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What if I'm too rebellious to be a christian?

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by xdisciplex, Feb 26, 2006.

  1. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    Hi everybody!

    No, I don't really have a church which suits me. The churches in my area are all pretty hard to reach this is the problem. From time to time I go to a charismatic church but I don't feel comfortable there. The people are too different and I also cannot really get much from the sermons. The the way they worship drags me down and makes me depressive because I don't jump around and freak out. I also don't become happy as soon as I enter the church. Others enter the church and as soon as the music starts they become totally happy but I don't. Sometimes I ask myself wether this is real or only emotional.

    I think it was Jim who mentioned sanctification.
    Does this also have something to do with the rapture? Are those christians which are not sanctified enough left behind? This is scary. I don't want to be left behind. But if I do all kinds of works only because of fear of being left behind then it also doesn't work. I mean fear paralyzes you and doesn't set you free. Fear of being left behind doesn't make you any more productive for God. But when I compare myself to other christians which are totally on fire for God then there is such a giant difference between them and me that I fear being left behind cause they are much better than me. Maybe they are those which get raptured and I am left behind. :(
     
  2. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    There's no such thing. If there were, I'd have never become a Christian [​IMG]
     
  3. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    I also don't know wether other christians also have these problems. I mean usually you don't walk around telling other people about your rebellious thoughts. So maybe they also have them but don't talk about them. I simply always have to examine myself to know wether what I have is "normal".
     
  4. Gwen

    Gwen Active Member

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    xdisciplex,

    I think you are certainly not too rebellious to be a Christian. We are all rebellious! That's why we need a Saviour. [​IMG]

    Paul talked about the two natures: the old and the new. The one we feed the most will be the strongest. I suggest you get into a good Bible Study. Learn about God and his character. Paul said in Romans 12:2 that we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Even the Apostle Paul said in 1Cor. 15:31 that he had to die daily. Don't be discouraged! This is a very common problem, one that we all share.

    There is great diversity among Christians. We are all parts of one body, but we do not all look the same, or have the same function. Don't worry that you are not as "on fire" for God as some other Christians. I believe it to be a matter of growth in Christ. As you become more mature in your christian walk, you will change!
    Read Romans chapters 6 thru 8. Paul adresses this--better than I can!

    Hope this helps.
    In Him,
    Gwen
     
  5. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    Hi Gwen!

    Thanks for your reply. You mentioned the old man. This is also something which I don't really understand. I have been water-baptized last year. It says when you do this the old man is dead. Actually the bible says he died 2000 years ago with Jesus on the cross. But if the old man is dead then why is he still active? Why do I still notice him? How do I deal with this? And how does this become reality? That's he's really dead? Do I simply have to believe more that he's dead and then it will come true? This is the problem that I have so many questions about all these things and unless I really understand how something works I also cannot put it into practice. :(
    I already felt like I do not have enough faith because the bible says the old man is dead but I notice that he's still active. And then I don't know how to deal with it. It makes me insecure when I notice that there is a difference between what the bible says and the reality.
     
  6. music4Him

    music4Him New Member

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    I also don't know wether other christians also have these problems.

    You'd be suprized! Hang in there and just read your bible and pray. Paul prayed a prayer for realization in Eph.3: 14-21. I pray that you will read it and if you feel lead to pray it for yourself please do. I can see that you are honest and being real (not a fake). It also seems you are sincere and would like to not have rebellious thoughts and brother thats a start.
     
  7. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    Hi!
    I read it.

    Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
    Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;


    Does this mean I have to somehow get a revelation of God's love? How do I get this? Actually I think the same. I think you cannot intellectually grasp his love. This is something which you cannot understand with your mind. But how do I get such a revelation? I mean this sounds so easy like "Get a revelation and then everything will be fine."
    But the problem is how do I get this? If I could feel God's love only for 1 second, if I could grasp it then I bet I wouldn't even have these problems. :confused:
     
  8. Gwen

    Gwen Active Member

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    "If the old man is dead then why is he still active?"

    Great question!! Our old nature is dead--died with Christ 2000 years ago. Why do we still obey this old nature? Because we continue in our old habits and ways of doing things. Romans 6:11-14 says that we are dead to the appeal and power of sin, but alive to God thru Christ. Our old ways must be changed (renew your mind) so that we obey Christ and walk in His ways.

    The first step is to KNOW what the Bible says. The second step is to DO what the Bible says.

    It takes time to retrain your thots (renew your mind) and change your behavior.

