Leerah

Good day, everyone.

This is so personal, but i'll cut it short.

I know, my father in heaven already know how I feel and what I want to say before I even speak. I have no close friends to talk to but I have everybody on worthy forums, and I am thankful for that. The people I call family might never understand me, but I know that Christ will never abandon me. I feel I need to speak so my shoulders can feel lighter, and my heart can be at ease.

I have this huge burden,  I have never felt so much afraid. I feel like I am going to live a mediocre life all my life.. Please, keep me in your prayers. I am in need of a better job so much. Please do pray for my mother who is in terrible debt as well. I cannot do much for her now. Gods word is unfailing, and i know that one day everything will be okay. Please keep me in prayers of an ease mind as i continue trying to spiritual grow as well. I know that God already has a door open for me to walk through that no one will shut.

Thank you for reading though this.

Have a blessed and wonderful day.

9 hours ago, EdgarAllanGrow said:

I know that this thread is a bit older. When I became Christian around ten years I didn't see a reason to be baptized. I found God, I am saved, so why do I need to be baptized?

I never thought about this question anymore. I made a lot of steps in faith during this time. I went studying and got to know some Christians who taught me a lot about what Christianity can be like. I grew up in a Catholic area. In my area Catholics are famous for preaching water and drinking wine. In fact they are waisting a lot of money for luxery instead of those in need. I know that not ever Catholic is like that. During my time at university I learned that Christianity is different to that. There are people out there who really follow Jesus. But that is not the topic. It took a long time until I started thinking about being baptized. I understood that I recognized God and followed him. The question was: Is it necessary? When you look into the bible everyone who starts to follow God is baptized afterwards. In Mark 16, 16 is written: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (English Standard Version). This vers does not tell us that those who are not baptized are condemned. Those who do not believe are condemned. Obviously being baptized and believing belongs togehter. I don't know why but it is like that.

I decided to be baptized around one year ago. When I talked to my pastor about it he started to explain me everything about it. He told me that from that day on I make a kind of contract with God. I am really his through it. I cannot really write about this talk because I don't remember it good enough. But when I left his office I decided to walk home. It was cold and dark and I had to walk home around 15 minutes. Something in myself started fighting. Something tried to tell me that I am not good enough to belong to God and really was undecided. Should I be baptized? A bit later that evening God gave me peace about it. I was baptized around a month later and what is different? The world is as bad/good as before. But I was changed by it. I made very big steps in faith and it is worth it. It was bigger than I expected.

Even if you won't read it because you do not follow worthy anymore, maybe someone else will have your question and gets encouraged by my story. So I decided to leave it here.

Hi

I do follow worthy. Being away does not mean I am not following it.. I am just wordless these days, I have too much going on in my life to be watching debates.

3 hours ago, eileenhat said:

Do you need a contact there?

Found one at;

nfo@mvrsa.org

Coralie Roets

Missionary Ventures South Africa

http://mvsouthafrica.org/online/?page_id=27

 

ps: Don't know them personally, just located on the web and they seem helpful.

Might know of local study groups for example (use discernment).

This is so awesome. There is nothing more that I need than spiritual growth. I will visit their website just now and thank you so much.

Sweetheart,

the first scripture that came to mind when I read your post was "They worship me with their lips but their hearts are far from me" - Matthew 15:8 ...

Please understand that your husbands actions will never be like a Christians with his own strength. By this, I mean the holy spirit does the work not him, he doesn't seem like a man of God to me. But, I will be praying for you sweetheart. Hard times don't last. God loves you.

With Love.

Lerato

On ‎2016‎/‎10‎/‎08 at 4:37 PM, markdohle said:

I believe that the more thoughtful we are and you seem very thoughtful, the more we see our deeper inner struggles.  So you understand the struggle with doubt.  Many people have doubt but repress it and then they can come across as defensive and angry.  Doubt can encourage to go deeper into our faith experience and to study the Word as well as other writers who have gone through what you seem to be doing.  In this world, faith is needed, it gives us eyes to see and slowly we grow in our faith, then we see with the eyes of Christ Jesus, and our heart becomes his Heart, our arms his and our feet to minister and do help others are his as well.  Your are blessed. 

You are also a very good writer, I enjoyed reading your post.  Hope to see many more. 

In Christ Jesus love and peace
Mark

You have no idea what this means to me. I still have these soft beautiful sobs in my eyes after reading this.

Thank you and may the Good Lord bless you.

And may your soul keep shining.

Warm Regards.

I am not sure why I believe.

But, I do.

I never grew up the way I wanted to grow up. I never got everything I wanted. I often ignored God, and wanted to pursue my own plans. but this was only because I was still growing up and never knew much.

