Church Bashing

[BarneyFife]

Thank you Marks,
Sure needed to hear that today, yesterday, day before...etc It's exactly how it works with me and it ALWAYS starts in the mind, and always a negative self defeating thought, thoughts of God not really loving me, He cares in material ways with the just and the unjust but it is the Spiritual that we all should be wanting to be blessed with. Funny how we (some) have no issues with trusting Him with our needs like, food, shelter...BUT...what I see missing in my life is Spiritual "sight", so as not to stumble. I stumble daily brother, and it is the most horrible thing as it's always the same thing, leaves me very weak in spirit.
Learning to walk in The Spirit WHILE being led by Him is ALL this gal desires yet, still eludes. Money and material things never meant anything to me, even in my B.C. days yet, He has made sure I can take care of my self alone, monetarily.
Sometimes it seems as though I'm going insane, for real...alone almost 100% of the time now...do not watch tv. One can only read the word for so long, be on this site for so long, play stupid mindless golf and bowling games on the phone for so long.

There is no Church around me that I will go to, or return to as, waste of time to myself as just cannot get close with folks and that hurts. So, choosing to stay home on Sunday makes me no difference. We can get our teaching, worship, and prayer done just fine at home but, it is the fellowship that is sorely missing here...never thought it would be so difficult to find Christian friends...in the flesh (You know what I mean, "IRL")
It's not healthy for mind, body or spirit to be so alone for the lions share of time but, what to do? Prayers for this very thing have gone unanswered for years so, what is one to think about that? I have much to give! Edification, empathy, rides for those too old or infirm to drive to church, Dr.'s visits, shopping, pray with, study with on and on.
I have to wonder why this prayer has not been answered? Unless I'm just fooling my own self and He has NOT "chosen" me? Yeah, INSANITY right now bro. Thanks for the post.

Praying for you, Sister!

This man has helped me greatly:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1dq4FBSWyKpVtEU53uHXHy_rMwxZ3HU8

 

[quietthinker]

You’re making this about eternal life when it’s not about eternal life. I believe those in outer darkness have eternal life.

you guy's are too easy to love even if you're not as right as me

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I'm going to have to give you an answer that isn't what you wanted to hear, but I believe it to be true.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2)

You will be God's daughter, and the Holy Spirit will be a down payment on what you will be when Jesus comes back. He'll help you. You'll get better. But your flesh is still wriggling on that cross, and you will still have to fight the urge to murder people again. But it's good to see you hungering and thirsting for Righteousness.

So I died already but nonetheless I still must wriggle on my cross until the day I die? I can’t actually die while I’m here on earth? Why pick up my cross to follow when it’s impossible?

 

[marks]

When we are quenching the Spirit are we then in Jesus? Is he then in us? If we ever sin at all any more are we fully dead then with him? Is that 'old man' of us really finally and completely dead?

Kind of like the number of people who made into the Promised Land from out of the wilderness, right?

Can we now say with Jesus: "And now I am no more in the world,..." John 17:11

Has our world of temptations passed away as did that of Jesus?

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." I John 2:17

Are we now doing only the will of God?

We are reconciled to God not on our own righteousness, but by Jesus' righteousness. But we have to receive the reconciliation.

Much love!

 

[amadeus]

We are reconciled to God not on our own righteousness, but by Jesus' righteousness. But we have to receive the reconciliation.

Much love!

I have heard this kind of an explanation before and it still does not fit with me. Could be I simply am not understanding it.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Sanctification is the work of a lifetime, my friend.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV: And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's word has literal, creative power. But it doesn't always appear to materialize instantly to us. This is all perfectly biblical, of course.

Isaiah 55:11 KJV: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

When God speaks or His Word is spoken or believed, It goes out on a mission and It doesn't come back until It has achieved what He intends.

He knows how long it's going to take for Him to perfect you (make you able to stand in the judgment) and He's got you covered. We're stubborn, but The LORD knows all about it. He has thousands of ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. No worries. It's okay to be duly concerned, though.

Im not worried. I’m actually really encouraged now that He calmed my passions and I’m not murdering and being made miserable all the time by my flesh. I just want others to know He will give us that freedom. When He gives it, it’s instant. So I just…want to give that encouragement and to let others know that He will do this for them, if they believe He will. But if they insist there’s no crucifying of the flesh here on earth, that’s the opposite of trusting Him for it so…

 

[Enoch111]

Simple...huh?