    Paul said in Romans 7:24 "Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of death?" Paul struggled with the same issues. We want to serve God, but our dead sin nature wants to serve sin. Romans 8:4 says to "walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." Even tho the old man is dead, we continue to do what he wants because we haven't yet learned to walk in the power of Christ. Simply put, that just means to do what He says even tho it is against our nature.

    I think you are on the right track with your questions. Since you are a Christian you can be sure that God has begun a work in you, and will continue that work of conforming you to His Son's image (Romans 8:28-29). You have His promise on that!
     
  9. RTG

    RTG New Member

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    Staying in the word is a must.x,this verse of scripture along with specific prayer has helped me,In thought related sin.1 Corinthians 10:13 I pray that you find peace.RTG
     
  10. music4Him

    music4Him New Member

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    Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
    Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

    Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

    Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

    Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

    Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

    (He could have called on ten thousand angel to get Him out of there but He must of thought we are worth it.)

    Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
    Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
    Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
    Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.


    Is the revelation of Jesus being rejected revelation enough?
    Is the revelation of Jesus being spit on, mocked and beaten by the guards revelation enough? :(
    How about Jesus going to the whipping post and being whipped 39 stripes til surly his back was like hambugar meat? :( For you!
    Is the revelation that Jesus loved us so much He went to the cross and shed his blood and died [​IMG] for our sins enough revelation. So that if we call on the name of Jesus we shall not perish but have everlating life because of His sacrifice? Jesus's grave is empty....so that no man has to die and go to hell but have everlasting life. Can you grasp this revelation? Please do not say that I have no revelation of His love. In the bible the refers to us as we are like sheep....so have you studied sheep here latley you may find it interesting.......... intellectually that is.
     
  11. JackRUS

    JackRUS New Member

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    Shouldn't you be keen on obeying His Word too? I would suggest that you read the Book of James every day for a month, and do what it says as these thoughts sink into your mind. Thoughts are one thing, but do you act on these thoughts? Scripture says to make every thought captive to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) I suggest that you memorize this and other Scripture that will help you to put on the whole armor of God.

    Are you in the Word?
     
  12. Claudia_T

    Claudia_T New Member

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    disciple,

    The secret is in asking God for help, for the sake of others and for the sake of glorifying Him. Then He will answer you. If you will read and re-read over and over, all that is here until you take it to heart, you will begin to understand:


    Asking to Give
    [This chapter is based on Luke 11:1-13.]

    Christ was continually receiving from the Father that He might communicate to us. "The word which ye hear," He said, "is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me." John 14:24. "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." Matt. 20:28. Not for Himself, but for others, He lived and thought and prayed. From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to others. His words were given Him fresh from the heavenly courts, words that He might speak in season to the weary and oppressed. "The Lord God hath given Me," He said, "the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned." Isa. 50:4.

    Christ's disciples were much impressed by His prayers and by His habit of communion with God. One day after a short absence from their Lord, they found Him absorbed in supplication. Seeming unconscious of their presence, He continued praying aloud. The hearts of the disciples were deeply moved. As He ceased praying, they exclaimed, "Lord, teach us to pray."

    In answer, Christ repeated the Lord's prayer, as He had given it in the sermon on the mount. Then in a parable He illustrated the lesson He desired to teach them.

    "Which of you," He said, "shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend. lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed: I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth."

    Here Christ represents the petitioner as asking that he may give again. He must obtain the bread, else he cannot supply the necessities of a weary, belated wayfarer. Though his neighbor is unwilling to be troubled, he will not desist his pleading; his friend must be relieved; and at last his importunity is rewarded, his wants are supplied.

    In like manner the disciples were to seek blessings from God. In the feeding of the multitude and in the sermon on the bread from heaven, Christ had opened to them their work as His representatives. They were to give the bread of life to the people. He who had appointed their work, saw how often their faith would be tried. Often they would be thrown into unexpected positions, and would realize their human insufficiency. Souls that were hungering for the bread of life would come to them, and they would feel themselves to be destitute and helpless. They must receive spiritual food, or they would have nothing to impart. But they were not to turn one soul away unfed. Christ directs them to the source of supply. The man whose friend came to him for entertainment, even at the unseasonable hour of midnight, did not turn him away. He had nothing to set before him, but he went to one who had food and pressed his request until the neighbor supplied his need. And would not God, who had sent His servants to feed the hungry, supply their need for His own work?

