SisterActs2

Sorry, LTank7, I forgot to add this: If we sin, God convicts us of this. We must make sure we go before Him when that conviction occurs, and ask His forgiveness and repent. Conviction is clear and sharp and concise. This is differentiated from condemnation, which is heavy and continuous and is from the enemy.

Hi LTank7 Welcome. Glad you asked. I agree with missmuffet and Butero. However, may I add to what Butero has talked about above (if someone repents and is sincerely sorry)? I want to emphasise what repentance means and how serious this is Acts 2:37-40, Acts 11:18, Mark 1:4, 2 Cor. 7:9-10 (Godly sorrow). Godly sorrow is not worldly sorrow (normal remorse for mistakes etc.). When we receive salvation, God brings us into a new life with Him and makes us a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). When a person becomes a Christian he/she must choose to follow God on His terms, not our own. The way God wants us to walk is the opposite of the way we conducted our lives in the world. We come to God as we are - salvation is not obtained by works, (Eph. 2:8,9) but by believing in Jesus, as stated above. However, we must have a deep desire for change in our lives and this comes about by having true repentance. There seems to be a serious lack of emphasis in the teaching of repentance these days, and some people have been allowed to think they can just continue on as before. This results in Jesus Our Saviour being relegated to some sort of "optional extra" in their lives. Of course this then results in people not understanding the most important event in history, firstly Jesus coming and then the crucifixion and resurrection. If there is lack of conviction of what Jesus did for mankind on the cross, people backslide, not knowing or understanding the enormity of what was effected there. There is a cost to following Jesus, and this is turning from our sin, recognising the great price Jesus paid to free us from it, and walking in the way the Lord has outlined throughout the Bible. This cannot be done in our own strength. We must ask God to give us an understanding of repentance, to make sure we are truly sorry for sinning against Him (not treating it lightly), and a great desire to "sin no more". He will effect it in us if we truly repent. It is only when we get what I call a "revelation of the cross" and the price He paid to make us free, that I believe we can truly feel Godly sorrow for our sin, resulting in a hatred for it, and a deep desire to stay away from it. See (1 John 2:1) My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. This is differentiated from practicing sin (1 John 3:9). Notice "if" above, as opposed to "practicing" here. If we have a sin that continues on into our Christian life, we must come before the Father, and in the name of Jesus, tell Him we repent from it and ask Him to help us to break the cycle of it in our lives. In 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us." I hope I have given you some understanding of how to stay away from sin. May God bless you and give you a hunger and thirst after His Righteousness.

Hello DesertSW I just read Marilyn's post and couldn't have put it better, but just had to add this little bit, as I am one of those people who want to wrap everyone up in cotton wool. Are you still thinking about this all the time? Don't let it consume you. Are you able to bring your mind back to focussing on the Lord Jesus Christ and trying to keep your mind there; meditating on scripture, talking to the Lord about this and, importantly, praying for others. Have you tried volunteering? I find volunteering takes our minds off our own problems and helps to bring a balance in our thought patterns. You have some help at church. The counsellors understand your situation, and are probably praying for you. I can't imagine how bad it must have been but you can't stay there. Look up, your Redeemer liveth, He will help you even if it takes a while. We will pray for healing.

Thank you Marilyn. I have run out of "thumbs ups" today, or I would have said "thanks".

Yes, Davida. He is. He is a tiny little thing, a cross between a Chihuahau and Maltese Terrior; the cutest thing out. We treat him like our baby (the real ones have grown up lol). He has to have 3.5 units morning and night. One of us has to be home at 8.30am and pm. We take it in turns as we both don't like doing it. Soooo expensive, when you add up the insulin, expensive diet, needles (we use them only once, as instructed) etc. Now, his thyroid..... hmmmm. Yesterday the cost was $277.50 as they took a blood test for thyroidism as well. He is 9 yo and I hope we don't have to do the most hated thing of all. We are going on a holiday in July/August this year (first in 4 years) and have got house-sitters who are ok with doing the injections.

Hi Sam So glad and rejoicing that you are rescued, saved from that downward spiral by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself! Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him. Some friends of mine moved from a small outlying district into the town. They bought a house in a certain street where there happened to be a state-owned house built for people in need next door to them. This house is, and has been occupied by for a number of years, an alcoholic who rummages through bins at the local supermarket for food because his welfare payment goes on flagons after his rent is taken out. They befriended him, and help him where they can. He comes to our food program now and then and has even been to church. We are all kind to him and pray for him, unfortunately thus far he has not been able to say no to his addiction. There are so many more like him. It is tragic.

