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O
Well isn't that just rich? You've had a real nasty two years so, let's give up on God? The child died, the tornado hit, the house burned down, I'm an addict, and the cure for all this is to give up on God because it's all His fault? Totally rich!
Genesis tell us we made the mistake of eating from the tree of knowledge when we were told not to. We now have Divine Knowledge; we humans are no longer innocent. Our sin nature has spent the rest of the time, from Genesis till now, destroying the perfect garden of Eden. God saw our sin and despaired for us, mourned for us, and sacrificed His own Son for our salvation, all out of His Love for us. But we even screwed that up, therefore it is His fault.
You're going to have to man up and understand that your sin and the sin nature of the world have brought about your calamities. God offers you forgiveness of your sins, but not the sin itself. Whatever sin you commit continues it's 'life'. Sin dominoes and causes other sin and is a tragedy, but not God's fault. I swear, if you're having difficulty understanding what God's will is for your life right now, then just suffice to know it is probably to stop the sin you've started. To rectify that which you have done wrong.
Believe me, I am pretty certain that not even Saints break even.
Genesis tell us we made the mistake of eating from the tree of knowledge when we were told not to. We now have Divine Knowledge; we humans are no longer innocent. Our sin nature has spent the rest of the time, from Genesis till now, destroying the perfect garden of Eden. God saw our sin and despaired for us, mourned for us, and sacrificed His own Son for our salvation, all out of His Love for us. But we even screwed that up, therefore it is His fault.
You're going to have to man up and understand that your sin and the sin nature of the world have brought about your calamities. God offers you forgiveness of your sins, but not the sin itself. Whatever sin you commit continues it's 'life'. Sin dominoes and causes other sin and is a tragedy, but not God's fault. I swear, if you're having difficulty understanding what God's will is for your life right now, then just suffice to know it is probably to stop the sin you've started. To rectify that which you have done wrong.
Believe me, I am pretty certain that not even Saints break even.
M
Do we repent to seek a reward?
James 4
You do not have because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,
When we repent, it is part of us knowing the Lord better, part of the process of dying to the self and replacing our own motives with what he wants our motives to be
Consider what Christs told us in Luke 12
27“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
We repent to change, to be renewed in our minds and hearts with his words, because it is what's right in the Lords sight
Our reward is in heaven, and our motives still shall be to do what is right even when no reward is received here.
Knowing better ...the Almighty ...maker of heaven and earth...should be reward enough
His grace is sufficient
John 14:2 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Keep up your faith in him, stand firm till the end
James 4
You do not have because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,
When we repent, it is part of us knowing the Lord better, part of the process of dying to the self and replacing our own motives with what he wants our motives to be
Consider what Christs told us in Luke 12
27“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
We repent to change, to be renewed in our minds and hearts with his words, because it is what's right in the Lords sight
Our reward is in heaven, and our motives still shall be to do what is right even when no reward is received here.
Knowing better ...the Almighty ...maker of heaven and earth...should be reward enough
His grace is sufficient
John 14:2 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Keep up your faith in him, stand firm till the end
You may give up on Him, but He won't give up on you 
.
A sincere relationship with Christ is one in which we enjoy each others company...the person and the Spirit, just for the sake of relationship. Would you really want to be friends with someone who wanted to be your friend only if you gave him stuff, or helped his image, or made the bad things go away. This is a Santa Claus type of Christ. Though He can do these very things, He first needs to be sought for the value of the relationship. Seek Him first, and everything gets thrown in as a bonus...not as the goal. ( Matthew 6:33:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.)
He wants to be your everything. And it isn't because He wants you to know who is boss, etc. It's because the reality of the reality is that we are the created and He is the Creator. Until we get that right, nothing will make sense.
Praying for you that you will not let Satan steal your joy...that you will genuinely seek His face because He loves you...even in the hard stuff. May the Holy Spirit keep knocking and you will invite Him into your heart....."whole-heartedly".
.A sincere relationship with Christ is one in which we enjoy each others company...the person and the Spirit, just for the sake of relationship. Would you really want to be friends with someone who wanted to be your friend only if you gave him stuff, or helped his image, or made the bad things go away. This is a Santa Claus type of Christ. Though He can do these very things, He first needs to be sought for the value of the relationship. Seek Him first, and everything gets thrown in as a bonus...not as the goal. ( Matthew 6:33:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.)