    But the selfish neighbor in the parable does not represent the character of God. The lesson is drawn, not by comparison, but by contrast. A selfish man will grant an urgent request, in order to rid himself of one who disturbs his rest. But God delights to give. He is full of compassion, and He longs to grant the requests of those who come unto Him in faith. He gives to us that we may minister to others and thus become like Himself.

    Christ declares, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

    The Saviour continues: "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"

    In order to strengthen our confidence in God, Christ teaches us to address Him by a new name, a name entwined with the dearest associations of the human heart. He gives us the privilege of calling the infinite God our Father. This name, spoken to Him and of Him, is a sign of our love and trust toward Him, and a pledge of His regard and relationship to us. Spoken when asking His favor or blessing, it is as music in His ears. That we might not think it presumption to call Him by this name, He has repeated it again and again. He desires us to become familiar with the appellation.

    God regards us as His children. He has redeemed us out of the careless world and has chosen us to become members of the royal family, sons and daughters of the heavenly King. He invites us to trust in Him with a trust deeper and stronger than that of a child in his earthly father. Parents love their children, but the love of God is larger, broader, deeper, than human love can possibly be. It is immeasurable. Then if earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more shall our Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

    Christ's lessons in regard to prayer should be carefully considered. There is a divine science in prayer, and His illustration brings to view principles that all need to understand. He shows what is the true spirit of prayer, He teaches the necessity of perseverance in presenting our requests to God, and assures us of His willingness to hear and answer prayer.

    Our prayers are not to be a selfish asking, merely for our own benefit. We are to ask that we may give. The principle of Christ's life must be the principle of our lives. "For their sakes," He said, speaking of His disciples, "I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified." John 17:19. The same devotion, the same self-sacrifice, the same subjection to the claims of the word of God, that were manifest in Christ, must be seen in His servants. Our mission to the world is not to serve or please ourselves; we are to glorify God by co-operating with Him to save sinners. We are to ask blessings from God that we may communicate to others. The capacity for receiving is preserved only by imparting. We cannot continue to receive heavenly treasure without communicating to those around us.

    In the parable the petitioner was again and again repulsed, but he did not relinquish his purpose. So our prayers do not always seem to receive an immediate answer; but Christ teaches that we should not cease to pray. Prayer is not to work any change in God; it is to bring us into harmony with God. When we make request of Him, He may see that it is necessary for us to search our hearts and repent of sin. Therefore He takes us through test and trial, He brings us through humiliation, that we may see what hinders the working of His Holy Spirit through us.

    There are conditions to the fulfillment of God's promises, and prayer can never take the place of duty. "If ye love Me," Christ says, "Keep My commandments." "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." John 14:15, 21. Those who bring their petitions to God, claiming His promise while they do not comply with the conditions, insult Jehovah. They bring the name of Christ as their authority for the fulfillment of the promise, but they do not those things that would show faith in Christ and love for Him.

    Many are forfeiting the condition of acceptance with the Father. We need to examine closely the deed of trust wherewith we approach God. If we are disobedient, we bring to the Lord a note to be cashed when we have not fulfilled the conditions that would make it payable to us. We present to God His promises, and ask Him to fulfill them, when by so doing He would dishonor His own name.

    The promise is "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7. And John declares: "Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." 1 John 2:3-5.

    One of Christ's last commands to His disciples was "Love one another as I have loved you." John 13:34. Do we obey this command, or are we indulging sharp, unchristlike traits of character? If we have in any way grieved or wounded others, it is our duty to confess our fault and seek for reconciliation. This is an essential preparation that we may come before God in faith, to ask His blessing.

    There is another matter too often neglected by those who seek the Lord in prayer. Have you been honest with God? By the prophet Malachi the Lord declares, "Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings." Mal. 3:7, 8.

    As the Giver of every blessing, God claims a certain portion of all we possess. This is His provision to sustain the preaching of the gospel. And by making this return to God, we are to show our appreciation of His gifts. But if we withhold from Him that which is His own, how can we claim His blessing? If we are unfaithful stewards of earthly things, how can we expect Him to entrust us with the things of heaven? It may be that here is the secret of unanswered prayer.

    But the Lord in His great mercy is ready to forgive, and He says, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, . . . if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field. . . . And all nations shall call you blessed; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts." Mal. 3:10-12.

    So it is with every other one of God's requirements. All His gifts are promised on condition of obedience. God has a heaven full of blessings for those who will co-operate with Him. All who obey Him may with confidence claim the fulfillment of His promises.

    But we must show a firm, undeviating trust in God. Often He delays to answer us in order to try our faith or test the genuineness of our desire. Having asked according to His word, we should believe His promise and press our petitions with a determination that will not be denied.