Hi JohnD Two people in my church seemed to believe this. I was shocked to hear this from both of them, so, just to let them know of my opposition to this train of thought, or belief, I went to Gotquestions.com as a back up to my statement to them. I then wrote a letter to each of them, explaining my disagreement with them and why, and included the answer from Gq.com. One just took my letter away and I have not received any feedback. The other said "I will do the research and find out more"or words to that effect. Neither one has gotten back to me. This was several weeks ago. I told my husband that I thought this lie may have emanated originally from E.W. Kenyon's book "What happened between the cross and the throne". However, it appears it was from Kenneth Copeland. I feel the same way about him as you do. Can you please tell me the name of the book (I have never read any of his or Hagin's books, only know about them because of the faith and prosperity doctrine, and the "Toronto blessing" videos in the 80s/90s? Can't remember which years exactly). One thing I will say - if I ever hear this lie perpetrated in the church I attend again, I will be taking it to the eldership and asking them why they persist in this diabolical doctrine, and if the answer is not the right one, then it will result in my not wanting to attend there anymore.

Hi HisFirst We have had quite a few. I am such a sucker for animals. My post was meant as a joke to you, because the puppy was so cute and all I want to do is give them a cuddle. I daren't go near animal shelters or look at the homeless ones in newspapers etc. because I love them so much. People say to me "don't try and pat our cat (or dog) as they don't like strangers". Their animal just walks right up to me and "just knows" that I love them. One guy said to me "you're the cat whisperer" lol. However we are getting older and can no longer afford the vet bills etc. We have one dog left and one cat. Both have to have special diets and the dog has diabetes and yesterday had a blood test for thyroid problems. We can't bear to part with them and that means great sadness when we do. So we made a pact - no more pets. Hope you didn't take my post the wrong way!

Hi all We should be seeking the giver of the gifts, not the gifts themselves. If God wants to give a gift, that's fine. However, for me it's "Test the Spirits", and if I never get another gift on earth, that is fine. He is the best gift a person can ever get. We only need Him. Over the last little while, God has taught me to be discerning, but not to judge. That is up to Him. We need to expose error though. If a church persists in preaching something that is not in the Word, I am outa there!!

HisFirst - stop trying to tempt me to get another dog! Hubby and I have agreed .... no more dogs or cats! (or pets)

Hi HikerMom, again (welcome to Worthy, by the way) Having just read your reply to naominash, I realise this lady may, in fact, not have received Jesus as her saviour. Following our Lord through the waters of baptism is necessary, however we are saved at the moment we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We must come to Him as a little child, confess to Jesus that we believe in Him, that we are a sinner and need His forgiveness for our sin. Repentance is very necessary, as without repentance we will not realise how horrible and destructive our sin is, and how we are born into inherent sin. In fact, until we are confronted with the cross of Jesus Christ, we have no knowledge or understanding of what it took for Jesus to bring salvation to mankind. If, indeed, you find she has no testimony of actually being saved, then you need to bring to her attention scriptures about being born again (John 3) and all that living as a Christian really mean (recognising that we come to Jesus as we are, but that He will change us, if we repent and are willing in our hearts to follow Him, leaving behind our old lives as we are new creations in Him). All this may happen over a little time, but the most important thing right now is that she comes to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ in her life.

Hi Hiker Mom Most of us find confrontation really difficult. I certainly do. But Naominash is right. My advice is to pray and ask the Lord to give you an opportunity, an opening, to somehow lovingly speak to this lady. Ask God to give you words that will speak encouragement along with words of admonishment. Perhaps you could ask her to share her testimony with you (about her salvation) and if there is anything she would like you to pray for, for her. It might open the way. With regard to your insomnia, have you tried to give it to the Lord and leave it there? I am sure I am not alone in praying for healing for you for pain resulting from this difficult time. Praise the Lord and thank Him that things are better now.

Happy New Year, all Worthy people. It's 3am and I have woken up to realise that I somehow missed Eastern Star's post second up in this convo. Please forgive me, ES precious sister. For some reason this senior person had a senior moment. I am sure HisFirst will join me in praying you have a wonderful year, as well as everyone else, in celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ, the One Who made us free. We don't know what 2018 will bring in a lot of ways, but we do know in Whose hands our names are inscribed. Love to you all.

