lovethelord

Dr3032, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). I think Jesus means for us to give quietly in a spirit of humility. Do not dwell on the gift given or hav a spirit of self-congratulation. I think you already get that he doesn’t want us to make a big production in view of others or in our own hearts.

4everume, Everyone above posted some great replies, the only thing i can add is to pray and read the bible so you can build a "firm" foundation on where you stand in Christ. My advice is not to just read the bible but apply what you "learn" so that you can stand strong in Jesus and won't be swayed by current culture, trends, false religions, false prophets etc... Matthew 7:24-27 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

TRLover This was a terrible incident and I feel that you are still healing emotionally from it. Your comparing yourself to this other person and feeling that he has gained because of the job he obtained. But, the Lord tells us in his word that God blesses saved and unsaved in His discriminate wisdom. Continue to pray and speak to God to heal your mind, heart and to focus on his leading. God absolutely loves you and will work out this incident in a way that will actually bless you. (Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (from my own personal experience, this is so very true!) Matthew 5:45, "so that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust". Psalm 7:11, "God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day"

Hi TheWhiteDove (this is a lovely name by the way) I can understand your yearning for more children as I only have one child and way passed child bearing years, but oh I truly wished i was able to have more. Please continue to thank God for what He has provided you. He is our powerful Lord and he answers all prayers that are in His will. God is good and loves you and knows the pain you are feeling. Continue to focus on your precious children and embrace the wonderful family you have. Remember, God tells us not to worry about tomorrow as today has it's own set of problems. Tomorrow, can bring a change of heart to your husband. God is in Control. "Not that i speak in respect of want: for i have learned, in whatsoever state that i am, therewith to be content." Phillipians 4:11

Hi LeeGreenForest, The concept of the Trinity is hard for us humans to understand. Here is one verse that states that. 1 Timothy 3:16, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

4everume, As others pointed out, there is no set prayer that you say. Just speak to God in your heart repenting of your sin and asking for His forgiveness. Believe that he forgives you! Take the learning from this incident and do not gamble your eternal life on anything in this World. God is so wise and tells us not to make rash vows because they are sin.

Jesus is Lord of my life, because "God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11).

Existential Mabel, Now i get it, I thought the people who were making you feel like the bad guy, were not being sensitive to the amount of anxiety you were feeling. It sounds like you've been under some stress working with the contractors which could possibly be magnifying your anxiety. What do you think? In any case, when you make decisions about anything trust your "gut". Everyone has had someone let us down at one time or another or not follow through on agreed plans. Just remind yourself you kept your integrity in this instance and did you agreed upon part. Everytime you follow through on agreeing something with someone and you did it, you just build up strength of character.

Existential Mabel, For some reason the first thing that came to my mind was not lack of faith but to "growing your faith". I can tell you that God has grown my faith through personal trials. Each trial I have gone through has truly grown my faith and trust in the Lord each time. In fact, it was a big major trial that even brought me to the Lord in the first place. I reread your initial post again and this anxious states seems to be focused on events that have been happening in the world and secondly, I noticed that you stated that you are made out to be the bad guy. Do you think the opinions of those who are hearing about what you are going through are adding to your anxious state? Proverbs: 18:2 "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." Many times, it is always easier for someone to state his opinion and hurt others without taking the care to understanding what they are going through. God knows this, which is why His words are filled with so much wisdom as in Proverbs. Yesterday at our church, our Pastor spoke about the recent earthquake we had on July 4th & 5th. He said it was his own opinion but he couldn't help but feel that these earthquakes was God's own rumbling over our sinful culture and the way our world is moving. I wholeheartedly agree, since earthquakes come from God.

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11-12 The core of anxiety is “fear” over unknown or specific things which the Bible tells us shows a lack of faith in God. I’m a Christian who has at times had anxiety and from what I read the best thing to do aside from reading the Bible is to do some form of exercise to get my serotonin up like walking, exercising, riding a bike etc… I know that God is in control of everything, despite the dismaying and troublesome things going on in the World. However, I take comfort that whatever the worst of it is. God will take us with Him before we have to live through the worst of the “end” times whenever that is.

The bible tells us to look at the fruit of people. We are also told not to compromise with the world 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." Colossians 3:5 ESV "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." 1 John 2:15-16 ESV “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” Matthew 7:19-20, “So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

Hi Thewhitedove, The verse below is helpful because God tells us to use whatever gifts we were born with to benefit others. You may be holding yourself back because you are thinking too much about what other's are thinking and how you are coming across. I believe our courage and faith grows as we grow in our trust in God and pleasing Him rather than people around us. Just the fact that you recognize areas where you may not be strong is a great start. Now emphasize and shine in the parts of your personality that make up YOU! "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:10) Everyone has unique abilities, talents and gifts that makes us who we are. Use whatever gifts you have for others, as He has used the gifts from other people to benefit you. We are all a part of the body of Christ and bring something important to that body. Hoped this helped in some way.

Hi MlBrokish, I was reading that a study done in 2014 shows that dementia and Alzheimer's patients can be reached through music. They found that it helps them recall memories, emotions and have enhanced mental performance. Maybe you could try playing some hymns and then from there read from the bible. Plus, we know the power of prayer! My mother-in-law passed after having Dementia/Alzheimer's so i know the difficulties, heartache and frustration this disease can be to everyone involved in the family. “If you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved” (Ro. 10.9). You never know how God using your efforts can bring this person to salvation. He/she may not be able to express their salvation in the normal way but they could possibly accept this in their heart/mind quietly in one of their lucid moments and that is all God needs.

