shepherdsgrace

An important word here is "pattern". When we are in a pattern of giving into our sinful nature then it takes awhile for that pattern to break as we begin once again to seek the LORD. I have found that it takes several days of prayer times and Bible times etc before I begin to discern that sweet presence of the Lord if I fall back into my old fleshy ways of ignoring the LORD. So it is far better to have that prayer time, even it if is just out of duty for awhile, and have that time in the Bible on a continuing basis. Soon the breakthrough will come. Sin and flesh puts up a barrier between us and the presence of God. But it is soon broken down by the mercies of God as you continue to seek Him. And it is always easier to go after the things of the world. We can move out of apathy and slothfulness into the pleasures of the world. But it takes decisions and effort to move after the things of God. It helps to look down the road and see where our paths are taking us. It is a terrible thing to have a past sin hanging over you, tormenting your mind. It is simple torment. Once and for all lay the sin at the foot of the cross. One more time tell God that you did it but you got to leave it. Tell him you can no longer bear the memory or thoughts of it. Tell him you understand the seriousness and consequences but you just got to leave it under the blood of the Lamb. Once you have it all said, Once you have poured it all out, one more time, Then get up and leave it. From that point on give it no power over you. That decision is up to you. When the memory comes to mind simply do not respond to it. Let it die. If you do not feed the memory with your agonized responses then eventually it will no longer have the power to torment you. It is dependent upon your response. Your mind is your own. God bless you as you continue your walk in the LORD. More of us understand what you are saying than you could ever guess.

I surely hope that this work situation is not long term for your husband. May you be blessed with peace in your heart rather than simply thoughts that come to your mind concerning the situation. Peace is to rule in our hearts. Look at Phil. 4:4-8. The only thing to do is to take the entire situation to God and tell him ALL about it and allow Him to give you peace in mind and heart and to be your Shepherd during this time. It could be that God wants to intervene in the entire situation and not just your church attendance. May you be blessed as you seek the LORD in prayer concerning the circumstances of your life.

It is of course most important to realize that you are speaking to God and that He is hearing. However, we are to also consider our hearers. Paul teaches us that whatever we say aloud in church is to build up the church. So a public prayer should be directed to God in the Name of Jesus with all attention given to Our Heavenly Father but there needs to be an awareness of those listening that what is said is upbuilding to the church. Think of a conversation. In conversation only one is speaking but more are listening. And another requirement of public prayer is to have been praying in private. Private prayer gives us the anointing needed in public prayer. It is such a privilege to pray. And although I think most of us would like for our prayers to be "picture perfect", it is just not going to be that way. All that others want is that reality of the Spirit and to know that you are truly addressing God. Perfect sentence structure has nothing to do with it. Also praying scripture is very helpful and usually anointed by the Spirit and so uplifting. For instance you might pray, "Father thank you so much in the Name of Jesus for being our Shepherd and for never leaving us or forsaking us." As you pray the scripture particularly when you put it in the thanksgiving mode it is upbuilding to the group, upbuilding to yourself, and pleasing to God because it is His Word in the first place. And it is something you can truly pray in faith. And as we know we cannot please God without faith! Well, It is a joy to pray within a group setting. May you grow and go in confidence in the Lord and his Word as you pray with the others.

Such good news. The smiles on the men's faces as they came out are beautiful to behold!

I know the LORD is blessing you as you seek him........

God bless you even now. May you be comforted and uplifted. May encouragement flood your soul!

Leonard is so right. Having someone to talk to will help you greatly. But you can do the same thing with the LORD in prayer. The word tells us to pour our hearts out to the LORD. Just go and pour it all out before him. Sometimes I have days when I am silent before him. Something in me does not want to pour out what needs to be said. But once I start all is well. I would imagine the same is true for you. Just sit down. AND begin. Tell him everything you are feeling and experiencing and trust him with it all. And go by the blood of Jesus. Tell him you are coming into his presence not on your own works but by the blood of Jesus. You will see that He will welcome you into his loving presence.

We are to use our minds. That is why we have them. We are to use our talents and gifts. That is why we have them also. We are to make decisions according to the best of our knowldege. And so you have and do. HOWEVER, this is not enough. In doing all of this it must be done leaning absolutely upon God, understanding that our knowledge and talents and gifts are simply nothing without him. So we submit ourselves and our lives unto the LORD. We move out in life, making decisions etc trusting the Spirit of God to lead and guide us into the will of God for our lives. We feel and know our terrible finiteness and lean upon his total Person. And then we will experience the peace that we need and the love and will not have to fret if our future does work out so very differently than we hoped or thought it would. Yes. Absolutely. Lean upon the LORD with all your heart and being and in every area knowing He is your Shepherd.

On the interstate 85 in S.C there is bill board after bill board of advertising of what Paul said we should not even talk about. I mean it is a trial to drive that part of the road. And THEN, right in the middle of sin and lust alley, there is a bill board with GEKO the Green Lizzard, saying that he loves his job. My husband I always shout with laughter and relief. I mean folks....He's clean!

Hey Fraught! I read this post and thought "how smart you are to realize this! I appreciate reading it!

