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“How do you become a Christian (in words/terms understandable to an unbeliever)?” To become a Christian, one should believe in the highest, ultimate power and name called God. One’s belief of God should be according to the Holy Bible. God should be perceived as purely good, perfect and without fault. One’s conscience, feeling or realization should be that one has done wrong, evil really, in life. God as purely good hates not the person, but that evil, and must judge it and punish it as righteous justice. One must believe they are guilty before good God, yet that our same loving God has provided the only solution. This being Jesus Christ, God walking the Earth as a man. As payment for the evil committed in one’s life, God’s wrath crucified and killed Jesus, so that we may live. Eternally alive now, one need not fear the default fate of suffering unimaginable torture forever when one dies. Instead, one looks forward to heaven with Jesus and all who believe God’s Holy Bible. “How did you become a Christian (in words/terms understandable to an unbeliever)?” Acts 11:26 Authorized (King James) Version 26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Blessings Everyone.... In speaking with many who come from different denominations there are many questions New Believers or "Seekers" have and many of us suggest they begin in the Book of John, commonly referred to as the Love Letter.....I came across a pretty thorough and nicely written commentary that I thought might be a nice way to kick off a Bible Study of the Book of John.... Typically I'm happy to initiate and facilitate a Study but I always try to Encourage others to join in that our Babes may hear the witness of 2,3 and more - that they may Receive what we have in Christ Jesus- it begins with that Measure of Faith to the Glory of God Almighty It's a long read but imo,well done ...let us begin with John Chapter 1-Enjoy and be Bountifully Blessed! https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-1/ With love in Christ, Kwik

Shabbat shalom, brothers and sisters. This may come as a shock to some, but it really shouldn't take anyone by surprise or cause any consternation. The power doesn't exist in our faith! The power is in the One in Whom we PLACE our faith! That's a VERY important distinction! Faith is often misunderstood because of the difference between how the Greek text used the word "pistis" and how we use the words "faith" and "belief" in English today. There's a notable difference, but the bottom line is that the power of our faith is GOD'S power. It's to be found in the God of the Bible, YHWH, in Whom we place our faith and in Whom we trust! ALL wothwhile and lasting power is to be found in Him, and we do NOT exercise that power at all when we SAY we "exercise faith!" Our God is an AWESOME GOD! Just look at all the things He has made from the tiniest neutrino, quark, or "string" to the vastness of space with the myriads of galaxies, quasars, and nebulae, not to mention the HUGE volumes of empty space! In between these extremes, we see the vast complexity of what we can know as living things, from the tiniest viruses, to the huge whales, from the smallest plankton to the huge redwoods of the forest! When one studies biology and biochemistry and organic chemistry, one will come away with a DEEP appreciation for the intricate ways that ALL of God's creations work together flawlessly to form this vast biosphere in which we live. The fascinating way that the information that describes each species in stored in the DeoxyriboNucleic Acid (DNA) of that species, and how the body of that creature uses this coded information to develop organs, tissues, and fluids is truly amazing! The sheer complexity of any one species and then to compound that with the symbiosis of other life forms is just BEYOND normal comprehension! BRAG ON HIM! (That's what "praise" is.) Make Him STAND OUT from anyone or anything else! (That's what "glorify" is.) BOW THE KNEE before Him! (That's what "worship" is.) And, after all you've done to make Him as AWESOME as you can (and STILL He's greater), both in your eyes and the eyes of anyone to whom you're talking, then realize that you can come to Him and call Him "Daddy!" (That's what "Abba" means.) If that doesn't make your head swim, then you didn't do it right! Try again! Let's say you ask Him for something - anything. Do you really doubt that He could do it for you or give it to you, if He wanted to? The MAKER OF THE UNIVERSE couldn't do your silly little request? Nope. THAT'S not it. What you REALLY doubt is whether such an AWESOME AND RIGHTEOUS God would do it for the likes of YOU! And, you'd be RIGHT to doubt, IF ... YHWH was an exacting God. Psalm 130:3-6 (KJV) 3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. David said and Paul quoted, Romans 4:1-25 (KJV) 1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (Psalm 32:1) 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Psalm 32:2) 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. And, Yeshua` (Jesus) said, Matthew 7:7-11 (KJV) 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? And, Luke 12:22-32 (KJV) 22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Dear All, I've been raised as a Christian & I do not have a problem what is being said in the Bible & as God gave me a wonderful brain I need to verify everything including what is really going on & the TRUTH, but why does God not make Himself more obvious, is it because it will take our free will away, if that is the case small babies that is killed don't have a choice either and they get a "free ride to heaven". I mean if I'm gonna follow the Bible strictly and have a living relationship with God I must be 99.99% sure I'm not just believing it because I was raised with it, this is very serious stuff? The same applies if I'm suppose to be an disciple for Him, if I'm not sure myself how can I possibly convince an atheist or other non believer? Also what confuse me as if you believe in God and pray for Him, why do we need physicians & other specialist to help us? I know God work via people as well, but by consistently praying He should be able to cure any health issue without doing it yourself, how do one balance it? If a miracle does happen (obviously depends what qualifies for one) people can say yes it was just just good scientific knowledge & no evidence of supernatural was involved. One cannot just accept, in the Bible is written that you have to vigorously test everything & everyone.