Hi George I saw you were the Editor of the Devotionals and i just wanted to thank you for them. The first one i read "Don't get distracted" and then "Beware of the Blade" were very impactful. I continued reading the rest of the week's devotionals and i just felt compelled to thank you for the material. Today, i just read "Speak a Word of Encouragement in Due Season". I've read many devotionals from Christian websites but there was something about the way these were written and the verses you selected that really made me think and dwell on the wisdom and encouragement given. Know that i will be reading them daily!

Hi PeachySunrise, I agree with Diane32, you sound like a very mature teen and your post was well written. I know it is common for believers to doubt their salvation at one time or another (having done so a few times myself. Even after being baptised in water (fully emersed), I would shower and ask God to wash me clean and accept me as His. I understand you grew up hearing about other's people's experience ie. feeling peaceful, but everyone is unique and has different feelings. Trust Jesus, not your feelings. My own conversion was gradual and one day i accepted the Lord and felt immediate better. Next, came the tough part, which was trusting in the leading of the Holy Spirit and not my own selfish needs, delving into God's Word and trying to be obedient and bear fruit. The fact that you are concerned about your salvation sounds like your saved to me. No one who didn't belong to Jesus would be concerned about it or care about the things of God. Live out your faith and put it into practice and I believe God will settle your mind and bring peace and confirmation to your heart.

Hi Ryan2203, After I came to Christ I use to tell myself if was okay not to go to church for years and would just read my bible, occasionally watch an Evangelist on TV. When my daughter was nine she asked me why we didn’t go to church. I didn’t have an answer for her besides a guilty conscious and the fact that I knew her dad hated churches (I didn’t go into this with her). Feeling my conscious being pricked I eventually found a local church after a major fight with my husband, that has become a major blessing to me and my daughter. Speaking from my own experience, I find surrounding myself with other believers, worshiping, singing, and hearing our Pastor teach really helps me offset the negative influence of the worldly people around us. I feel spiritually re-energized to face the week and I really do learn from our Pastor. Again, this is just my own experience. My husband still has his opinions regarding the church and congregation. Christ promised His disciples, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Romans 12:5, "we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."

Hi Chrisx2600, I'm glad you validated me on "Your husband has this responsibility to point you to Christ. That's his role, for him to encourage this as your most personal, intimate relationship." When speaking to my daughter last night, i told her i want to listen to her dad, but when he is trying to pull you us away from fellowship with the Church and other believers. He should be wanting the family to draw near to God not away from Him. I know this is not coming from the Spirit of God. In the end, it's not about the music, how you dress etc... It's about your heart and making a point to be with others. Thank you for posting the other verses. It is rather ironic because he is known as a talker. (he can talk talk talk and this is when he is not even angry). Sometimes, i think to myself it sounds like vomit gushing forth because he repeats alot of the same things and says things that don't contain a lot of value). Thats why i try to remind him to tame the tongue. I'm pretty much the opposite. I don't talk much and am more introverted. Thirdly, the arrogance and contempt come through to people he interacts with (cashiers, people at church, waiters etc).

I fell asleep last night praying for my husband and woke up this morning knowing what i already know "I can't change him. I can't react to his "words"...I will continue to trust God for controlling my own reactions and be accountable". His rages are better than they were years ago, at least once every 2-3 months or so. I know that God has to be working through him, because when i think back he would have never ever gone back to church, but he went for my sake when i cam back home. I know that God is in control. Help me pray to change his heart in his mistaken beliefs: 1) Jesus is not God, 2) the bible are stories written by man and not God 3) the message of Grace is something that Christians came up with to excuse their sins etc..

Hi, I have not written on a forum for over 17 years, but yesterday’s incident prompted me to post this on a Christian website. I’ve been married for 26 years to an emotional abusive man. We were both unbelievers at the time, but living with him and the trials I experienced brought me to the Lord 15 years ago. A counselor I spoke to many years ago identified what I was going through and since then I’ve become educated on the subject. When stress hits or lack of sleep, he finds an excuse to rage at me for something I did. Yesterday, it was Father’s Day (he was upset that I chose to go to church in the morning and not stay home in bed with him while he slept). As soon as I got home, I heard the name calling, ranting, things said about my pastor, church and how the church destroys families etc… He feels this way, because his parents divorced while heavily involved in the church and fanatical about it. He has not been back to a church since he was 13 years old. In July 2015, I left our home and proceeded with divorce proceedings. We had gotten in an argument because I wanted to start attending church and he said it was either the church or him. So I chose the church. I stayed at my parent’s house for 5 months. He did everything in his power to win me back, flowers, calls, begging etc… My family and daughter begged me not to go back, but I did go back home and dropped the divorce finalization (it would have been final in one month). To make a long story short, I wish I never came back. My feelings for him have changed to one of distance and distrust. FYI, I don’t socialize with anyone from our church, we go and attend services and then leave. But he says I put the church before him and I should go to him for spiritual enrichment since he has the priesthood. I’ve told him, how can you claim to have the priesthood when you haven’t been to a church since you were 13 years old? You don’t read or own a bible and don’t even want to go to church and don’t believe that Jesus is Lord like I do? He says he is the spiritual leader in the house and I should listen to him. I said if you were the spiritual leader, how come I’m the one who initiated taking my daughter to church and bible class. I read the bible every day for 1-2 hours and I love the word. I love the peace and spiritual renewment I get every week. Please give me your feedback. I know the bible says, that the husband is the leader of the wife. Thank you for any advice.