Hmmmm......well, that gives me new insight. If you can do it for a lot longer than 2 months (with 5 more people than I have), there's no reason why I shouldn't be understanding and patient. Maybe I should just let them stay, and not make waves. How can you develop your relationship with the Lord in this type of situation? How are you able to pray privately and to study the Word of God? Your relationship with the Lord is vital. Also If the man were working it would be different. Paul had some specific words to say to those who would not work to support the family. We often have to make waves or we will drown in those that others are making around us. Dear DNW, be of good courage and do what must be done. Your home is supposed to be a place full of the Holy Spirit. As far as the pot is concerned, that could easily be a trap door. Be wise dear Sister. You can say it all kindly and still mean it. Just say it. Many blessings

Thanks for sharing this site. I would never have found it on my own. I think that we just do not realize what glory goes to God through creation!

If you want me to send it to you I will , for now I deleted the post.. OK . . . I was still planning on ordering the book because I have several more illnesses. But if that is what you would prefer, should I PM you my home address? Hey Nebula, I have ordered the book because I have two friends and a brother struggling with RA and other auto immune diseases. If you do read and receive help from what you read I would really appreciate you letting me know so I can share with my loved ones. Thanks

I listened to the program. Then I went to the site and ordered three books. Praise God for your sharing.

Drought here in the area of the South where I live is unbelievably bad. Rivers are down. Creeks are dried up. Ground is cracking open. It is a grievous thing. May the LORD soon bestow his mercies upon us. I cannot begin to joke or laugh about the situation as I go by field after field that is nothing but dried ground. I have watched neighbor farmers reap half grown brown feed crops for their cattle that have no pasture. Farmers are selling their beef. Horse farms are losing hundreds of pasture acreage for the wealthy have no control over the weather either. Irrigation ponds are mud holes. Even the birds are beginning to leave the area. I keep thinking of God's mercy. I am thankful that it is eternal and bigger than all of man's sinful ways. May His grace abound towards us once more. It could be that the day is soon to come when people everywhere begin to learn again that vegetables do not grow in cans.

Through the years I have cast out demons and dealt with those oppressed and tormented by evil spirits. What I eventually came to realize is that most people have their lives wide open to torment. Until those doors of choice are closed then casting out demons can actually be a foolish thing since they will, according to Jesus himself, come back seven times worse if the person is not filled with Christ and living for Christ. Although I am glad to be a part of seeing demonic forces defeated I will no longer have anything to do with deliverance unless I know for a fact that the person involved is making true effort to live for Christ. As for the mentally ill it is wisdom to have the leadership of the Spirit of God with no doubt whatsoever. Also the person must have continual fellowship with the Lord and discernment of spirits, anointing and understanding. It is the Holy Spirit who does the work. Therefore a humble attitude of waiting on God is needful. So much is involved in the spiritual realm. Wisdom counts for a great deal. Zeal without anointing and wisdom and fellowship with God can lead to painful experiences that are not easily laid aside since people are involved. Souls are precious. It is wise to realize that each soul is worth the world to God. Therefore we need indeed to tread carefully. However, once assurance and leadership and anointing is given there is a great deal that can be conquered through the deliverance from evil spirits.

"all guilty of it".........another jumped to conclusion?

Absolutely. You are so right. A true love comes from the heart, regardless. And "I love you" stands alone.

Thoroughly enjoyed your comments. And I agree totally that the teacher must be very careful to stay within context. And he certainly should not surmise about a Bible character's feelings unless they are stated or at least implied. I find that often the teacher will put his own feelings into a situation if he does not stay within context. For instance there are many who would rather go to a desert road than a great city! There are enough scriptures within text to support truths without having to force issues.

The advice to practice is so important. And also important is to think ahead. Plan to respond right during the day. Speak to the Lord about it as your day begins. Tell Him how you are leaning upon the Holy Spirit and that it is your desire and plan to speak in a manner pleasing to Him. When you fall, apologize if feasible, ask for forgiveness, and start again. It is amazing how more and more you will respond in a way that makes you feel better about your responses and is a blessing to others.

Hello Oak, Your list is overwhelming to say the least. All I know is that God is greater. God is greater than it all. May you be divinely touched by the comforting healing presence of the LORD. Blessings

Wow I had been praying over this issue....because I'm shy in person and the Holy Spirit has really been pouring it on me to open my mouth and speak everytime He leads me to when around total strangers. The Lord just used you to answer my prayer! Well, that is just wonderful! Thanks for sharing.........and may you be blessed as you reach out to others.

Although you do not have to allow other people to pray over you if you do not desire it, there is little doubt that your great feelings of distaste are not just coming from you. Take hold of yourself and insist on doing what is right. Do not allow an evil spirit to insist on you following its control. Call upon the LORD yourself concerning this situation and make firm decisions. But still. Do not feel that you must allow just anyone to pray over you if you do not desire it. But make yourself stay in worship and listen to prayer etc. God will give you the break through. Tell the enemy to flee in the Name of Jesus but you stay.

The answer to leaving shyness behind is simply to think of others rather than yourself. Shyness causes us to dwell on how everything effects us or myself. But when we look out of ourselves with a little bit of kindness and caring it is an entirely different world. We find we can speak and smile and get a smile back sometimes.

Hi Oak, When you have such a reocurring dream as this, a veru helpful thing to do is when awake thank the LORD for taking up your cause. Thank him for absolutely defeating the enemy so that the enemy cannot come back. In other words let yourself and the demons in the spiritual realm know that you believe you are completely delivered by Christ. Soon the dreams of them returning will end. Praise God you are delivered! I agree with you!