wordsower

It doesn't mean that you are obligating God to do anything, just that you are quoting His promises to Him, in this case, seeking wisdom which He promises to give if we just ask with faith. Of course, all is in His time, but the promises is if you need wisdom, ASK HIM for it and He will give it to you. Until you get an answer from Him, don't go off on your own understanding. I have had my mind opened to some things I was struggling with by "claiming" or quoting this verse to God, so I know it is indeed a promise that He stands by.

Blessings to you. I am concerned that people are so sceptical that God actually DOES things. Anything that is new or different is usually controversial. How can God reveal anything to us if we think we already know it all? He said in the latter days He would pour His spirit out on all flesh and we would have dreams and prophecy and who's gonna listen?? I pray for discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit and trust that He wont let me be misguided.

Thunder, I am still putting together some thoughts, may take a couple of days, and some prayer. I don't want to post my own thoughts if I don't feel they are inspired, I did that on another forum and they sort of told me I'm nuts, seems they want the plain and simple gospel and nothing more. Nothing wrong with that, I'm sure, but don't you think God gave us complexity in the scripures so that we would dig a little deeper and have some things revealed to us? They even said one could get mystical with symbols and such. Hmmmmm. Will get back with my musings later!

A matter of will? Who's will? Evidently there are a lot of priests in the Catholic church with no willpower. I personally don't think it was in God's plan for people to be without a mate. After all, He created Adam and Eve first thing. There may be a few exceptions, but I would believe very few. I don't see how the Catholic church can be an example to the family unit. Doesn't it make sense that if a pastor has a loving family and his congregation learns from his example it would edify the church? I don't see the glory in celibacy, it seems like "works" to me, trying to be holier or purer than the next guy in order to feel righteous. Seems like a very lonely life to me too. I hope you pray about it a lot.

You're right, it is God's timing, but you have to claim the promise with no doubting that God will lead you in the right direction. My thought would be that if God wanted you to be a priest, you would have no desire to have a wife and a family. Remember, Paul said that type of single lifestyle was for very few, for him it was good, but for many it was not. I think if God intends a person to be single forever, they would really just have no interest in marriage, because He would have made them that way. Have you ever prayed for a wife? That is also a very important thing to do. I'm believing and expecting a revelation for you either way.

I accept your gift of prophesy and I really liked your post "My Deliver is Coming", I saved it in my archives and am studying it and a lot of things are being revealed to me, but it will take a lot of time to post, so I will start a thread when I have time. Keep lookin' up! :thumb:

James 1:5-8: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him But let him ask in faith, without doubting for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. he is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways. Now you know what it says, now you pray, "God, I am asking you for wisdom in what Your plan is for my life and claiming the promise of James 1:5 that you will give me that wisdom, liberally, without reproach as I have faith in your Word and believe that You will reveal Your perfect will to me. I pray this prayer with faith in Jesus' name" Then, you wait, cause your answer's coming!

Do me a favor, claim James 1:5-8 and I will continue praying for a DIRECT, obvious, answer to what God wants for your life and I know without a doubt that you will receive an answer. Also, if you feel led, take communion when you claim James 1:5-8, I believe it will bring a definate revelation and then be confirmed by at least two witnesses. I am speaking it in faith, in Jesus' name, hallelujia, thank you Jesus.