One day, I threw my aunt on the forehead with a pen and she bled. She then told me: "People that harm others go to hell. I am going to hell"... This really traumatised me and I really had a bad day that day, until I told my grandfather that I am going to hell because of what I did. When he asked me why, I told him "because she made me angry" he told me I will not go to hell if I pray, apologise and try never to do it again.

I, For the first time, at such a young  started understanding that Our selfish choices do not bring us life. In fact, they earn us a death sentence. And that God, understands that humankind battles with sin hence he sent his son to live among us and teach us a better way. To tell us that, he is for us and not against us. Heavenly father understands that sometimes we are frustrated with how things turn out. He also knows that left to ourselves, we would not always do the right thing. So, he stepped in and made a way for us to find forgiveness and begin again. Jesus was perfect in every way, even though mankind was not happy with God's way forward and the same people that Jesus taught, healed and fed, forced a Roman Governor to sentence Him to death on a cross.

I don't know if maybe I do not have enough faith but I have practised Jesus teachings yet, I have not seen any of what I have asked for come to life.

Yet, I still believe and I love Jesus.

You will never hear me complain. I close my door in the room and start venting to Christ.

This is because, I was told that no matter I do, God is in control and he might be redirecting my steps.

I am broken, yet I still believe.

I have seen people being blessed numerous times right infront of my eyes, but I know that envy is sin so I rejoice together with them.

I really don't know why I believe, but I believe.

18 hours ago, enoob57 said:

I will pray for this for you ..... Love, Steven

Thank you..

1 hour ago, AngelofAshes said:

We don't need to defend God and who He is, but we do need to be able to answer why we believe in Him.

"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 

1 Peter 3:15

 

Nonbelievers are not inclined to help anyone if they don't have to. They don't have the love and gentleness of God to give, though some of them may give from time to time. This is why their response to you is as such. Do not be discouraged by their comments, continue to live for God, and as others suggested ask for help from the church. The church are the hands and feet of Jesus, we are the one's who will do His will and what needs to be done, not nonbelievers.

Those who mock your faith, just tell them your God will provide and move onward. 

Thank you.

I moved to a new town because of my career and have no friends. Church is far and sometimes id ask one of my neighbours for a lift but sometimes I would and still have no transport to go.

On ‎2016‎/‎09‎/‎30 at 7:31 PM, kwikphilly said:

Blessings Leerah

   Yes Beloved,I do know.....I have been there many times ,especially with a family of Italian catholics who believe their good deeds earn them Salvation OR Mary will get them there,they thought I was an apostate when I  told them I was not catholic(many many years ago).....what happened was I did not talk much ,I lead & bore the fruits of the Spirit,the New Creature was obvious to them all........we must know when it is time to kick the dust from our feet & go where we are assigned & His Word Will be Received,we are not assigned to everyone....just plant the seeds & lead by example,work out your Salvation & it will become evident

   My cousin(now passed away) has said those very words to me when I was attacked physically by my ex-husband,I suffered broken bones & was in pretty bad shape,He said 'Where was your JESUS when you were attacked"....I said ,"Funny you should ask,He was the one Who picked me up off the floor,carried me to the bedroom to get my phone & call 911.....then He Filled me with forgiveness & great Peace & Joy".....My cousin responded " I guess you told me"

   You see ,dear one,when you are Filled with the Word of God,Holy Spirit gives you the right Words at the Right Time......His Power also gives you Patience,Compassion,Understanding & Wisdom concerning the unbelievers.......stop looking at them,what they say & do  & focus on Jesus that you can walk in Spirit & in Truth....renew your mind,let go & let God............ Trust in the Lord & He Will direct your path                   With love-in Christ,Kwik

For this reason and so many, I will pick up my cross and follow him.

On ‎2016‎/‎09‎/‎30 at 7:08 PM, existential mabel said:

hello and welcome Leerah

yes i understand you on that and all i can say is to keep pressing into God.

i did the very same thing in fact i spontaneously kept doing it arrh! usually i am so stubborn.. reckon God had a sense of humour!

yeah life is tough and relentlessly so at times. also life is at times very dull and that is tough also. as for me i find the dullness a challenge along with the tough times. the LORD does not reveal himself to us like that, "not the drums n whistle thing that the evangelical peeps seem  to experience." and if he does then sit up and take note as he will be expecting big things! he reveals himself in gentle ways and almost intangible. we cant click our fingers.

something that i have done for the longest time is to make my whole life a spiritual practice (way before i was a Christian) and that makes life a little more bearable and dare i say interesting at times. i see each experience as a God opportunity and having that attitude helps to lighten my heart somewhat. now i am not saying that i manage to live up to this ideal each and every day but i aspire to have this be my base line.