I made a video about christian celebrities who gave their testimonies. Hope it inspires some people and give them the courage to keep in faith. You can see it here: Now I wanna make a new video and it's not that easy to find some FEMALE celebrities giving their testimonies and talk about their faith. If somebody know some christian female celebrities and maybe has a link to their testimonies/christian speeches/or something like this I'd be VERY thankfull! Wish you all a wonderful day and GOD bless you!

If you are not ready, then I hope that you are at least willing to be. Otherwise, you will suffer shame for not believing in the Lord. "For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”" - Romans 10:11 Everywhere we see people dodging the Holy Spirit, and making excuses not to receive and embrace it, for real. "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." - Mark 8:38 The reality is that they do not believe in the Lord and they do not care about doing what He commanded us to do. They believe they do not need it, they believe they are already ready, they believe they are full. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." - Revelation 3:15-16 When in reality they are just afraid of taking a position, they do not want to leave what they indeed love: Sin, iniquity, lawlessness, perdition, darkness, partiality, hypocrisy. "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." - Revelation 21:8 What?! Do you want to put fear in me?! If you loved God what I have written would cause you no fear. "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." - 1 John 4:8 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." - 1 John 4:18 But as you said this causes you fear, this can be a sign you still have chances. Because fearing the Lord is something wise to do. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." - Proverbs 9:10 But those who do not take a position because they are worried what men will say about them, if their parents, friends, or anyone will not welcome them. You should not care, what can men do to you?! Even if they kill you, your life is with the Lord. If you think to live in this world, for yourselves and your pleasures is life; then please, think more. "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." - John 12:25 "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" - Luke 12:4-5 I do not hate you, because I love you I write this. Do not be afraid of being like your shepherd; and I mean The Shepherd. "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." - John 10:14 Then please, make a decision: Which shepherd you want to follow? The good or the evil? If you answered: the good. Then please, continue reading... Because you have to make a decision and believe for real, without partiality, and submit yourself fully to your shepherd. The evil shepherd may allow you to be of both sides: good and evil. But the good shepherd does not allow that, he wants you fully. He wants you in the truth. "for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" - Exodus 34:14 "And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." - Leviticus 20:26 Then please, do not be like the foolish virgins who only believed when it was too late. "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'" - Matthew 25:8 Why, why were they worried to meet the Lord?! Were they in truth?! Obviously, no. "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." - Luke 13:3 Do not take a position when it is too late. Start believing in Him now! Because you do not know if tomorrow will come, you do not know if you will have another chance. "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut." - Matthew 25:10 Do not be like the foolish. Hear, obey, and follow the Lord. Your friends and family will not give you life. "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." - Matthew 7:26-27 Whoever believes indeed in the Lord hears, obey, and follow Him. Do not be deceived. "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." - Revelation 3:18 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” - Revelation 16:15 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25 "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" - Hebrews 12:14-15 But the foolish virgins they decided to receive Him when it was too late. Their fear and unbelief caused them to not believe in Him and receive Him. "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." - John 20:29 It is your time now, welcome the Lord, welcome His Holy Spirit to your heart. Repent! Say goodbye to all things that does not please Him: Yourself, flesh, sin. Only He can set you free and make you dislike these things, indeed. All you have to do is ask: "Father, forgive me and give me the Holy Spirit! In Jesus' name. Amen!" "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" - Luke 11:13 You do not want to love sin, you do not want to love the flesh, or your friends and family, or anything else more than Him. "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." - Mark 1:8 Decide to follow Him, desire to be His, in spirit and truth! "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." - John 4:23 People will hate you, people will despise you, they will tell you all kinds of evil falsely against you. But they do this because they do not know Him. "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." - John 16:22 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever." - John 8:35 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming." - Matthew 24:42 God bless you in Jesus' name!