He wants to be your everything. And it isn't because He wants you to know who is boss, etc. It's because the reality of the reality is that we are the created and He is the Creator. Until we get that right, nothing will make sense.
Praying for you that you will not let Satan steal your joy...that you will genuinely seek His face because He loves you...even in the hard stuff. May the Holy Spirit keep knocking and you will invite Him into your heart....."whole-heartedly"
.
W
Ronnie, people all to often speak before they think. Life is hard, whoever says it is not, is obviously not living. It is hard in the midst of a tornado going on in our lives to see the rainbow through it all. However Ronnie that doesn't mean the rainbow is not there it is just not visible to us at that time.
The Lord understand how you feel more than anyone else, He wants to just hold you in His loving arms, He wants to take away all the pain, all the hurt, all the disappointment. He looks at you with such pride, His creation. The person He sacrificed himself for on the cross, because Ronnie He truly knows your worth.
We and I say we because this includes me, all to often give up on the Lord. Thank GOD He never ever gives up on us. He is your loving father that wants to be with just you. Talk to Him like you would a friend, there are so many theologians Ronnie that have all the scripture all the understand, can quote scripture left, right and centre.
That is great, but the personalness of our God is what it is all about, when He is the one we always turn to for wise counsel, He is always there, and remember the Lord knew you would respent and do it again, He knew how hard it was going to be to change, that is why He has done it all ahead of you Ronnie.
Rest in the Lord my friend, res in the Lord.
The Lord understand how you feel more than anyone else, He wants to just hold you in His loving arms, He wants to take away all the pain, all the hurt, all the disappointment. He looks at you with such pride, His creation. The person He sacrificed himself for on the cross, because Ronnie He truly knows your worth.
We and I say we because this includes me, all to often give up on the Lord. Thank GOD He never ever gives up on us. He is your loving father that wants to be with just you. Talk to Him like you would a friend, there are so many theologians Ronnie that have all the scripture all the understand, can quote scripture left, right and centre.
That is great, but the personalness of our God is what it is all about, when He is the one we always turn to for wise counsel, He is always there, and remember the Lord knew you would respent and do it again, He knew how hard it was going to be to change, that is why He has done it all ahead of you Ronnie.
Rest in the Lord my friend, res in the Lord.
D
I've thought about doing this to...but what would I turn to? I have also had a pretty bad last two years spiritually. Physically I'm handicap and getting worse, financially I have no money to speak of. Living off the generosity of my family. I have no outlook for the future.
But what would I turn to? There isn't anything else I actually believe because I have seen God work before.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
I encourage people to pray this from the psalm in these times
Psalm 139:23-24
New International Version (NIV)
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
And when I wonder where God has gone He showed me this
Psalm 22[a]
1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.[b]
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.[c]
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
But what would I turn to? There isn't anything else I actually believe because I have seen God work before.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
I encourage people to pray this from the psalm in these times
Psalm 139:23-24
New International Version (NIV)
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
And when I wonder where God has gone He showed me this
Psalm 22[a]
1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.[b]
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.[c]
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
1
Things like this can teach us that faith is a gift from God that we can't conjure up on our own. Given our inbuilt weaknesses, and our pain, and skewed perspective on things, we truly do need for faith to be a gift. When we find ourselves thinking, "I can't have faith." - it shows us that on our own we can't make faith, and we need to be given that as a gift too.
This whole thing is by grace, so that no man can boast.
This whole thing is by grace, so that no man can boast.
My life was worst and still being the one I don´t like but, if I leave God or Jesus, I am sure what is going to happen, since I left Him once and, before surrendering and acknowledging I deserve death and eternal punishment (for being as I was and I am) God gave me more than a hope: I way to live and be living (BELIEVING).
You are free to do what you want. Time will tell you are wrong or right (I don´t dare to give up).
You are free to do what you want. Time will tell you are wrong or right (I don´t dare to give up).