and yes i am not big on praying. for me i quite frequently need peace and that is a form of prayer i have been told. and living in the here and now (but keeping it Christ centered.) and not getting too precise and prescriptive about it. that for me is my prayer. keeping a fluidity allows me (hopefully!) to be more receptive and discerning.

this for me has helped my faith get more interesting and deeper i have found and yes i get my dark days. i am more of a free spirit and the  church's, thou and thou not's sends me running to the hills!
 

yeah excellent but do you express it in your local community including to those on the fringes who have no one. as you give out you will receive. dont hide your light under the bushel (is that it?!)

i would say not life is not easy and if it was we wouldn't need God! its through the dry times that things are in incubation maybe. all we can ever keep doing is keep on keeping on. now that is faith in action! we are all on a journey. none of us arrive at our destination until we go back to God (i reckon). and therefore it helps us not to believe the lie of the world saying that life has to be a certain way. we are all unique and yes it is good to reach out for prayer along the way as none of us is an island.

 

I tried. but I cant answer their difficult questions especially when they use me as a useless example.

Most of the time, people tend to shame and humiliate believers when believers are struggling.

They also tend to tell you to please leave them in peace and tell Christ to help you since you believe he exists. They refuse helping you when you ask for something.

If you are struggling with the basic things in life, people including family constantly ask you "where is your Christ now when you are struggling so much with basic needs"?
when you ask them for help in certain things.

Does the bible call believers to defend the faith or the word of God?

Just now, Nicole Williams said:

Awww.. I can only imagine what you must be going through right now. I will continue to pray for you, Leerah. Stay strong, and do take care of yourself, as well. Hugs

 

Thank you and God Bless you

48 minutes ago, Nicole Williams said:

 

 

I am sorry that you’re feeling that way, Leerah. I want to encourage you to keep on praying about this situation, even though it may feel like God isn’t listening.  Every Christian has been through times when it seems as though their prayers aren’t doing much good.  Be assured, however, that God hears your prayers and cares about you, as we read in the first part of I Peter 3:12.  Also, have you considered talking to a trusted Christian adult or your pastor about this? They may be in a position to help you in your spiritual journey in a more personal way. I just said a prayer for you. Blessings!

 

To be honest with you, I really am alone. My family is too judgemental to talk to about such things and they point out negative things about me all the time. Do you know how painful it is speak but never understood. Not to judge, but I am almost the only one depending on Christ in my family. I can never speak to them about him, I failed a couple of times. When I do, they will ask me "Where is your Christ now, when you are struggling like this?" Its almost never easy to reply back because defending the word is like defending a Lion. This made me drift away from so many people because I cannot take negative forces around me when broken inside.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus was offered food by his disciples and he said no.

He also did say that he has food that they do not know of. His food is to obey the will of the one who sent him and to finish the work he gave him to do. He told them that they have been saved, 4 more months and then the harvest.

So Jesus never went hungry? Jesus never ate?

Hi Everyone

I understand the purpose of baptism. I haven't been baptized yet have so much passion for Christ.

What happens to unbaptized believers?

3 hours ago, bonnieschamberger said:

http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/commonsensechristianity/2014/03/when-you-cant-take-it-anymore.html

http://www.icfn.tv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=256:in-between-seasons&catid=83:upcoming-shows&Itemid=167

https://924jeremiah.wordpress.com/2013/12/07/feeling-stalled-and-stuck/

Dont worry these arent super long...I try to read them at least once a week to stay ahead of my own dry times but there are some weeks I have to read them much more than that

I am truly humbled by this. It is the most beautiful thing I have read thus far since this year ever started. thank you so much.

May the god lord bless you

I have been spiritually struggling almost all my life. When things hurt the most I pretend to be the strongest when all I do is hurt when I am alone. I gave my life to Christ several times and became such a loving person, I witnessed change in my soul and no matter how life would be challenging, Christ would know how to keep me happy. Everyday my love for him grew and I prayed for understanding but unfortunately I became an adult and eventually had to be on my own (Independent). I physically witnessed how challenging life is and reality kicked in. I lost touch with my spiritual life because things just became harder and harder and harder and to be honest, they are not getting any better. Life is hard and walking in faith has become a drag for me, I literally cannot do much and I have stopped praying because I feel the Lord does not and is not willing to reveal  himself to me. But, I love God, I really do and I have always chosen the Christian life but I am losing it and its difficult walking in faith when you are struggling so much with the simple things life. I really need support and people that will help in my spiritual journey. I understand how dangerous feeling like this is but I need deliverance, please help me in prayer. Because I am NOTHING without GOD. Thank you.