Don't know about the Mormons and JW's, but the SDA's think they have THE God inspired prophet and that their religion is infallible and it was created by God. God told me about three years ago that I should be in the church that I am in and I doubted it, I was still "hooked" and deceived by the SDA teachings though I didn't actively go to church anywhere. I don't think my Baptist church is the "true church" but I believe that God truly wants me there to fulfill part of His plan in my life. If I were to move, I would pray that God send me to the church of His choice, regardless of the denomination. I think the Lord deals with everyone who is willing to be dealt with. I see Him dealing in the SDA church and many are leaving and even pastors who are 3rd and 4th generation SDA's. I also see Him dealing with the Catholic faith in it's troubles currently. I haven't seen a Spirit of repentance in many of those accused priests, only a concern for their well being. That is of course, not referring to all of them, I did see one who truly seemed to be sorry an publicly state that. I commend him and hope that others follow. I do not know that God doesn't want you there, but I do know that he doesn't want me there. I also know that if you continue to seek His face and ask Him for guidance, He will show you what He truly wants for your life. When I was studying, I was praying for God to show me the right "proof texts" to give my neighbors so that they would see the error of their ways. After a lot of prayer and study, everything I read was pointing me away from everything I had ever been taught and the Holy SPirit put it in my heart to pray for God's will. I prayed "God, everything I read is turning me away from my convictions, if this is truly as it appears, make it clear to me. I want to do your will and not my own, I want your understanding." He immediately led me scripture after scripture confirming to me that I was saved by grace, and nothing else, no religion, no Sabbath, nothing but Jesus. I was so relieved and happy and felt the awesome power of the Holy Spirit on my life, like nothing I can describe! I am absolutely positive, without a shadow of a doubt that I am saved, and I never had that before. He also sent several people into my life to confirm this to me-as the scripture says, on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Remember, God can not reveal anything to a closed mind. I have to remind myself that when I think I have it all figured out, I don't know anything. I have no doubt that you can be saved in the Catholic church, even the JW and SDA's and whoever can be saved, but I have no doubt either, that you can surely leave a denomination and still be saved. Sorry so winded! I am adding you to my prayer list with the prayer that the Holy Spirit reveal to you God's will for your life and that it be confirmed to you by at least 2 witnesses. Watch out!

I can identify. I was raised Seventh-day Adventist. I was taught if you didn't ask forgiveness of every sin you might not go to heaven, if you died without confessing every sin, you might not go to heaven, if "probation" closed before you had a chance to confess all your sins, you'd go to hell. Probation was unbiblical false doctrine....nevermind, I was told God was up there now judging everyone's life and their sins and deeds and when He got done, you were either in the good book or the book of death. Most importantly, I was taught that it was the only TRUE CHURCH, if I left, I would surely go to hell. Those who didn't know any better might be OK, but, I, knowing I was the remnant, could never leave. The Mormons and JW's think they are the "true church" too. Most evangelical christians, such as myself, believe that the body of believers who stand for Christ are the church. Well, I studied myself out, trying to turn my neighbors into good little SDA's. I praise God for the promise of James 1:5. I claimed it and He surely came through. He showed me what He wanted me to see, because I asked. We could save a lot of time and worry if we would just ASK Him what He wants us to do. I realize now, that I had no relationship with Jesus when I was in that "true" religion (I'm not saying that applies to you at all) I didn't know God, I went to church one day a week and didn't give it a thought for the next six days. I was a lousy witness, I had no light. Munari, God is no respector of persons,.... or religions. We are all equal, slave, free, male female...just His children. There is not one man-made religion that is not flawed. He sent His Son so that you don't have to go through a Priest anymore for your sins or for prayer, you have direct access to the throne! I can share with you all day and you will doubt what I say, so my best advise is to ask God. He will tell you what He needs for you to know. Blessings and prayers

Munari, What do you believe a person would have to do to lose their salvation? :???:

Yeah, otherwise you will be dealt with severly too, punished, but not lost---like Israel. His "severity" hasn't severed them eternally, they can't be snatched from Him because they are His. You and I are His and have the same promise!

Munari, I did read the whole thing. The jews were chosen not saved. They will be saved, however, when God takes away their sin (verse 27) The chapter explains that God hardened their hearts for the Gentiles sake, so that we could be saved too. God has not spared them from His severity, (see verse 22) they have had much trouble and continue to endure great troubles because of their unbelief, the holocaust is an example of this. However, He has not condemned them to hell!! See verse 1-"I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not!" verse 22- therefore consider the goodness and severity of God, on those who fell (Jews) severity, but toward you (Gentiles) goodness.

Romans 11:20 ..because of unbelief they were broken off... John 3:18 He who believes in Him is NOT condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed...

