improvement. I am...peaceful, and receptive, I think. Not where I want/should be, but content to learn and grow more over time (or in a short amount of time, if that's what God has planned for me).

 

[AsifinPassing]

Thank you, MissCris. We all have a bad tendency to do that. I pray that Christ gives you a deeper thirst for Him, and the strength to seek Him and His kingdom first. I'm glad to hear your growth and health! It'll be exciting to see what The LORD is doing in your life both now and in the future! ^_^

 

[Lynx]

This question is seldom asked or answered? Well... seldom answered perhaps, but I don't know anyone who hasn't asked it of himself often. Usually in the quiet times.

Hmm... maybe that's why so many have to stay active so much, have so many distractions. To avoid the quiet times.

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

This question is seldom asked or answered? Well... seldom answered perhaps, but I don't know anyone who hasn't asked it of himself often. Usually in the quiet times.

Hmm... maybe that's why so many have to stay active so much, have so many distractions. To avoid the quiet times.

Quit stalling.

 

[Lynx]

Sorry, I'm busy on my smartphone right now.

 

[Liamson]

I'm very grateful for all that I have but, I feel like I'm slipping into Autopilot.


I can feel that need to stay deliberate and not be stuck with the routine.


I haven't been very diligent and doing good when good is available to be done. And frankly that has taken its toll.

 

[Jacob_Fitzgerald]

My soul is doing great!

After a rather long period where my life basically fell apart, think of Job only not quite as bad, things are starting to look good. Each day I get to watch God work and actually see his words coming true. Let me tell you, there are few things which help to mend a broken heart so well as knowing God’s promises and knowing that they will happen.

As far as relationships go – well, I do my best. I can’t help what others do.

Matthew 10:22-28
[SUP]22 [/SUP]And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [SUP]23 [/SUP]But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. [SUP]24 [/SUP]The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. [SUP]25 [/SUP]It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? [SUP]26 [/SUP]Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. [SUP]27 [/SUP]What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. [SUP]28 [/SUP]And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 10:34-39
[SUP]34 [/SUP]Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. [SUP]35 [/SUP]For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [SUP]36 [/SUP]And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. [SUP]37 [/SUP]He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [SUP]38 [/SUP]And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. [SUP]39 [/SUP]He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

 

[AsifinPassing]

Liamson, thank you, brother. Prayers for you, and remember to seek first God and His kingdom. We love because He first loved us, and We can often lose our first love, like revelation talks about. If I can help in any part of your faith journey, let me know.
It's in Jesus we find life. Spend time with and in Christ. That's the key a lot of us neglect for some reason.

Blessings in Lynx, Siberian, and Jacob too. Thaks for responding, guys.

 

[DCrawshawJr]

How's my heart? It's an awful awful awful awful mess (I just saw Back To The Future Part II recently ). But I know that Jesus is working on it.

As for setting my heart on romantic relationships. I don't know. I may have a problem, but then again, I may not. I don't want a relationship for the sake of having a relationship. I want a wife, for the sake of a hedge against fornication, and built-in fellowship; not that a wife is the only way to get the latter, but with another like-minded soul, it helps. As for the former, I can't have just someone to sleep with; I need someone to sleep with for the right reason, and that is; our mutual faith in Jesus Christ. THAT is why I include the latter. Neither reason is sinful, both reasons are good. Not that I'll present my case so bluntly, because I want my wife to be comfortable with and feel safe with me.

As for any other sort of relationships, I believe that setting my heart on fellowship of like-minded souls for the sake of being together is good. Doesn't Jesus command this in several places in Scripture?

So yeah, my heart? It needs work, but that's why we believe, right?

 

[ServantStrike]

Well, outwardly and by society's definitions, I'm a good person.

But, then again I don't really think society's definitions have ever been the most valuable for the Christian walk.

I'm with Donkeyfish. I'm backslidden. I don't pray enough, don't read my bible enough, don't have a good fellowship to go to, and frankly my own behavior appalls me. Willful and disobedient sinning with the hand held high with a side of profanity on occasion.

And while we're on the topic of better living through the misapplication of scripture, I feel convicted whenever I think of Hewbrews 10:26. The odd thing is I'm not a legalist, I'm not an advocate of Old Testament law, and last I checked I didn't go sacrificing animals to make up for some perceived lack of forgiveness in Christ. I just feel condemned, because my heart is pretty vile at the moment.

26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.


I guess I'm still honest though, so there's that.

 

[DCrawshawJr]

ServantStrike, I know EXACTLY how you feel. Hebrews 10:26 and the unpardonable sin are passages in Scripture that scared me senseless. The latter is what started my scrupulosity about nine years ago. (This may explain my intensity towards marriage, but not entirely).

It took me years to get into a more stable frame of mind. Now, I'm not at that point where I can help you with certain Scripture passages, because I get confused on them sometimes. What I CAN tell you is that the Bible never contradicts itself. Why would God be His own hypocrite? This is why backing up Scripture with other parts of Scripture is essential to understanding Scripture. However, I first suggest you continue to pray to Jesus, then seek counsel from someone who knows Scripture; REALLY knows Scripture. However, don't just take the counsel's word for it, look it up yourself, and try to avoid any personal bias. Pray to and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you to the correct interpretation of Scripture, because THAT is absolutely vital to understanding the Scriptures. Reminds me of Romans 12:2.

 

[Shortstop17]

This question is throwing me through a ringer.
Christmas time seems to always be a rough time for me and unfortunately it takes quite a toll on my relationship with God. I don't pray the way I should I guess. I am very thankful for all the blessings he has given me but I don't fit in very well around home and that becomes very obvious this time of year, so my prayers tend to turn into complaints and that isn't right. God deserves my praise and thankfulness not my whining! So my relationships (all of them) need some work. =/

Would a relationship help? I'm not sure, I highly doubt it. In the long run maybe, I guess? But I would have to fix my relationship with God first before i even attempted a relationship with someone else.