Indeed. Salvation is simple because God does not like to complicate things (unlike fallen man and evildoers). This is called "the simplicity that is in Christ".

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Cor 11:3)

 

[marks]

Praying for you, Sister!

This man has helped me greatly:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1dq4FBSWyKpVtEU53uHXHy_rMwxZ3HU8

Wow, just the titles make me look forward to these!

Much love!

 

[Nancy]

Praying for you, Sister!

This man has helped me greatly:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1dq4FBSWyKpVtEU53uHXHy_rMwxZ3HU8

Thanks Barny!

 

[amadeus]

Indeed. Salvation is simple because God does not like to complicate things (unlike fallen man and evildoers). This is called "the simplicity that is in Christ".

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Cor 11:3)

I am thinking that I understand and agree, but my mind is muddy this evening. Perhaps it is just me. Thanks for your response

 

[marks]

I have heard this kind of an explanation before and it still does not fit with me. Could be I simply am not understanding it.

If you feel there are any questions to be answered I will of course be happy in looking at answers. I know we've had these discussions before, so I'll leave it to you.

Much love!

 

[amadeus]

If you feel there are any questions to be answered I will of course be happy in looking at answers. I know we've had these discussions before, so I'll leave it to you.

Much love!

Thanks, but not tonight. My brain is very tired, and it requires great effort to focus on the subject. Tomorrow will be a new day. Maybe then I can look at it once more.
Give God the glory!

 

[Lambano]

So I died already but nonetheless I still must wriggle on my cross until the day I die? I can’t actually die while I’m here on earth? Why pick up my cross to follow when it’s impossible?

I don't know why we have this treasure in earthen vessels. We'll just have to walk by faith, not by sight.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I don't know why we have this treasure in earthen vessels. We'll just have to walk by faith, not by sight.

That’s good!
Walk by trust, not by what other men say, trust what God has said. Because there’s a lot of good encouragement in there that we often don’t see and believe because of what men have said.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

After I gave up trying to kill my flesh and started waiting for His promises, a verse I clung to really hard was: In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

And the more men said we will just always be stuck with our flesh and it will not die (but has already died ) the harder I clung to the promise. And I can absolutely attest He will do what He promised there.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I love you guys so much. I love talking with you. Even when you get cross with me I just love you so much. Our talks are always so wonderful and end with so much building up of our trust. I sometimes almost can’t believe how lucky I am to have you guys.

 

[quietthinker]

"The Sower went out to sow . . ." for instance . . . Jesus said no one comes to Him unless the Father draw Him, that was before the cross. Jesus also said that if He be lifted up, He would draw all men to Himself. So then, the parable of the Sower, should we place the meaning before or after the cross?

Excuse me for butting in, however I don't find it necessary to make these statements complex. The Fathers draws all people irrespective of which age they live in....even the heathen.....but do they recognise his drawing?.....no doubt many don't.
How does he do it, ie, what is the mechanism?.....I leave that to God. He drew A&E after their fall.....he drew Noah and Abraham and they responded.
I know from my own experience looking back, that God was drawing me from childhood the which I dismissed until I finally responded
Trying to ascertain whether it applies before or after the cross only messes with ones view and puts up unnecessary blocks premised on poor understandings.

 

[Brakelite]

Yes. Foolish galatian!
But…can God do it? Men say no. They say my flesh will always prevent it. But…I think they’re not speaking the truth. So…I was frightened about the parable of being thrown in prison but…now I’m not. I really, really trust God and think He can make me righteous in my heart. I think if I keep trusting Him He can help me die. Oh…see there - I was scared when I saw I couldn’t do it and tried to explain it away as hypothetical. But I’m not scared now that I believe He will do and can do all He said and all He commands me. So I should keep asking and waiting, right?

Have you ever prayed for those who have hurt you, prayed that they may come to know Christ and His forgiveness? Do you want to see them saved and in heaven?

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Have you ever prayed for those who have hurt you, prayed that they may come to know Christ and His forgiveness? Do you want to see them saved and in heaven?

Ive even thanked God for for them since He used them to bring invaluable good to me! They meant it for my bad but He meant it for my great good!
You almost can’t believe you just thanked God for them like…did that just come out of my mouth and heart???

 

[BarneyFife]

Thanks Barny!

Praise The LORD, Sister!