J
I love what woka said!It was true and heart felt. I have been having a bad 5 yrs with anxiety and uncontrolable physical side effects from it! But even though I am not sure if I can be healed from this and be certain of the outcome being what I want and desire.. I know one thing when you have tried all things in your way and on your own and feel misery and pain from it then you can count on that becoming postive and relying on jesus is the best solution! I suggest you read some books by joyce meyer if you havent..it takes time to get into what the books are about but just like the bible you take it in slowly and really think about it! I like her books"the battlefeild of the mind"and "where your at on the way to were your going" and I think that you couls benefit from knowing that our thoughts be they negative we can only expect that if we are negative in ouir minds that our lives could very well reflect that way and become what we think and say! I pray for you to seek him even if your thoughts are confused,tired,doubtful,and weary. I know we are fashioned to believe in only what we can see and believe that if we had someone that was always with us there would be no struggles or pain but without struggle where would compassion be felt if we had no problems whom would we need at all? No one so since we do have pain suffer and struggle we need something right y not him? I think that if you take it one small step at a time and replace on negative thought,word, or doubt and reverse it in your mind you will change things in your life and not even notice it at first. Jesus will show you in time you will not see your work you put into your relationship be in vain or for nothing you will and can and deserve to be blessed! I hope that things go better fot you really soon!I jesus name I pray amen!
You think being Christian is a ticket to a worry free life? Just the opposite, once you accept Christ in your heart the enemy sees a big red bulls-eye on your chest. satan's going to attack you just to see if he CAN make you relent and turn from God. Read the book of Job... and understand what staying strong and faithful despite the attacks can ultimately bring.
B
Job 40:7 Now gird up your loins like a man;I will ask you, and you instruct me. harsh? Or truth? I was told this when I was homeless for 3 years brother. We all know that it rains upon us all!!( matt 5:45) It is not the rain that hurts us,it is our mind expecting the worse from it that can!
The real sin many of us good brother seem to have the biggest problem with is unbelief! "But God i prayed and you have forgiven me,so why oh why, am I still suffering???( heb 10:36!!)" How long we must endure,depends greatly on how willing we are to learn. For me brother it was 3 LONG HARD years!
But I was very hard headed! LOL Are we established in Christ Jesus the moment we give our life to him?? i sure was not brother!! I had to learn first how to believe!! No matter how i felt, or what I was going through at the time! The foundation i laid was in sand,and when told, Jesus build me a much better house with no fear or worry,i had to believe this before I would follow him to my new house in him!( Psalm 127:1)
I went a ways then stopped, thinking it was to far for me to walk,Jesus waited. He kept saying continue,do not stop,for follow does not stop or go back,follow follows! "But Lord!!!! The way is so hard!!! And so many who are not on our narrow road are looking for me to take a much easier path!"
Then the Lord would say,that is true,but that path leads to a place i am not at,so would you be better to stay where I am at,or go to a place i am not at?( heb 11:6) It is not easy my good brother Ronnie!! But if you will be willing to follow, the fine house Jesus built for you and your family to live in is well worth the trip!
I remember I wanted to visit a close friend, but he lived in California,many miles from where i lived in Michigan.But we had become very close as friends,and he had talked about how the Lord had started a very fine church in his area and looked for me to visit him to see it.
So for the same joy Jesus had for us, when he was nailed upon the cross( heb 12:2) I went to visit him. The joy Jesus had here while in so much pain,and torture upon that cross, he saw us coming to him,taking that cross of love and following him always!!
No matter how we felt or were going through. The trip was long,and not very easy! Finally after flat tires,large thunderstorms,rain and hail,dust storms,i got there! You see brother I was not concerned about what was to happen on my way there,I knew when I got there it was worth all the problems I had endured to get there!AND!!! IT WAS!!
I spent several days with my brother in Christ and was very blessed by the Lord for going there. Many were saved and healing of almost every kind took place in that church to the Glory of God! And unknown to me!!I received money to get back in style!! God rewards those who indeed BELIEVE AND SEEK HIM!!
It is not always easy brother Ronnie I sure understand! BUT NEVER!!!! EVER!!!! GIVE UP!!! For by doing so you will never ever see the reward you so long for!( john 10:10)The enemy will fight us ever step of the way,because he knows what will happen if you are willing to follow to the end!! FOLLOW!!!! brother means just that!!
