*Zion*

We all need help. No one has all the answers. But all the answers can only be found in God's Word. That is why we must insist on its authority in all things, especially our conversions to Christ, or else we are all in very real trouble.

The writers of the scriptures did not work this independently of the Word that God had already spoken beforehand. The Word, Yehoshua Himself is what every letter of scripture bears testimony of. The Spirit bears strong witness and complete and accurate confirmation of the Word.

No, my dear I disagree. Not to be pedantic, but when dealing with these things we must be entirely clear. The Holy Spirit is not God's Word, although He testifies of it. Now the scriptures clearly testify that Jesus, the Son of God, is also God's Word.

Many people have become born again having never heard the Word of God previously until that point, but it is the Word of God that the Holy Spirit breathes into in order to be born again. May I ask then how it was that you became born again. What means did the Holy Spirit use to travail you into newness of life? Did you see something? Did you hear a voice? Peter asked the Lord Jesus where else he could go, seeing as the Lord alone had the WORDS of ETERNAL LIFE. There is no life, old or new, except by God's Word, for any human being. Both scripture and the Holy Spirit must have been involved somehow in your being born again, as it must have been with each person's coming to Christ. We all needed both to do so. No one is exempt from this.

We all must be wary of anything that does not agree or sets itself against God's Word. It is the foundation of all foundations. We must never be offended by it, but rather be edified by it. Man can not live by bread alone, but by EVERY Word which proceeds from the mouth of God. I'd rather disagree with a person than disagree with God. If I disagree with His Word, I automatically disagree with Him.

As we all ought to

Exactly. We are dealing with the Trinity here. Father Son and Holy Spirit. Father sent the Son who is the Word made flesh. Holy Spirit cannot contradict God's Word because He is the very Breath of God by which the Word was spoken. So the Spirit of God MUST lead you to the Word of God, not negate it.

Ah. Right. Gotcha.

Not at all. If by God's Word you are led, then what can anyone have against you? I was just stating my agreement with Enoob, that there's a difference between led by emotions and our emotions being impacted by God's leading through His Word. If he (Enoob) were to come at me with a bunch of emotions to compel me, without God's Word to back it up I'd tell him the same thing (I'd be surprised that I'd need to tell him, and verily disappointed too). Same goes for me. You see me getting me whipped up by emotions you had better tell me to slow my roll

Agreed. We should take the Word of God extremely seriously, for the Word is God Himself. He is the Word of LIFE and POWER, not Religiosity. There is a difference. For freedom he has set us free, not for legalism. Let's search the scriptures to find that freedom

Amen. We are led by God's Spirit through His Word, not through our emotions. Now, of course, are emotions will be affected, because God impacts us so mightily. In Him we live and move and have our being. But I will not take someone's say so for anything as concrete truth. We can all theorize until the cows come home but unless it lines right up with scripture no one has to accept it. That goes for every single human being, even those in power. God save the Queen but I doubt that she is infallible. I respect her highly, of course but you'd have to be pretty naive to think it. Truth.

Amen. Just because someone makes the choice to follow Jesus doesn't mean God won't allow them to change their minds. That's about as unlegalistic as you can get. We have free will every step of the way. As long we stay in covenant with Jesus, we are covered. When we step outside of that covering we are no longer protected by it. It's our choice. Sadly, some won't endure with Christ to the very end. But all who do have a lasting salvation. It is not legalistic to endure. It is what God, by His mercy and grace empowers us to do, especially when He promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us. So if we decide to forsake or deny Him - which would be a rejection of Him, how would we then expect Him to accept us simply because we believed him once upon a time? I'm not against reconciliation, but for me this is exactly like if I were to divorce my husband, because we were going through a tough time, only to discover that I need his help, and let's say for argument's sake that I would only have access to that help if only I were married to him, and without marriage, much as he would love to help me, he would not be in a position to help me, as I have moved beyond his reach by my own actions: We'd have to get married again, there would have to be an actual reconciliation there in order for me to access to whatever solution I needed. Also, let's imagine that I propose to him just because I'm running out of time. This a last minute deal, and the pressure is on me. Such a remarriage would be a questionable one anyway - he would not have any confidence in my motives, I would be the one to come back to him, to remarry again; and seeing as I am married to a human being and not God, I can't count on the grace and mercy and love that God affords. He would be absolutely within his rights not to choose to marry me again, even if it were to help me. And I doubt that anyone would blame him. Even I'm on his side with this one. And this is just a hypothetical. I think it's just the same with us and God. We cannot treat our relationship with God as a last minute deal. We have to be more genuine than that. With regards to the original post, I agree, this is a time of shaking, but in a funny way I believe it's also a time of grace. God is using this hardship to remind people that there is a God, His Name is Jesus and He is our only salvation. People are coming to Him, coming back to Him, and drawing closer to Him because of what we are going through. There is no one else we can depend upon. Also, we have a lot more time on our hands, we can read God's Word more, pray more, devote more time and attention to Him. Of course we had every opportunity to do so even before now, but especially now, we have a great opportunity to do so. He works everything together according to good for us, out of genuine love. I think all He's asking of us is our best. He'll take care of the rest. I hope I'm making sense

