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Faith is like a precious gem, you have to hold onto it with both hands in order to keep from losing it. We live in a world where it is easy to lose faith. In a world with an enemy who is constantly looking for a kink in the armor of believers. I think all of us have been there. You get older and look at the state of the world and the thought enters your mind, is God real? You look at the scientific explanations for how the universe evolved and it seems to make so much sense. Or it could be as simple as Sunday morning rolls around and you just want a couple hours more sleep. It's not long before your afraid or embarrassed to return to church for fear of what others may think.
I think the first step if recognizing that these are attacks. Attacks of the enemy aimed at keeping you from the renewing power of Christ's love. Take the last example. It started with a little laziness on a Sunday, maybe a couple of Sunday's. The fear of judgement keeps you away further. After a while you start wondering if you really believe at all. This is what Satan wants.
And it requires prayer and persistence to overcome. Think of it as a battle. Simply put.....put those thoughts aside, and return to Christ. He understands what your going through and will forgive.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Through Christ you can over come!
Prayer for Hope and Strength
Lord, teach me to pray again. I have drifted away from you. Bring me back like the good shepherd brings his lost sheep. Teach me to trust in you completely and to surrender my life to you. Never let me worry about anything, for you are the answer to all my worries and my refuge in times of trouble.
You brought me where I am in spite of my many weaknesses and mistakes, you gave my life a meaning and you set my steps on this path of love and devotion. Help me be strong and face whatever challenges the future might bring. When I'm too tired, give me strength to carry on. When hope is gone, bring it back with your power. Keep the candle burning for me, so that I may never get lost on the way. Amen
I think the first step if recognizing that these are attacks. Attacks of the enemy aimed at keeping you from the renewing power of Christ's love. Take the last example. It started with a little laziness on a Sunday, maybe a couple of Sunday's. The fear of judgement keeps you away further. After a while you start wondering if you really believe at all. This is what Satan wants.
And it requires prayer and persistence to overcome. Think of it as a battle. Simply put.....put those thoughts aside, and return to Christ. He understands what your going through and will forgive.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Through Christ you can over come!
Prayer for Hope and Strength
Lord, teach me to pray again. I have drifted away from you. Bring me back like the good shepherd brings his lost sheep. Teach me to trust in you completely and to surrender my life to you. Never let me worry about anything, for you are the answer to all my worries and my refuge in times of trouble.
You brought me where I am in spite of my many weaknesses and mistakes, you gave my life a meaning and you set my steps on this path of love and devotion. Help me be strong and face whatever challenges the future might bring. When I'm too tired, give me strength to carry on. When hope is gone, bring it back with your power. Keep the candle burning for me, so that I may never get lost on the way. Amen
B
Brother thatbaldsolider You cannot lose what you never had to start with good brother.Jesus wants us to lose any replacement of his Spirit, a religious spirit can be an idol as well,your works vs his already fulfilled grace! When Jesus came to us good brother,he did not come to bring peace in mans ways,for when the natural comes into contact with the supernatural,something got to give!( matt 10:32-42!!)
Jesus good brother came to live and die, and rise again so we would do the very same,we first have life,then after we come to know our Jesus,our flesh is put to death( gal 2:20) and if we stay faithful to follow our Jesus,through good times as well as hard times,we bear good fruit therefore proving both to ourselfs and those who would look upon us,we are indeed his disciples.( john 15:1-9!!!)
All sheep go astray brother,some wonder to far from the good shepherd,as i have myself,but no matter where we get entangled,we can always hear the voice of our Jesus!( hebrews 12:1-2) And the Lord said take care what you have listened to my brother!! For by what you have heard,and payed attention to,is the condition of our hearts, as well as our minds!( mark 4:24)
Today is a new day good brother,a new season for you, as well as for so many that are reading this today. My 90 year old mother is passing soon,her eyes light up with love as she sees me,because she is not seeing me,but Jesus in me. She is ready and prepared to sit at the table of Jesus and eat with him,this my good brother is how we all are to become in him.
For there are many good brother in your own life, who really need touching,and the enemy has caused a great darkness to fall upon your hard heart,for you paid more attention to those away from the faith,then you did those who are truly in the faith,many have caused you to stumble so you would become a stumbling block yourself to others.
This as you know is not the will of God himself! His love is ever present,ever ready with open arms to receive you once again brother,i know, because i to once believed i had lost my own faith! It was never lost brother,it was I was not seeking in the right place!My own heart!( 1 Sam 16:7) I was fearful to brother.
Because at the time i knew my actions never fit my own words to others,or to me.( james 1:22) I found out as you are brother, that saying one believes is not the same as believing themselves,unless action is associated with it.This can only come through, and by Holy Spirit who reveled to us Jesus in the first place!
I encourage you brother,to rise back up upon your feet,and become established in God's Word so no more fear can enter your mind,looking to establish your present action. If you had no value, Jesus would not have choose you to begin with brother!( john 15:16-17) For through your life,Jesus wishes to become established, so that through you good brother others can be!
It is not our Jesus who changes,the change takes place in our minds to either believe or not believe,no matter what!( Daniel 3:16-18!!) verse 18!!! But even if he does not! That is belief in what God has already done,it no longer has any bearing upon what others say or do,we just believe God!
From the sight of ones own death in there faith,many consider themselves never coming back,when you do not realize just how close to life one truly is!!( mark 5:35-36!!) Do not be afraid any longer, only believe brother!! Only BELIEVE!!! amen!
Jesus good brother came to live and die, and rise again so we would do the very same,we first have life,then after we come to know our Jesus,our flesh is put to death( gal 2:20) and if we stay faithful to follow our Jesus,through good times as well as hard times,we bear good fruit therefore proving both to ourselfs and those who would look upon us,we are indeed his disciples.( john 15:1-9!!!)