    God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks. Christ said to Martha at the grave of Lazarus, "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God." John 11:40.

    But many have not a living faith. This is why they do not see more of the power of God. Their weakness is the result of their unbelief. They have more faith in their own working than in the working of God for them. They take themselves into their own keeping. They plan and devise, but pray little, and have little real trust in God. They think they have faith, but it is only the impulse of the moment. Failing to realize their own need, or God's willingness to give, they do not persevere in keeping their requests before the Lord.

    Our prayers are to be as earnest and persistent as was the petition of the needy friend who asked for the loaves at midnight. The more earnestly and steadfastly we ask, the closer will be our spiritual union with Christ. We shall receive increased blessings because we have increased faith.

    Our part is to pray and believe. Watch unto prayer. Watch, and co-operate with the prayer-hearing God. Bear in mind that "we are labourers together with God." 1 Cor. 3:9. Speak and act in harmony with your prayers. It will make an infinite difference with you whether trial shall prove your faith to be genuine, or show that your prayers are only a form.

    When perplexities arise, and difficulties confront you, look not for help to humanity. Trust all with God. The practice of telling our difficulties to others only makes us weak, and brings no strength to them. It lays upon them the burden of our spiritual infirmities, which they cannot relieve. We seek the strength of erring, finite man, when we might have the strength of the unerring, infinite God.

    You need not go to the ends of the earth for wisdom, for God is near. It is not the capabilities you now possess or ever will have that will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you. We need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given you.

    Take the word of Christ as your assurance. Has He not invited you to come unto Him? Never allow yourself to talk in a hopeless, discouraged way. If you do you will lose much. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulties and pressure come, you give evidence of a sickly, enfeebled faith. Talk and act as if your faith was invincible. The Lord is rich in resources; He owns the world. Look heavenward in faith. Look to Him who has light and power and efficiency.

    There is in genuine faith a buoyancy, a steadfastness of principle, and a fixedness of purpose that neither time nor toil can weaken. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isa. 40:30, 31.

    There are many who long to help others, but they feel that they have no spiritual strength or light to impart. Let them present their petitions at the throne of grace. Plead for the Holy Spirit. God stands back of every promise He has made. With your Bible in your hands say, I have done as Thou hast said. I present Thy promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

    We must not only pray in Christ's name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said that the Spirit "maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered." Rom. 8:26. Such prayer God delights to answer. When with earnestness and intensity we breathe a prayer in the name of Christ, there is in that very intensity a pledge from God that He is about to answer our prayer "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Eph. 3:20.

    Christ has said, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

    Mark 11:24. "Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:13. And the beloved John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaks with great plainness and assurance: "If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." 1 John 5:14, 15. Then press your petition to the Father in the name of Jesus. God will honor that name.

    The rainbow round about the throne is an assurance that God is true, that in Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. We have sinned against Him, and are undeserving of His favor; yet He Himself has put into our lips that most wonderful of pleas, "Do not abhor us, for Thy name's sake; do not disgrace the throne of Thy glory; remember, break not Thy covenant with us." Jer. 14:21. When we come to him confessing our unworthiness and sin, He has pledged Himself to give heed to our cry. The honor of His throne is staked for the fulfillment of His word unto us.

    Like Aaron, who symbolized Christ, our Saviour bears the names of all His people on His heart in the holy place. Our great High Priest remembers all the words by which He has encouraged us to trust. He is ever mindful of His covenant.

    All who seek of Him shall find. All who knock will have the door opened to them. The excuse will not be made, Trouble Me not; the door is closed; I do not wish to open it. Never will one be told, I cannot help you. Those who beg at midnight for loaves to feed the hungry souls will be successful.

    In the parable, he who asks bread for the stranger, receives "as many as he needeth." And in what measure will God impart to us that we may impart to others?

    "According to the measure of the gift of Christ." Eph. 4:7. Angels are watching with intense interest to see how man is dealing with his fellow men. When they see one manifest Christlike sympathy for the erring, they press to his side and bring to his remembrance words to speak that will be as the bread of life to the soul. So "God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19. Your testimony in its genuineness and reality He will make powerful in the power of the life to come. The word of the Lord will be in your mouth as truth and righteousness.

    Personal effort for others should be preceded by much secret prayer; for it requires great wisdom to understand the science of saving souls. Before communicating with men, commune with Christ. At the throne of heavenly grace obtain a preparation for ministering to the people.