Ephesians 3:20 - "To Him who is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think, by means of the power working in us." Often, when our plans for a promise (given to us in scripture) don't come to pass, we think the promise has failed, too. Not so! We are merely being set up by God to see Him in even greater measure. God tells us to expect Him to move in big ways, but He also reminds us not to expect "how" it will look. We often feel we know how God should do something, or when He should do it. BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX OF OLD THINKING He wants to break us out of the boxes of what we think we know about Him and remind us that He is an awesome and infinitely faceted God. Because deep down, He knows the true cry of our heart is not simply for His promises to come forth, but that we might KNOW Him in an even greater way as promises come forth! He loves to surprise us! He loves to reveal His promises in ways that reveal a greater measure of who He is to us. if we stay in faith, continue in prayer, and praise and honor God, knowing that "His ways are higher than our ways," our DREAMS and DESTINIES will come forth! And they will come forth in ways that will show us new aspects of our incredible God that will have us praising Him and loving Him as never before! OUR TIMING OR GOD'S TIMING In John 11, we hear the story of Lazarus and his resurrection. Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary are dear friends of Jesus. God wants us to expect Him to move. He rewards that faith. But often His ways or His timing, at first, don't make sense to our way of thinking! Jesus loved Martha and Mary so much, that He did not respond to their prayer the way they thought He would, nor at the time which made sense to them. Jesus' intention was to bring them into a greater revelation of how and who He was. Martha and Mary knew Jesus was the answer to their problem. They knew He could help. They knew He was the promise. But because He didn't move in the way "they thought" He should and when He should, they were confused and they were hurt. Jesus stands before the tomb, the place of death, knowing that the only thing that has truly passed away is how Martha and Mary used to see Him. The promise wasn't dead. He was excited because He knew that Martha and Mary were about to find out that He was an even bigger, better, and more faithful God than they had ever imagined! Jesus turns to Mary and says, "Did I not say that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" (John 11:40). Jesus then declares that He knows God always hears our prayers (John 11:41), and then being confident in this, He cries out, "Lazarus, come forth!" (John 11:43). And Lazarus came forth, revealing a greater measure of who Jesus was, and a fuller realization of all things being possible. LOOKING PAST WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN Don't look back on what DIDN'T happen the way you thought it would. Look toward Jesus and praise Him that His ways are higher than our ways. Pour your heart out to Him. BELIEVE AND HAVE FAITH IN HIS WORD -- that He hears every one of our prayers, and that if we simply stand in that belief, we will see the glory of God. And that just like Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, we will not only see the promise come forth, we will see a greater revelation of Jesus! So we stand in faith, refusing any discouragement. We believe God to show up in surprising ways that reveal more of who He is to us than we have ever known before. We are excited that God is doing it "His perfect way," and that He is doing exceedingly and abundantly beyond all that you could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). May those things that you felt died be resurrected in even bigger and better ways to the glory of God. MAY YOU DECLARE: "Dreams and Destiny come forth!" ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

I am coming to the conclusion that my only way out is belief in Jesus. I know this. John 3:16 says whosoever shall believe in the Son shall not perish but have eternal life. How. do. I. Believe? I dont. For sure not saving faith. So I ask. How. do. I. Believe?

