SALVATION AND THE FEAR OF DEATH

[rfw]

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.

2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Does anyone love you more than God does? It is not unusual for those facing long-term illness or death to question (as in John the Baptist or Jeremiah). God is neither surprized nor disappointed in you. He is longing for you to prove what you have been taught about Him. And His peace will really guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Don't let your temporary circumstances upset your vision of your eternal joy in Him.

Psa 56:3 When I am afraid I will trust in You.

Psa 56:4 In God I will praise His Word; in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do to me.

Psa 56:11 I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psa 56:12 Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings to you.

Psa 56:13 For you have delivered my soul from death, and prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

[dgolvach]

I think for me the two biggest sins have been thinking I was right when I was wrong. The other problem is I have trouble trusting. I always have. Perhaps I need God to just grant me some patients. I do fear him and I do know that he is holy and I am not. I do sincerly want to spend eternity with him. If I wern't sincere than I doubt I would be so rattled by this whole ordeal. I have been a very self serving and prideful person at times. (not all of the time) Its been more "My way" than "His way". I am trying to do devotionals in the morning and ask him to change my heart. I don't know what else I can do. I do know that Jesus is the only God. That I don't struggle with. If I could just get a little confirmation from him in a way that I know he is here with me and that he cares. I think I would be OK with death or life. Just one little crumb of anything to know he is here.

Knowing you have God is the most important thing. I so need this.

Dan

[tah]

Father grant this request and fill Dave with the presence of Your Holy Spirit and give him rest and assurance in his salvation .. Merciful Lord speak clearly to Your child...

[thechild]

1 John 4:7-9

7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 4:17-19

17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19We love him, because he first loved us.

[shepherdsgrace]

Dear Dan,

No matter who we are or our situation, God responds to us according to our faith. If you begin to step out in faith and tell God that you know He is with you rather you feel him or not simply because his word says that He will never leave you or forsake you, then I assure you that you will begin to know his presence one way or the other.

[dgolvach]

Dear Dan,

No matter who we are or our situation, God responds to us according to our faith. If you begin to step out in faith and tell God that you know He is with you rather you feel him or not simply because his word says that He will never leave you or forsake you, then I assure you that you will begin to know his presence one way or the other.

I"m not sure that anything else matters that much to me anymore than finding God"s peace. My loved ones matter but if you don't have your health you don't have much. Peace is the only thing I can see that can bring hope. I just want peace.

Dan

[RGR]

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come before Your throne on behalf of Dan. Lord, You see his heart's cry; You see the desire and love he has for You. Give him peace and comfort, Father, and allow him to feel Your presence in a new way. Bless him and lead him according to Your will, Father. In Jesus name, amen.

[Guest Thomas I Believe]

OK! here is where I am at. I have been facing some serious health issues for the past few years and I am not sure if I will come through this ordeal. But the disease is not my reason for posting and I don't want to get side tracked. I have indeed asked Christ to save me. 26 years ago at 17. I have confessed that there are some areas in my life that don't measure up to God's standard. I have asked God to change me in those areas. I don't know what else I can do to be saved but I have been terrified as of late when I think of dying which may be sooner than later. I am in a horrific amount of pain and on alot of pain meds. Sometime I get the feeling that this misery here is just a warm up for whats to come. However, I am not sure that my thinking is staight. Still, it seems to me that if I truely had saving faith, I would no be so terrified. Any thoughts? encouragement? ect.

Greetings Dan,

I love you brother, as you have confessed before men the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are great to fess-up to your trials. We can be assured that God's hand is in all of this. Be at peace brother, even when your body is tortured by this disease. As has been said, there is nothing we can do to attain to salvation. If Christ doesn't do it, it won't get done. Have you considered that "God inhabits the praises of His people?" Kinda hard to do right now, but remember what Christ went through. He cried out to God: "Take this cup from me" and on the cross He said, "What has thou forsaken me". I don't think it is "fear" you are experiencing, but a trepidation of not knowing clearly what is to come. But be assured my brother that what is to come is far greater and more wonderful than man can speak with words. You are safe in His hands. Don't believe Satan's lies when he tries to tell you differently. The Lord said to me once "I shall never leave you nor forsake you." I believe that and I accept it - come what may.

We all suffer from the frailties of this body, sin, sickness, doubts, fears, worries, but just search the scriptures for those verses which the Holy Spirit shall reveal to you to grab hold on and not release. I have had God "speak" to me, almost verbally on a few occasions. Sometimes, His answer has come after many days, and at other times, they came almost immediately. Hold on to what you have. Consider your infirmities a blessing that draws you closer to God. That is the ONLY real thing worthy of all our efforts.

My prayers and blessings are with you brother,

Dad Ernie

My prayer:

Father, I do not know what Dan is going through, and I hope I never have to suffer as he is suffering. But this I do know that you are right there with him through all these difficulties. I pray God that you give him comfort in his heart, soul and mind and remind him that this is only temporary and you have a much better plan in store for him. Bless him this day Oh God! I ask these things in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Amen !! Dan the Lord is with you and He will never forsake you. Look unto Him for the strength you need. As Dad Ernie said engulf yourself in the word. God will reveal what you need . Lifting you up bro and will continue too.

[Guest Lupanyael]

Ok, here is some advice recently given to me by Dwight Thompson, an amazing evangelist who has been preaching a miraculous, Spirit filled revival at my church the past few weeks. There are 5 things you need to think about when it comes to your salvation. First, of course, is have you asked for forgiveness and accepted Christ as your savior. Second, is have you backslid, now no longer following God's Word. Third, is do you have any unforgiveness in your heart. God said he will forgive you your trespasses, as you forgive those who tresspass against you. But if you withhold forgiveness, God cannot forgive you. You must search your heart very deeply, as I did, to be sure you have not been harboring unforgiveness, which is a poison to the soul. Fourth is God cannot forgive and hidden, unconfessed sin. You have to lay it all out on the table, God knows it all anyway, so there is nothing to loose from confessing it, accept the sin itself. And lastly, you must confess your faith publicly. God does not want a closet Christian, if you want Jesus to confess you to the Father, then you must unashamedly confess your love of Christ publicly before men. If you have met all these, then you can rest assured of your homecoming. If you need to correct one of these areas, PRAY!!!!. Use all the time you have left to Honor Christ, and focus on the rewards... Jesus' open arms welcoming you into the Kingdom, nail scarred hands reaching out to embrace you. God bless you sir, and may God give you all manner of joy in your remaining days on Earth, for certainly you will know nothing but joy unspeakable once you have gone home.

[shepherdsgrace]

Father, may the peace that passes all understanding flow for Dan In the Name of Jesus!