All sheep go astray brother,some wonder to far from the good shepherd,as i have myself,but no matter where we get entangled,we can always hear the voice of our Jesus!( hebrews 12:1-2) And the Lord said take care what you have listened to my brother!! For by what you have heard,and payed attention to,is the condition of our hearts, as well as our minds!( mark 4:24)
Today is a new day good brother,a new season for you, as well as for so many that are reading this today. My 90 year old mother is passing soon,her eyes light up with love as she sees me,because she is not seeing me,but Jesus in me. She is ready and prepared to sit at the table of Jesus and eat with him,this my good brother is how we all are to become in him.
For there are many good brother in your own life, who really need touching,and the enemy has caused a great darkness to fall upon your hard heart,for you paid more attention to those away from the faith,then you did those who are truly in the faith,many have caused you to stumble so you would become a stumbling block yourself to others.
This as you know is not the will of God himself! His love is ever present,ever ready with open arms to receive you once again brother,i know, because i to once believed i had lost my own faith! It was never lost brother,it was I was not seeking in the right place!My own heart!( 1 Sam 16:7) I was fearful to brother.
Because at the time i knew my actions never fit my own words to others,or to me.( james 1:22) I found out as you are brother, that saying one believes is not the same as believing themselves,unless action is associated with it.This can only come through, and by Holy Spirit who reveled to us Jesus in the first place!
I encourage you brother,to rise back up upon your feet,and become established in God's Word so no more fear can enter your mind,looking to establish your present action. If you had no value, Jesus would not have choose you to begin with brother!( john 15:16-17) For through your life,Jesus wishes to become established, so that through you good brother others can be!
It is not our Jesus who changes,the change takes place in our minds to either believe or not believe,no matter what!( Daniel 3:16-18!!) verse 18!!! But even if he does not! That is belief in what God has already done,it no longer has any bearing upon what others say or do,we just believe God!
From the sight of ones own death in there faith,many consider themselves never coming back,when you do not realize just how close to life one truly is!!( mark 5:35-36!!) Do not be afraid any longer, only believe brother!! Only BELIEVE!!! amen!
B
You may be feeling down because of some normal issues. Something bad, or even tragic is probably happening or has happened to you in your life. I'm not sure, since you didn't give any detail (which is alright, you don't have to) but it's just a guess.
Always know that things do happen for a Reason. Do Not blame God for anything that's literally bad - always know that Satan exists as well, and that he is the cause for tragic or bad things going on. Also, do not assume that something is bad only because you think it is - it may be a blessing in disguise when it comes to the long run in life.
I personally don't have "faith" when it comes to believing God (although I have faith and trust in him) - I have Knowledge when it comes to believing God. Regardless of what atheists may say - "science" this, "science" that, it's literally Impossible for there not to be a God in the life that we live in.
Always remember this (I tried to put this very briefly):
Nothing is the absence of Everything.
Nothing can not create anything because it isn't anything. Therefore, something has to Self-Exist - simply, because we're here.
All different / unique forms of organisms and life / non-life are here, and we can not come from Nothing because nothing is the absence of everything and can not create anything because (once again) it isn't anything.
Therefore, a super natural "something" that has the ability to create many different / unique forms of life / non-life has to self-exist. That "something" is God.
It literally can not be anything else, as no one / thing can create a being / unique form of life / non-life that is an entirely different species (thing) than itself. Something super natural has to have this creative ability since it is not natural in the world we live in.
More details with what I'm saying can also be found in these sites:
Is there an argument for the existence of God?
Is there any conclusive proof of God?
It is more than likely that it is the God from the Christian point of view and Bible because of certain scriptures / information that have been written particularly in the Bible are impossible to be known without the literal use of this super natural, self-existent being (God) - example: Job 26:7, as I describe more so in the link below.
http://christianchat.com/christian-...r-favorite-scripture-s-bible.html#post1679775
I hope this has helped you out. God Bless.
Always know that things do happen for a Reason. Do Not blame God for anything that's literally bad - always know that Satan exists as well, and that he is the cause for tragic or bad things going on. Also, do not assume that something is bad only because you think it is - it may be a blessing in disguise when it comes to the long run in life.
I personally don't have "faith" when it comes to believing God (although I have faith and trust in him) - I have Knowledge when it comes to believing God. Regardless of what atheists may say - "science" this, "science" that, it's literally Impossible for there not to be a God in the life that we live in.
Always remember this (I tried to put this very briefly):
Nothing is the absence of Everything.
Nothing can not create anything because it isn't anything. Therefore, something has to Self-Exist - simply, because we're here.
All different / unique forms of organisms and life / non-life are here, and we can not come from Nothing because nothing is the absence of everything and can not create anything because (once again) it isn't anything.
Therefore, a super natural "something" that has the ability to create many different / unique forms of life / non-life has to self-exist. That "something" is God.
It literally can not be anything else, as no one / thing can create a being / unique form of life / non-life that is an entirely different species (thing) than itself. Something super natural has to have this creative ability since it is not natural in the world we live in.
More details with what I'm saying can also be found in these sites:
Is there an argument for the existence of God?
Is there any conclusive proof of God?
It is more than likely that it is the God from the Christian point of view and Bible because of certain scriptures / information that have been written particularly in the Bible are impossible to be known without the literal use of this super natural, self-existent being (God) - example: Job 26:7, as I describe more so in the link below.
http://christianchat.com/christian-...r-favorite-scripture-s-bible.html#post1679775
I hope this has helped you out. God Bless.