Munari, I consider Christ to be at the center of my life, not because I'm so "good", I am definately not, but trying everyday. He is the center because He is the most important thing in my life, above anything or everything I can think of. If everything came tumbling down around me, He would be there. That's my definition of Christ at the center. :inlove:

Munari, Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think she would take it well though. I don't think she is at a place where she wants to learn anything. I do try to share Jesus with her and peak her interest a little. It appears she is like many "christians" just "doing" what she's been taught to do and not really for her own growth, if that makes sense. So many are "religious" and do not have Jesus at the center of their lives.

Munari, I don't know you're heart and I'm not judging, but from what I know of you, you're indeed saved and just carrying around some extra worrisome baggage as I stated before.

What about Romans 5??

Hey Munari, Read Romans 5 It is too long to type out. It shows the great contrast between righteousness and condemnation. Before the cross what you said would be true, but with grace we who are saved are no longer condemned for our sin. IT has been paid for already. Whether it's big sin or little sin or lots of sin or sin right before you die, it's paid for if you believe in Christ. So, if it's paid for, God has forgotten it, thrown it into the depth of the sea never to be remembered. That 's it! How can we pay for it in pergatory? To do so would be to redo what is already done for us. That puts the burden of sin back on us, which is the reason Jesus had to die, to be the burden for us. We are seen as the righteousness of God, not because we are so "good and righteous" because the debt has been paid and we are CLEAN! Glory!!

Where do you get that from the scripture? I'm not being sarcastic, really, I understand that we are currently being "put thorugh the fire" as needed through our troubles and trials on this earth God is perfecting our character to become more Christ-like. Then when He comes we will be changed in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye. Pergatory seems like a very strange doctrine to me from the Father that I know loves me unconditionally.

WOW!! Aren't we so priveledged to live in such an exciting time?

Munari, What about John 10:27,28? My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me. And I give them ETERNAL life, and they shall NEVER perish; neither shall ANYONE snatch them out of my hand. It doesn't say unless they screw up. Look at all the prophets that sinned and were still His. Look at David, who committed adultery and murder and after a year repented and ask God to restore the JOY of his salvation, not his salvation. He was miserable in sin because he was saved. How about Jonah who left the presence of the Lord, deliberately disobeying Him. God put Him in the belly of a whale to get through to him! He got through tho, just like He does with us when we sin. You don't have to believe every doctrine of your church just because that's what they say. That's what the working out of your OWN salvation is all about. I go to a Baptist church and the pastor believes that Sunday is holy. I don't, I believe that every day is the same. Doesn't mean he's wrong and I'm right, I'm just claiming the 14th (of Romans) One man esteems one day above another, another esteems everyday alike, let each be fully convinced in his own mind. You have to decide what you believe by what the Spirit shows you and pray about it and you'll know what's right. Either way, there's no effect on your salvation if you don't understand it as OSAS, just some extra worrisome baggage you have to carry around. I'll still see ya there!!!!

Peter did not lose his salvation, he fell into the weakness of his flesh, he repented, that's the process, the Holy Spirit prompts you to repentance--you're still saved. That's His job-(the HS) to keep you conscious of your sin. Once you're sealed with the Spirit, it's a done deal. He will never leave you, though you make your bed in the depths of hell! It's really too simple. Your righteousness is like filthy rags to God, you can try to be good all day long and it means NOTHING to your salvation. When Jesus works good deeds through you, that is evidence of the faith that you have in His work being completed. If you have committed your life to Christ and He has promised to save you, the inheretance of God is your promise. If you could lose it by something you do, He would be breaking His promise and He would never do that. He will complete the good work He started in you! Hallelujia!

I was a "christian" in the religious sense for most of my life, I went to church, did the religious deeds, but I did not know that I was saved.

Munari, He loves us enough to accept us with our sin---but, too much to leave us that way. The more we become like Christ, the less we like sin. It's a process of drawing closer to Him, that He works in us. It's all evidence of the faith that we have (that by the way, He puts in us) I see your point but I think a lot of christians are disheartened in trying to do "good" we can't do it! God promises to give us the mind of Christ. With that we will hate sin. It is a process and one we won't complete until He comes.