My Pastor, and others I'm sure, call it the religious spirit. Unfortunately, as you know, it is alive and well in much of what we call Christianity today. Martin Luther fought against it, and the result was the reformation of the church from Catholicism. But I don't think it's prejudiced against denominations. Anyone, if not careful, can come under the influence of this spirit. I agree, it is a waste, of God's grace and power, willing to work in and through us. And a shame too.

Hehe, I guess these things have been on my mind, of late. Particularly the fact that Jesus is the ultimate fulfilling of the prophecy that is Isaiah 55:11. That hit me like a lightning bolt just recently, and has shifted my perspective on many things simultaneously and in such a glorious fashion. All glory to God - can it really go anywhere else?

I agree. Moreover I grieve at how 'I' has become so subjugated by the flesh. I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. I am made in God's image. Although I was born in original sin, I house the potential to be a vessel, a carrier of the Word, the Presence, the Power of God. And yet, because sin entered through flesh, my flesh is so vulnerable, and I am so susceptible to sin. Ultimately, it is 'I' who decides whether to succumb to the flesh or to obey God. I bear the responsibility of sin before God, not my flesh. My flesh is just a very vulnerable house in which 'I' live. Not to lay blame, but it was Eve, and Adam, who by their disobedience allowed sin to enter through the flesh, making it so vulnerable and weak to the point where God said in Genesis 6 that His Spirit would no longer strive with man for his only flesh. His being so corrputed to the point where he is just a walking vessel of sin. Imagine what we have lost, and how much, by inheritance of our parents, Adam and Eve. And yet, imagine what we have gained! Not just a revived spirit, but God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, dwelling in us!!! Praise God for His marvellous work for restoring the 'I' in me back to its original place and position in Him, to be a vessel. Everything that God has created is good. That includes you and me and all human beings. And so if we do sin against His Spirit, that which restores us back to life, we refuse it, thereby negating it. So how then can we accept that which we have refused? How then can we be forgiven of that which we won't acknowledge? Both from God's perspective, and man's, the point would be completely null and void. 'I' and not my flesh would bear the responsibility. Therefore 'I' would not be forgiven, having negated the very One who would lead me to conviction, and therefore repentance, and therefore forgiveness. I hope I am making sense Bless you!

This grieves me thoroughly. Christ wants us to live, know and experience His fullness. The enemy does not, and so he spreads his lies. There is a warning at the end of the book of Revelation that states woe to any who would add or remove anything from that book. Jesus Himself tells us that though all else will pass away, not one jot or tittle (in my mind's eye, a dot on an 'i' or cross on a 't') of His Word will pass away. If we have the audacity to mess around with God's Word we should know that: John 1 1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word ([a]Christ), and the Word was with God, and [b]the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the [c]darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]. It is we who do not understand how to rightly divide the Word of Life - Who IS God Himself, the All Consuming Fire. The Word became flesh so that NONE should perish but ALL have eternal life. If, as a gentile, I have to now pick and choose what applies to me, I have made a mockery of the whole act of sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One SENT for this reason to die a guilty man's death upon a cursed tree that I would be reconciled back to the Father through Him. I accept Him wholly, not by halves or half-heartedly. I take Him fully seriously, as He makes no mistakes, and is not reckless or unreliable. As has already been stated, ALL scripture is profitable for the believer (as there is now neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, man nor woman but all are one in Christ ANYWAY). That includes the Old Testament, which He came to fulfil by bringing the New Testament. Christ's Words are not the esoteric privilege of the Jews. We are all in Him together. Some may not like that, and feel the need to have some kind of superiority or pecking order to laud over others (which I sincerely hope is not the case). In this way, God also exposes the lie that is racism - all colours and hues thereof - sexism, social status, and all other manners of things one group of human beings would use to exert control over another group. Our finest fleshly efforts are as filthy rags before him, I'm afraid. Rather gloriously, His Word refutes these lies further by demonstration, in that He uses the weak things of this world to confound the strong, and the foolish things to confound the wise. Considering this, I have absolutely no problem in admitting just how weak and foolish I am. I need ALL of God's Word to help me, shape me, grow me, not just little bits and pieces here and there. If I can take life and health and growth from the example of Abraham as well as the example of Paul, then others will just have to bear with me