    Let your heart break for the longing it has for God, for the living God. The life of Christ has shown what humanity can do by being partaker of the divine nature. All that Christ received from God we too may have. Then ask and receive. With the persevering faith of Jacob, with the unyielding persistence of Elijah, claim for yourself all that God has promised.

    Let the glorious conceptions of God possess your mind. Let your life be knit by hidden links to the life of Jesus. He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness is willing to shine in your heart, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will take the things of God and show them unto you, conveying them as a living power into the obedient heart. Christ will lead you to the threshold of the Infinite. You may behold the glory beyond the veil, and reveal to men the sufficiency of Him who ever liveth to make intercession for us.
     
  13. Claudia_T

    Claudia_T New Member

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    disciple:


    ASKING HELP FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

    James:4:3: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

    Mt:6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

    The secret of prayer is to ask God for help, not because you want to go to heaven, not because you want to avoid going to hell, not for your own self-centered reasons... but because you want to honor God in all you do and because you want to be able to help your fellow man.


    "And now, O Lord my God, Thou hast made Thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people which Thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this Thy so great a people?

    "And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing."

    "Because this was in thine heart," God said to Solomon, "and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge My people," "behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor," "such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like."

    "And if thou wilt walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days." 1 Kings 3:5-14; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12.

    God promised that as He had been with David, so He would be with Solomon. If the king would walk before the Lord in uprightness, if he would do what God had commanded him, his throne would be established and his reign would be the means of exalting Israel as "a wise and understanding people," the light of the surrounding nations. Deuteronomy 4:6.

    The language used by Solomon while praying to God before the ancient altar at Gibeon reveals his humility and his strong desire to honor God. He realized that without divine aid he was as helpless as a little child to fulfill the responsibilities resting on him. He knew that he lacked discernment, and it was a sense of his great need that led him to seek God for wisdom. In his heart there was no selfish aspirations for a knowledge that would exalt him above others. He desired to discharge faithfully the duties devolving upon him, and he chose the gift that would be the means of causing his reign to bring glory to God. Solomon was never so rich or so wise or so truly great as when he confessed, "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in."

    It is by honoring God and obeying His commands that a man is made truly great.

    The God whom we serve is no respecter of persons. He who gave to Solomon the spirit of wise discernment is willing to impart the same blessing to His children today. "If any of you lack wisdom," His word declares, "let him ask of God, the giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5. When a burden bearer desires wisdom more than he desires wealth, power, or fame, he will not be disappointed. Such a one will learn from the Great Teacher not only what to do, but how to do it in a way that will meet with the divine approval.
     
  14. Eliyahu

    Eliyahu Active Member
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    Everyone contributed quite well on this issue.

    In case of Disciplex, he may have many questions in the early stage of the growth and need some struggle within the Lord. Before he shows any devotion yet, first he has many questions to be answered. So, he need to contemplate with the Bible. Even after the salvation, even though our Old man died, the dead body of old man smells often bad smells. The solution is that we should regard such old man as dead as we read Romans 6:11. We should reckon it as dead and look up Jesus Christ. This is different from any Works or Behavior as we read Gal 3:3

    Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?


    5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

    Gal 5: 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace


    What is the difference between Unsaved persons sin and the bad smell of the dead old man in ourselves? The believers can easily overcome the sins by remembering and returning to the fact that Jesus Christ paid all the price for our sins and our old man was crucified at the Cross.

    It is like watching TV for the Soccer game. We learned that our team has won the game already at the Cross, but when we watch the game on TV, the struggle looks very much difficult and thrilling, but if we remember that the game was already won at the Cross, we can trust that we will win the game.

    We have to look up Jesus and kneel down in His presence so that we may obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then He will clear up all the questions and problems within us. Reading a Good Bible is effective in this regard and good commentaries help it too.
     
  15. Michael52

    Michael52 Member

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    disciple

    Lk 11:9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
    Lk 11:10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

    Don't think for a minute that you are the only Christian who has nagging questions and doubts. These are the things which motivate us to learn and grow in the Lord.

    Not everyone's path is the same. No one's struggles are the same. We are all on a unique mission for the unique ministry God has laid before us.

    If you remain persistant and consistant in your search, one day you will realize that the Lord has truly led you and you will see things in a different light. You will then be in a unique position to help someone who is struggling with the same issues you once had.

    Your current struggles, which you will overcome with the Lord's help, will be a blessing, both for you and for those who need your insight.

    Ro 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
     
  16. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    Thanks everybody.
     
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