Shalom, everyone. I was posting in "Doubt" (thanks JohnD), and I got to thinking that what we were talking about is so VERY important, that we really should have a topic on it. (I know, there may already be one.) I had said, But, this is true for about EVERY aspect of our walk with God. Even when we are reading God's Word, it's not the "reading" that's important; it's the God about whom we are reading! When we give, it's not to a person or to an organization or to a church that's important; it's giving to the God whom we love that's important! This may be academic to some people, but I've been listening to "prosperity preachers" and have recognized a form of "faith" that is being exercised WITHOUT God involved! That's just NUTS (IMO)! What do you all think?

John 4:24 - "God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Observation: My true heart's desire is what attracts Him, like a fragrance rising on the air. He whispers delicately all the while to my inmost being -- and until now I have tried to follow Him on my own, and failed. Now He will show me how to follow Him in Spirit. Matthew 17:17 - "Then Jesus answered and said, 'O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.'" Jesus made it clear to the disciples that the gift of God would remain dormant in them if they could not believe. OBSERVATION: When we walk in fear, doubt, and rembrance of failures we are robbed of our boldness, and we become unable to step out in God's ablilty. Jeremiah 32:17 - "Alas, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! There is nothing too hard or too wonderful for You." Affirmation: I AM NEVER AS FAR FROM A MIRACLE AS IT FIRST APPEARS. OBSERVATION: The spirit of the resurrected Christ is in you -- find it. That discovery releases extraordinary faith. It's the discovery of the person in you -- that partnership positions you to redefine the nature of the world around you. Matthew 7:7 - "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Hello there WorthyChristianForums Community, I couldn't find a better section to write my personal story, I hope you read it until the last word because otherwise you won't get the idea. This is my story as a Lebanese person living in Israel and a message to the people around the world. I'm a young person who suffered from war and lost the childhood he was supposed to live surrounded by his family and friends. In a normal day Israel withdrew unexpectedly from South Lebanon after twenty-five years of war followed by many Lebanese families who served under the Israeli regiment, who had little choice but to, leave or die as was promised by the terrorists that were and still in Lebanon. We barely made it out alive leaving everything behind, some lost their lives even as we were trying to escape. We were shot at the border as we were denied to enter Israel at first. The only thing I took with me is a toy. We were held in a place that was full of mad and depressed people, so much yelling and crying, kids and grownups, people from all ages trying to find their loved ones and see if they survived. I don't remember all that happened that day and why did our car disappear, i was told they blew it up. Later on I found myself in a safe place living in a bungalow and riding a bicycle with my friends the whole day, the sea is few meters away from us, everything is alright, peace, no shooting, no booms no screams and cries, well, as far as I remember, you must keep in mind i was just a child… and my uncle's family is at the same place. My parents asked around to know where is the rest of the family, until we finally got to know that we have only two uncles here, one on my mom's side and one on my father's side and the rest remained in Lebanon. Later we were moved to another place leaving one uncle behind and joining the other. (Not by choice) After two years we were moved to a new place. Fresh new life, we rented an apartment, got some furniture, but no uncles and no cousins around, we didn't know anyone. Israel helped us moving and aided us some, slowly we understood that it will be hard to get back to Lebanon and that wasn't a thing I really wanted because of the fact that... Lebanon is in a deep war, bombs everywhere and people dying every day, and because of the fact that if we return to Lebanon my father will be imprisoned and they will torture him like they did to my grandfather, an old man, he was jailed and beaten and denied medication. Fifteen years passed since the day we came to this country. During these years I have met so many people, from all religions Jews, Muslims, Druze and Christians. I wish I could get to know some of them more and I wish I didn't meet some. What I learned by being around them is that religion is not the main problem. The problem is that everyone believes that this land is theirs to keep and want to kick the rest out or even kill them if they could. What they don't understand is that this land is not going with them after they die, instead of sharing it and enjoying life for what it really is, they make it hard for everyone. The reason behind our involvement is because we didn't want the people who were seeking asylum in Lebanon from using our homes as attack bases to fire on Israel