Featured what is your greatest struggle?

I was developing a devotion the other day, and while putting my prayerful thoughts down on virtual paper, I wrote that my most significant struggle as a believer was with my faith.

At that moment, and remember I was developing this teaching prayerfully, I felt like the Lord stopped me and asked if that was really the terminology I meant to use. I asked why He questioned this candidness, and it was like I heard Him say, "my child, your faith is strong. In fact your faith is not in question, but rather your walk!"

That caused me to pause and prayerfully reflect about this correction from Abba, and I got to thinking that He was right on. My faith in His ability to save me and and lead me was not the real problem, but the inability to always walk in the manner in which He leads. After all, Jesus told us in Matt. 7:13-14 that the path was narrow, and it would have its problems, or trials. And while navigating the path, the times I get in trouble has less to do with my faith, and everything to with my choices when tempted or tried.

So I ask you. What gives you the most trouble as you walk the narrow path: your faith in Him to get you there, or, your ability to maintain a walk that is always in line with His teachings and expectations?

 

REV, you are correct! Sadly, this is a problem on the board! I kept looking to the post to see if anyone commented, and then the same sense of dread came over me! I got to think; I should never have even posted this, because like you say, it becomes spiritual fodder, food and ammunition for others to USE against us at a later time!

For this reason, I have ceased from being candid any longer, because there have been many, just recently in another post, where things I candidly shared were turned inside out and used against me to make me look bad, hyper spiritual and overly sensitive when it comes to trusting in the Holy Ghost and as much in the written teachings of men of faith who have since passed! I've even had members go to my book pages, then copy and paste examples of what was used to advertise the book, and then twist and spin what they selected to paste on this board for the purpose of degrading me, or making a nasty point!

You are correct, and it is a sad state of affairs that a topic like this can't be honestly approached, or even approached without the fear of being ridiculed, skewered (as you say), and spiritual filet!

Thanks for your honesty! Shalom!
humiliating

REV, you are correct! Sadly, this is a problem on the board! I kept looking to the post to see if anyone commented, and then the same sense of dread came over me! I got to think; I should never have even posted this, because like you say, it becomes spiritual fodder, food and ammunition for others to USE against us at a later time!

For this reason, I have ceased from being candid any longer, because there have been many, just recently in another post, where things I candidly shared were turned inside out and used against me to make me look bad, hyper spiritual and overly sensitive when it comes to trusting in the Holy Ghost and as much in the written teachings of men of faith who have since passed! I've even had members go to my book pages, then copy and paste examples of what was used to advertise the book, and then twist and spin what they selected to paste on this board for the purpose of humiliating me, or making a nasty point!

You are correct, and it is a sad state of affairs that a topic like this can't be honestly approached, or even approached without the fear of being ridiculed, skewered (as you say), and spiritual filet!

Thanks for your honesty! Shalom!

 

Tom, I am so sorry to read about your physical thorn, or suffering! Like you, I have several chronic conditions, conditions that when I mention, well meaning but overly zealous brothers and sisters remind me that I should not confess such illnesses.

I do not have MS, but having a medical background and having served as a Vocational Rehab Counselor for several years, I fully understand what you are faced with daily. Similar to you, I have a neurological disorder that was the result of an injury (slip and fall in the shower) while on a week long medical conference for Voc.Rehab in 1987. That one fall left me open for serious back injuries, major surgery in 1991 (laminectomy of L-2 through S-1 with rods and screws implanted to stabilize the spine). This one injury has resulted in diabetes, and debilitating nerve loss in feet, hands and internal organs! It is difficult to wake each day and find your body not cooperating or acting like you once remembered it. Your battle is so much worse than mine, and I feel so bad for you, yet admire your ability to carry on, doing what God has called you to do, and you do it well, because your faith is in Him for His help!

I am in pain 24/7, so I fully understand and empathize with you! I will add you to my list of brothers and sisters with chronic conditions, and pray for you!

My source of spiritual scriptural strength comes from Paul's teaching on the thorn! Let me close with this exert from 2 Cor. 12:1-10, verses 9-10 “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I do not like these disabilities, but, God is a lot stronger than any disability I suffer from, and each day, in my weakness and suffering, I am reminded that He loves me and is more than sufficient to meet my needs!

Shalom, Tom!

 

I guess I deserve this for coming against your post on another topic!

Oh, before I forget, like a 60s hippie, I refer to the magic of the computer screen as my virtual paper!

So now about your silly attempt to mock me. That is expected After all, Jesus did say that there would be those who "mock you in my name!" However, your mocking is nothing more than an attempt to once again discredit me for my beliefs; and it is understandable! But, if you mock me for speaking of God talking to me, what would you have said to Paul when he shared about meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus? Or the others, who wrote the NT under inspiration of the Holy Ghost? My goodness, Icon, John in Revelation, had a lot of illuminating experiences. Was he smoking pot and just imagining the things he was saying he was told to write! How about Joseph and Mary, and especially Mary, being told, when confronted by an angel, that she would give birth to the Savior? How about Noah being told to build an ark? Or Jonah to go to Nineveh? Or Moses to lead the children out of Egypt? Can man not hear from God?

That is right ... I forgot, you believe and hold tight to the teaching that all forms of spiritual gifts and enlightenment ended (magically) when the last Disciple died!

Shalom!

 

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Whatever ... he either believes that all the tools and gifts dispensed on those in Acts continued to the day He comes back for the church, or he doesn't. You can't pick and choose what gifts YOU want to except as still be available today. And he has a selective process, and in doing so, he mocks and makes light of my beliefs.

Let Icon speak for himself. Unless you are now claiming to have a gift of knowledge and discernment? And please stop with calling me untruthful, which is the same as saying I am a liar.

Once again the Pharisee side of your personality has surfaced as you cast doubt in my direction and judge me no less? Sad indeed.

 

What universe are you existing in rip? What rule say the "onus" is on me? That only works if the party you address has a sense of spiritual respect for you, and I have told you many times that because you have earned no respect from me that means I have zero, nada, zip, no respect for you, so any onus you say is on me, means absolutely nothing. I sure hope you aren't holding you breath,.it may leave you breathless.

times

 

Tom .... WHATEVER ..... you have your opinion, and I am entitled to mine. Respect that, or don't. That is your choice to make. Shalom and good health prayers to you in your circumstances.

This kind of argument is a "fool's errand" and it turns into "he said, you said!" Know one wins. I have far better things to do then be sucked into this stupid game. Shalom!

 

I disagree! I cannot respect a persons views just because they are made in the image of God. We are told to test the teachings and the teacher. I need to do that, and these brothers have not convinced me they know any more or less than myself. Nice try though!