After giving this more thought, I think it's also because many Christians do not accurately perceive WHO the Holy Spirit is. HE is not an it. He is not just a force. He is a Person of the Trinity of God. Not a super power for us to throw at the enemy at our own whim or whenever we feel threatened by something. When we submit to God, then we can resist the devil and he will flee. So, may the Holy Spirit Himself enable us in His power to humble ourselves, submit to Him, and therefore be a mighty instrument of victory against the enemy in our obedience to God. May He also therefore enable us to tame our tongue or give our tongue the authority it needs to speak His Word, at the right time, so that we don't just simply leap from the frying pan into the fire. Too many times we shoot ourselves and our miracles,our testimonies, or just simply the presence of God in our lives in the foot - our tongue holding the trigger many times. Another warfare factor is worship. Worship unto God is a sure weapon against the enemy. Not only that, it is a true active example of submission unto God. Speaking out God's Word by His power in praise and worship unto Him - singing it out even (God loves singing) in itself puts us in a position of authority and victory over the enemy. It's not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, saith the Lord. Amen.

By God's help alone can we even tame our tongue. May the Lord have mercy and grace on us to speak and act in obedience, and therefore in victory

You could write history books and make some dosh. I'd read it, for sure

Agreed

Ok. So. My husband did something I thought he would never do. He admitted to everyone in our home group/cell group what has been going on between us. The whole group prayed for us. He also has agreed to go for counselling, both marital and personal. I am sure this is God. In the back of my mind I can't help but wonder if this is somehow part of his act, but it's so out of character for him. I know that God is fighting for me and my kids. I was so ready to leave but now I feel that something genuine is happening with him. Thank you guys for supporting my family in prayer. This has been so big. God is moving, and doing. God bless you all.

In theory, yes. I can pray for him, and even love him - but only from afar. When I'm in the same room with him I just feel exasperated. Drained. I can't live like that, and I can't be a good mother to my children. I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. I have to let the wound heal before I let anyone, let alone him, go poking it. One day I will be able to completely detach myself enough from him to not get worked up by memories, knowing they will never affect him the way they have done me. he will never lose a night's sleep over me the way I have over him, so many times. For now it'll just have to be theory. I need to do this one step, and one day, at a time.

I should have explained. My two older boys are on holiday in Poland with my husband's parents. Yep. He sends them away. I argue with him and he says the tickets are already paid for and you are spoiling their fun. And of course, as kids, they do think it's fun, and so I would be seen as the bad guy. so they go. I have two weeks of summer holiday left before they come back home. It's gonna feel like forever, but they will come back home for school, and then I can make some moves. God is good, and faithful.

It went well for me but not for him. I feel so free! I feel I am finally myself again. However, I am expecting retaliation of some kind. BUT now he knows others are fighting for me too, I'm not as isolated as he wants me to be. Also I have requested a private appointment with my female pastor. I'm seeing her this evening. There was a lot I couldn't say in front of him, and he knew it. Otherwise he would have just acted his way out of it, and moreover, I would be in great danger for exposing who he really is. I am not going to make any bold moves until my kids come back home. But by then at least she would know everything, just like my mum does now. Guys, there is strength in unity! I've never felt so looked after! How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in agreement! We really need to look after each other. Thank you, Worthy Fam for looking after me in prayer. God bless you all!

Yes it was today, and yes it was just as billiards ball said. he was very humble, didn't say a bad word about me, and they took his side. Initially. Of course he expected me to just roll over. I did not. God gave me strength in that room to say what I needed to say. I confronted him about his snail paced progress. I confronted him about his robotic-ness. I told him that I was not a victim, and that I will not just give in to him just because he said so. I said that I don't think about him anymore, just the kids. I have lost too much sleep over him, crying when he doesn't seem to care at all. I told him that I was too tired and i needed some space, and that I would be at my mother's house. He was shocked at this, considering that I am not so close with my family, and that he has tried to keep me isolated by moving far away. At first I didn't think I could tell my mother, but she is supporting me. He did not expect that. Then my pastors turned their attention more closely to him. I never thought I would see it. Suddenly, he was being held accountable. And he couldn't squirm out of it. My pastors prayed for me to be strong, bold, and for peace and joy for me. And told me that I was too polite, and that I needed to say 'no' more! I didn't know what to think of it all! Except to say thank you Jesus! Then they added insult to injury. They told me to be patient with him and speak in a way he could understand. You should have seen his face!!! He had no answer. The only thing he could do was agree. I know that God was fighting for me today. All glory to Him! my husband thought he could outsmart compassion with common sense. I guess God didn't want that done today. He knows I have the protection of the pastor's now. He knows if he tries his luck he would be exposed further. Thank you ALL for your prayers. God worked on my behalf. I feel free; I feel impossible. much love!!!!!