which they did and to protect our families from rape, theft, being kidnapped and killed like they did to one of my uncles that i didn't get to know. As a result the South Lebanese people decided to unite and make an army by the order of the legitimate Lebanese government to keep peace in our lands under the Israeli regiment. Muslims, Druze, but mostly Christians stood together and joined the army to protect their home from terrorism and to stop the killing and the kidnapping. Now each and every person who was in the South Lebanese Army that left to Israel is considered a traitor in Lebanon. The terrorist organization is forcing the Lebanese people to believe that they are the protectors of Lebanon and that we the South Lebanese people who left to Israel and the Israeli people are the real terrorists. I can't blame my country it never had a moment of peace, throughout history nations conquered it and enslaved its people, there is no real government because anyone who has the power can take it and do whatever he likes, no one can really protect it from the terror, and most of Lebanon leaders support the terror because they are scared of them. Things escalated since, we got attacked by our own people, let alone those who sought asylum in Lebanon, and so we fought back, we alongside the Israeli people fought terror, we wanted to protect and free our land. But by year 2000 Israel decided to withdraw from Lebanon as it wasn't really leading anywhere and it was costing them a lot, money and blood, as it did us. Most of the families had young children like my family, who had me and my brother on the way, didn’t think twice and left, but the older people like my grandparents were unable to leave, they were rooted to their home and land. My grandmother and grandfather lived alone they didn't see their grandchildren growing and not their own children, my grandfather left us while I was writing this, I can't explain my feelings.. I wanted to be next to him I wanted to help him… I wish I can be next to my grandmother this moment… South Lebanon is an hour drive from us but we cannot visit for a second, leaving to Lebanon will be permanent and may cost us our lives. Despite all we have been through and being mistreated on several occasions, we were raised to be good to everyone and to forgive and forget… It's not easy though, especially when you are reminded of it every day by people who refuse to forgive or forget or try to understand. We have been living in a Jewish City for thirteen years (Arabs live in separate cities and settlements). We've seen a lot, bad things and good things, things like being called Arabs in school and being hated for it, even creating random fights with us just because we speak the language. Although I had a great teacher who took good care of me and helped me like I was her son and even helped me to find a job and she is a religious person. A while after I started college and started traveling around the country I was really surprised to hear for the first time from Arabs - Christians, Muslims, Druze what do they think about us. Confusing… Honestly… I'm a traitor in some people eyes… a weak person who betrayed his country… and living between Jews… can't be any worse, they actually hate us and make fun of us. Christians didn't welcome us especially at first, we found our cars smashed when we went to pray in one of their churches, so we can't expect the rest to treat us any better. Some people think that all the Lebanese people are the same as they see them in Media – Having fun, hanging out with many women, drinking, poker, casinos… no this is not South Lebanon! We were not able even to go to Beirut… The Jewish people main problem is thinking that we are "Arabs" ... as long as I talk Arabic around them it will be weird for them and I understand that… but for those some who got to know us, they started to show us some respect, supporting us morally. It is enough to get a smile from a neighbor, especially that we are living between them and we study with them, to make us happy. While studying software engineering I met a great Jewish friend who changed some of my views and I respect him like my brother (He lives in a village close to the border of Israel and Lebanon). It’s really confusing... From all the religions there are some people who like us and some who don't... But if you ask me who I like more or who I feel more close to? I will say "Don't hate, forgive, and respect me for who I am" In those fifteen years living in Israel we've had a lot of troubles, starting from all kind of people around who think that we are "Arabs" and "Terrorists" and "Betrayers" for not understanding who we are and what we went through, to personal issues as the Epilepsy of my brother that crashed us, and thank god he is alright now. I can't say that Israel should have helped us more than it did, but separating between us was a bad move, for us that is. For them they got what they wanted, two groups busy disliking each other over envy with no combined effort to pursue anything from the country… Two groups that one of them got more and the second one got much less, it's not fair… the result today is that one group has their own house, a new car, and having a