lovethelord

Renee, This Pastor like all of us will be accountable to God. The Bible tells us that the more one knows, the greater his or her responsibility. A Pastor should not teach God’s Word “Truth” while living a “Lie”. He choose his life of ministry (I don’t think it was forced on him). He can’t divorce his work from his life, since he is to model Christ for his congregation. I know the verse below doesn’t apply specifically to pastors, but it made me recall that only Jesus will be able to judge the rightness of someone’s heart. Matthew 7:21-22, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Hi Addison, I'd rather have a Christian song stuck in my head than a negative or unproductive thought. The premise of a Christian song is that it is worshipping and praising our Lord! God wants our love, prayers and praise but He doesn't want it to become a legalistic thing. Lets say your thinking of a loved one, it shouldn't be a struggle to be thinking of that person, wondering what their doing, if they are okay etc... The same with God. As your love deepens for our Lord (from the reading of His Word) it becomes more naturally to come to Him for everything. Even speaking to Him throughout the day on things you are doing and asking for guidance, decisions, actions. Prayer is talking to our Lord.

Hi Ladyalaska, I reread your post carefully and I think your concern is valid because you should feel just as close to our Lord whether your husband is around or not. I think you realize that your personal relationship with Jesus should be that way as well. The way to love someone is to draw near to Him. Our Lord tells us the more we know him through His Word the more we develop a relationship of love. Please continue to pray and read his Word. Mark 12:30, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

ladyalaska, Just the fact that you feel closer to the Lord with your husband home sounds wonderful to me. I wish I had such a marriage. Especially if you are both on the same walk with Christ. Every marriage is unique and has it's issues, but if you are happy and your both in love with each other, I think it sounds like a blessing.

Well Peeday, It seems despite the advice given you are unwilling to break the trust of this "close friend". Your friend is even counting on you to keep silent if he proceeds with the crime. At this point, you have to carefully ponder what God says in His Word about keeping company with others who do criminal activity. You get tainted with them. I know this is not a easy decision to make, but even if I had such a friend who gave me the amount of trust you have for each other, I could not keep silent if the crime as you say is a serious one was committed. I don't know if you are a believer but God in His Word tells us not to please man but to please Him. I would pray for guidance and strength in doing the right thing.

Hi Peeday, Since you state this is a serious crime, it would have to be reported and/or prevented. Any crime small or large is crime. Just as there is no such thing as a small lie or big lie. I take it your friend trusted you enough to tell you about this. Let this friend no in uncertain terms that you will report him/her if they go forward with it and because you care about this person you can not let them move forward with hurting themselves or another by their action.

Hi Melinda12, My explanation is short, but this is what I think. In Genesis 4:7 - God was graciously and gently confronting Cain while anger was still simmering in his heart, and exhorted him to master it, to bring it completely under his control. The lesson is that Cain didn't listen to God and let evil take over and he murdered his brother. I believe that this is an great example of unmanaged anger and how destructive it turned out to be.

Jayne, I had just memorized this verse last month. It helped me and it helped my mother through her trial. I love the Old Testament and feel there are many great gems in it, I love Proverbs and the Book of Esther.

Kristin, What joy must be singing in your heart. Being a mother myself, I can only imagine your love you must feel. What a blessing to have a son who at 21 years old loves our Lord so much. You and God both did something right!

Melinda12, You know yesterday at church our Pastor told the congregation that the church is a hospital for sinners. He said that people who are there are all sinners ie: hypocrites, drug addicts adulterers, people filled with pride etc... but you will also find people there who are trying to live their lives according to the teachings of Jesus. I just want to say, people like the ones you are describing can give the church a bad reputation and put off others who want to have genuine fellowship. When my husband didn't want to go to church because he claimed they are all hypocrites. I just told him that when God judges you, he is not going to be asking about the other person you sat next to at church but about yourself.

lftc, I know that drug use has been around for a very long time and I believe is even becoming epidemic. People are looking for ways to escape out of their misery, stress, depression and unhappiness. Teens are being targeted with vaping and their flavors to try and connect with them. I have a young teen in middle school and kids talk and hear about it all the time. They are exposed by social media, internet and tv. When my daughter and I pray at night, we pray she and her friends continue to stay on the narrow path and don't follow the crowd.

ReneeIW, I'm not surprised to hear this is a true story. My personal opinion is that this man knowing the Word of God should publicaly confess his sin to his congregation, his Elders and family and step down. This man is a Pastor in name only as his actions show that he is not Loving our Lord. Threatening the young girl is another evil action. He needs to sincerely repent and ask those involved for forgiveness. I know God will forgive him but he will have to own up to the consequences of his actions. A pastor is supposed to possess the character that goes well above anything that would require reproach from his church, family and the public. He should live in a way that would not bring shame to himself, family or his church. I believe the Bible says leaders should be above reproach is because his actions hurt the witness for the our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hi Patrick, How would you think you are cursed to be single for all your life? Remember, God knows the whole story we don't. You don't know if you'll meet someone tomorrow like JohnD shared. I happen to be married but there have been many many times that I wished I lived a single life. God tells us to be happy in whatever state we are (so I should be taking my own advice here as well). When I say to Trust God I'm really mean it, because He is the one who supplies our needs and knows what is best for us.