Good evening/morning Annette. I guess you guys still have a few hours to go. I have prayed a few prayers today but will definitely add yours to the list. Praise the Lord. It is very fitting.

Yes, I am not surprised HF. They often get celebs to do things like that. It's because they don't know us lol

Wow! That looks really good actually! Might head to my old stamping grounds next year to celebrate!

PS - Happy New Year!! lol

Hi His First and Eastern Star! I haven't gone out and celebrated New Year's Eve for years and years! But I am older and not interested.... to me changing from 2017 to 2018 is like one day I am this age.... then I have a birthday and I am the next age. Perhaps I am boring .... yes, I am boring. But to me, all that matters is "for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain"... I will go to bed soon and then I will wake up and it will be 2018! LOL!

Hello friends They are Lemmings, Marilyn lol. And welcome back Spock. Haven't seen you for a while, glad to see you now!

Hi Dilaralara We will be praying for you, sister. Put all your trust in the Lord. Ask Him to show you the way He would have you go. Please follow the advice the others here have shared with you. You are inscribed on the palms of His hands and all the hairs of your head are numbered by Him.

The man in my post relied on the Lord to provide the funds to get started..... because it was the Lord's vision and it is successful because they go by the Lord's rules. If we accept government funding there are always catches - you have to do what they want and abide by their rules. I worked with a Christian charity for people escaping domestic violence and homelessness. I earned $50/week and keep. I worked in the womens' refuge and later the boys' hostel (my room was away from the boys lol). After a while they started looking to the world for the finances and the whole thing collapsed. George Muller lived entirely by faith and God kept him going, and going, and going helping people. Sorry, don't want to derail the thread, just wanted to add some more info on Shalom House. Thanks guys.

A Christian man in my state who has only been saved a few years was told by the Lord to set up a drug rehab. We are believing the Lord for one in our town and have started a bank account, as we have to believe God for the money to set one up. God has to be the builder of the house. When they come to this place, they have to be desperate to change, or will not accept the strict rules that apply. They have to give up mobile phones, they have to work (even on street cleanups etc.) and are taught how to be men (husbands and fathers); responsibility (female one yet to be started). People entering the program most often become professing Christians. So some wonderful things are happening! While there is life there is hope.

Hi Dennis Nice to meet you. I believe that Satan has a many pronged way of attack to cause the breakdown of society, especially in families. I agree wholeheartedly with you. We have seen it for many years. Here in Australia our law enforcement officers have just stopped a supply of ICE worth over $1B from reaching our streets. I think it weighed over 1 tonne (in metric measurement). The fight against these drugs is monumental. I have thought for a while that the reason a lot of people will not be able to bow the knee to the Lord is that they will not be in their right mind; given over to delusion. As far as marijuana being a gateway is concerned - the year before I gave my life to Jesus I was searching for the truth, and smoked a lot of it. I was pondering whether or not to enhance my search with something a bit more potent ..... yes, it was a gateway, for sure. Then Jesus saved me and I went no further; never even smoked any more weed. My addiction to tobacco took a bit longer but He set me free from that as well.

Hi Worth 1979 I am having trouble calling you by your name, because Jesus believes you were worth dying for. So, Worth it is for me. These days we have huge amounts of stories from all over the world coming to us. We are shown horrific scenes from all over the place. We must choose not to watch some things, like some of us have said. What happens is those with a lot of empathy and compassion take it all to heart, only to be so burdened with it all that we carry the world around on our shoulders. Even though I understand how you feel, we must be careful not to allow too much of what is going on to completely overtake us, or we crack under the strain of it all. It is just too much for us to cope with, as human beings. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Please pray, then give it to Jesus. He is the only One qualified to deal with it all. My pastor says "pray, then leave it with Him. Don't carry the care of it." He knows from his own experience and talking with myself that we have to do that. Of course I am not saying that you shouldn't care. Of course we should all care. But never in history have we all had so much to cry over. We never used to hear all the details of all the things we watch and see and hear. I have stopped watching a lot of the news and bad movies. God bless you, Worth, for having a wonderful compassionate heart, brother.

Praying for you JPD.