I have learned, and so will all his people,one way or another!! The reward is not only found in things,but also through these Words a brother spoke to me through the Lord when I arrived!!( 1 cor 1:4-9!!) AMEN!!! Those words are also to you Ronnie!!If you will just dare to follow to the end!!God bless you brother!
The real sin many of us good brother seem to have the biggest problem with is unbelief! "But God i prayed and you have forgiven me,so why oh why, am I still suffering???( heb 10:36!!)" How long we must endure,depends greatly on how willing we are to learn. For me brother it was 3 LONG HARD years!
But I was very hard headed! LOL Are we established in Christ Jesus the moment we give our life to him?? i sure was not brother!! I had to learn first how to believe!! No matter how i felt, or what I was going through at the time! The foundation i laid was in sand,and when told, Jesus build me a much better house with no fear or worry,i had to believe this before I would follow him to my new house in him!( Psalm 127:1)
I went a ways then stopped, thinking it was to far for me to walk,Jesus waited. He kept saying continue,do not stop,for follow does not stop or go back,follow follows! "But Lord!!!! The way is so hard!!! And so many who are not on our narrow road are looking for me to take a much easier path!"
Then the Lord would say,that is true,but that path leads to a place i am not at,so would you be better to stay where I am at,or go to a place i am not at?( heb 11:6) It is not easy my good brother Ronnie!! But if you will be willing to follow, the fine house Jesus built for you and your family to live in is well worth the trip!
I remember I wanted to visit a close friend, but he lived in California,many miles from where i lived in Michigan.But we had become very close as friends,and he had talked about how the Lord had started a very fine church in his area and looked for me to visit him to see it.
So for the same joy Jesus had for us, when he was nailed upon the cross( heb 12:2) I went to visit him. The joy Jesus had here while in so much pain,and torture upon that cross, he saw us coming to him,taking that cross of love and following him always!!
No matter how we felt or were going through. The trip was long,and not very easy! Finally after flat tires,large thunderstorms,rain and hail,dust storms,i got there! You see brother I was not concerned about what was to happen on my way there,I knew when I got there it was worth all the problems I had endured to get there!AND!!! IT WAS!!
I spent several days with my brother in Christ and was very blessed by the Lord for going there. Many were saved and healing of almost every kind took place in that church to the Glory of God! And unknown to me!!I received money to get back in style!! God rewards those who indeed BELIEVE AND SEEK HIM!!
It is not always easy brother Ronnie I sure understand! BUT NEVER!!!! EVER!!!! GIVE UP!!! For by doing so you will never ever see the reward you so long for!( john 10:10)The enemy will fight us ever step of the way,because he knows what will happen if you are willing to follow to the end!! FOLLOW!!!! brother means just that!!
I have learned, and so will all his people,one way or another!! The reward is not only found in things,but also through these Words a brother spoke to me through the Lord when I arrived!!( 1 cor 1:4-9!!) AMEN!!! Those words are also to you Ronnie!!If you will just dare to follow to the end!!God bless you brother!
S
I to have had problems with depression and anxiety, leading to a constant battle with negative thoughts. I liked your comment on negative thoughts reflecting on the way we think, act and say.
I recently bought a book written by Joyce Meyer, regarding negative thinking and found it helpful indeed.
I wish you well on your life's journey and the strength of the Lord keeps you strong.
I recently bought a book written by Joyce Meyer, regarding negative thinking and found it helpful indeed.
I wish you well on your life's journey and the strength of the Lord keeps you strong.
S
Well said Brighthouse indeed..I unlike Ronnie am not thinking of giving up on God, but due to a family crisis in which my wife has cancer and getting chemo therapy, I do at times feel alone. What you said to Ronnie was pleasing for me to read..to be reminded why we aren't alone and that the Lord is with my family always.
God Bless you.
God Bless you.
1. Watch your language.
2. God sometimes delays answers to prayer hence patience is an essential virtue in the Christian faith. Don't be discouraged. I think you should start by asking Him to increase your faith.
Psalms 40:1-4
1. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
2. God sometimes delays answers to prayer hence patience is an essential virtue in the Christian faith. Don't be discouraged. I think you should start by asking Him to increase your faith.
Psalms 40:1-4
1. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.