Hi Mike, That was me before I came to Jesus. It was easier to just act like nothing happened and push down my guilt over the person(s) I had hurt. Now having been a believer for many years and having this done back to me. I have to just keep asking God to help me move on from the hurt and extend forgiveness to that person. Without a doubt it is hard, however I make a point to read passages in the bible that speak to me about forgiving others and I learn why God wants us to forgive others and I found that it really is beneficial for the person who extends the forgiveness. Eventually, God will provide the healing from the hurt in his own timing.

Missmuffet, I would definitely change my sinful empty lifestyle. It was all about me and having fun and enjoying the parties.

Hi Melinda First I want to say to I do not believe your are a fool for trusting others and letting your guard down. To me, it sounds like you are someone with an open, soft and loving heart because you do step out and have taken chances to trust others despite your previous experiences. The Spirit inside of you is "Love" and He is what is keeping you from having a hardened heart. God is love and if we have him living inside of us I don't think he wants us to live in this world not trusting anyone. I know we have to be safe and protect ourselves to an extent but with God in our lives we are truly protected. He will bring the necessary healing and comfort so we can get right back up again. In a lot of ways I also find my happiness in reading God's word which is why I spend so much time in it. We know that God loves us more than anyone living family included could love us. Because I know our Lord loves us I believe there are people who can be trusted. For myself out of everyone I know there are only two people I completely trust in my life which is my mother and daughter.

bcbsr, I love proverbs. It's a great lesson for anyone who only thinks of providing for their earthly life with no thoughts of making provisions for their eternal home.

Nadjeschda, I don't see the need to classify atheists. Instead of thinking which Atheists should be ignored, the goal should be to treat everyone who is not a believer with gentleness and respect. We all know that you cannot argue someone to faith, however we can plant a seed and see where that goes. Jesus says there are those who plant and those who harvest. Any little bit that you do for God's kingdom is recognized by our Lord Jesus. The bible gives examples on when to shake the dust off our feet and move on and how to handle those who ridicule the gospel and have no need to hear the message. However, if you happen to speak to someone who is completely uninterested and even rude, we don't know that that person will remain in that same attitude at a later time. God through trials or life can bring about a complete change of attitude for that same person and wake them up to wanting to know about the gospel message and accept God's grace.

Melinda12, I don't happen to watch TV but my husband does and the one show I absolutely can't stand is Ancient Aliens. No matter what i'm doing in the house I can hear the constant conspiracies being discussed on the show. Most of all think it gives people (who aren't believers) wrong information by taking true biblical accounts and putting an alien twist to it.

Joebloggs, I think someone may have posted a similar question in the past. I believe God has a sense of humor, I've seen some funny looking animals, insects and other unusual creatures posted on the internet.

Hi Jo Ash, I believe that God mostly speaks to people today through His Word the Bible. However, many years ago (before I even read His Word or thought about God) I had two dreams that were so vivid, detailed and made such an impact on me that I knew they were of God. I believe it was a “wake up” call literally to change the direction of my life. You ask who do you go to get clarification on dreams? I say to go directly to God and ask Him in prayer if you have any dreams that you’d like to further understand. Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Hi Missmuffet, I think it is possible to save for the unexpected, future, education and emergencies and still give generously to those who are in need. The important thing is what’s in our heart and how we spend our wealth. God wants us to give generously and to be happy givers. He does not want us to worship our wealth. I think everyone is entitled to a vacation and even buying a car if needed. Pastor’s work hard like everyone else, the difference is whose money are they using to be able to do these things. I think the churches have check/balances to account for what they spend on what. Here are some verses below. There are quite a few in the bible in regards to money: Proverbs 6:6-8, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustdestroy and where thieves break in and steal,but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Tigger 56, Great point. Jesus was not politically correct when He overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple. Jesus' stand for truth and righteousness had to come before His concern about offending someone. I look to him for courage in declaring my faith in an increasingly scary hostile world. 1 Peter 2:7-8, “So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” Matthew 11:6, “And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Hi Noel, I like your refreshing candor and honesty in your posts. I have a preteen daughter and I understand where you are coming from. I would not want her sharing personal information to strangers and to use discernment on what is posted. From reading this post, I can see you have loving father, Uncle(s) and guardians watching you and what a blessing to be so loved and cared for. All I can say is to listen to the guidance of the living Spirit and only post what you feel comfortable doing.

LadyKay, What a blessing to feel God’s presence so acutely and yes I believe it was His Spirit you felt. The last time I felt this extraordinary peaceful and joyful feeling come over me was at a church service. That morning I just wanted to sit there basking in the Lord’s light. I also remember thinking that whatever I was feeling would pale in comparison to how it will be to actually be in the Lord’s presence for eternity. Psalms 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”