normal life even traveling abroad … While the second group are struggling to raise their families dreaming about the day they might have a house that they won't be kicked out of. We personally moved 6 times from house to house ruining our stuff and paying a lot of money moving because the house owner decided to raise the rent. My family consists of five people, two parents and three sons, two of them under age, living in a rented two bedroom house paying for it 2,500 Shekels plus municipality taxes. After paying the rest of the bills, we are left with little money that we can't afford to buy the required food and clothing, my dad found himself at the end of every month in a bigger debt having to ask the bank for a loan after a loan to be able to go on, and asking all the government organizations for help and for a public housing that kept rejecting us. I respect him and I will never forget how strong he is for keeping us together and teaching us what’s right and what’s wrong, and for fighting to feed us with all the mental and financial pressures and every other hurdle, so many things that I learned from him and I will be passing it on. I can't explain how my mom is important in my life, the one problem she has is that she couldn't work and she's not able to work, I won't explain it here, but she is the heart of this family, she made me and my brothers so close to each other to take care of each other, to love each other, to forgive each other no matter what happens. I finished my high school years plus college and I got employed, I have been working for almost half a year and I'm helping my family a bit now, it is going to be hard for us to reach the main goal to buy a house for our family to live in and finally say we have a home and it's ours, let alone pursue my own life and my family to be… with all the problems that we have such as my little brother and mom's health issues "Celiac disease" (They can't eat anything that contains wheat, almost every product has wheat added just for the weight) just makes it harder to us because we must pay four times the normal price for their food, while we are fixing the damage that have been caused by the loans. I know that we are not the only family struggling to survive, many around the world are. However, it's important for me to pass this over so people around the world understand that we are not bad people, all we did is try to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Our presence in Israel isn't by choice, Israel after all is for the Jewish people, always been, always will be, it's not for us (A fact that was made clear through many occasions and by several means) but … Where else can we be? We have fallen prey to political games and we were too weak to do anything about it, I wish I could see Lebanon again for few seconds just to see my house and my family… my grandparents who aged alone. I want to feel how it is like being at home or to belong to somewhere, and not spend my days being shunned by the people I am living amongst for a crime I did not commit. It has been quite the journey and I still have a lot to tell, who knows what fate is holding for me. I will be working hard in the few next years trying to save money to be eligible to take a loan to buy a house or even to immigrate to another country searching for a better life, if I didn't mention it before life in Israel is very expensive with little income to the common man, but it's hard to find a country that will accept us all, maybe I can do it alone but it is hard for me to leave my family after all what we have gone through together. (I must say that this is only one story from so many more Lebanese who live in Israel who suffered a lot) If you wish to comment on my story , or offer any advice, you can reach me on lebaneselivinginisrael@gmail.com I would like to add and thank God very much for his guidance if it wasn't for our strong faith no christian lebanese family would have survived. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

Trust in God

"The winds of God are always blowing, but you must set the sails" - Author, Unknown - Luke 8:22-26 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. (Set sail) 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. 26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. Even when called by God will we go out against great storms! But, by the name of the Mighty Lord Jesus, and by Him are the seas calmed! We have been called to be the light on the hill, we have been told that DESPITE, our trials and tribulations to fear not, for the Lord has overcome! (Hallelujah!) Isaiah 24:4 "4For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall." We also have to learn and take to heart that God does not always heal, does not always "calm the storms" immediately. What He DOES promise is to be our Jehovah Ma'oz- a named revealed to David in Psalms 91:9 depicting this very thing declared in Isaiah 24:4. Be our stronghold, someone to lean on- to be there for us, a shelter from the storm- meaning be our peace, our righteousness! God offers this lavished love forevermore, but it must be YOU, who accepts it, it must be YOU, who sets the sails. God bless you in the name of our Mighty God!