All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
What if someone wants to give up themselves and give their life completely to Jesus?
What if someone wants to give up themselves and give their life completely to Jesus? What if they don't believe to just say a prayer to be saved but do know to read the bible? Then what? I want to ask God to give me a desire to follow Him but I think this sudden want to is because of bad things going on and a crushed heart and knowing that lives may be torn apart from each other. I then feel guilty because of thinking this may be the only reason want to seek the Lord. Will the Holy Spirit draw a person if He is asked? Or He just comes when God says to come? I know that repentance is something you do. I have asked this question maybe a hundred times.
What if you can never comprehend and receive spiritual biblical knowledge? Im getting older my health isn't very good and I am afraid that if the things are going to happen with people I care about I will not be strong enough to deal with this .... this is why I am wanting to be saved and know I am. I need God to hear my crys. about these people I need assurance of salvation and for my family.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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Is it that you feel like, when things are going well, you are living in a state of rebellion, but when things are going badly, you seek to insulate yourself from the pain through wanting to get right with God? I know you don't think being right with God will make all the problems go away, and, to me, you don't seem like someone who just wants to use God to get what she wants. We all need grace, and, I think that we are all just like everyone else when it comes to recognizing our failures and seeing our dependence upon God, but it's so much easier to show grace to others when they mess up than it is to show it to ourselves, or, at least I think so, when it comes to me, anyway. I keep praying for God to change me inside so that I'm drawn more to righteousness. I'm not sure it's a change that any of us can work up within ourselves, by ourselves.
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Permalink Reply by ribbon on
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Is it that you feel like, when things are going well, you are living in a state of rebellion, but when things are going badly, you seek to insulate yourself from the pain through wanting to get right with God?
When things seem to go well I sometimes think about the Lord but there isn't a noticeable desire to know Him. When things seem to be going bad and not just for me but my loved ones... bad to where I double over in fear and emotional pain <---- that is when I desire Him. I think anyway. Its like I hurt so much I need to run to someone to cry for Help and the Lord is who I think of. But , then I feel so guilty and ridiculous and very hypocritical for doing so , so I back off.
I know you don't think being right with God will make all the problems go away, and, to me, you don't seem like someone who just wants to use God to get what she wants
When I thought I was giving God my all ,it seemed everything was going wrong with me and in my household... I never once thought I would be problem free and never asked God for anything except to save my family and others who were lost and for our safety. I cannot even remember praying for my failing finances. So , no I dint use God just for what I wanted. Not then anyway.
We all need grace, and, I think that we are all just like everyone else when it comes to recognizing our failures and seeing our dependence upon God, but it's so much easier to show grace to others when they mess up than it is to show it to ourselves, or, at least I think so, when it comes to me, anyway. I keep praying for God to change me inside so that I'm drawn more to righteousness. I'm not sure it's a change that any of us can work up within ourselves, by ourselves.
I think it is easier to believe that someone else can be forgiven but hard to believe self can. Today I had a memory from years ago. I remember my roommates sister and brother in-law moved from out of state and in with us. My roommate didn't talk to me about it she just moved them and all their kids in. Me, well I wouldn't have it. Her brother in-law needed to get off his duff and get a job and provide for his own family. They stayed so I called the landlord and told him how many of us were there now. He came by when I was at work and said they would have to move out or we would have to pay a larger rent. They moved out. I was glad.. Today when I remembered this I thought on my gosh How cold was I? They had little kids . One had apparently had recent surgery because she had a scar.I asked God today to forgive me about that and I feel shame I don't feel forgiven nor do I think I have been forgiven. There is so much I have done. that is against God.. Im telling you I am a sweety compared to how I was but I cant forget a lot of what I done. Its hard too to go to God when some things were so cold hearted. Im off subject I don't even remember what this subject in forum is now.
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A.B. Simpson wrote:
A Chinaman was once telling the difference between Christ and Confucius and Buddha. He said: "I was down in a deep pit, half sunk in the mire and was crying for some one to help me out. As I looked up I saw a venerable, grey-haired man looking down at me. His countenance bore the marks of his pure and holy spirit. 'My son,' he said, 'this is a dreadful place.' 'Yes,' I said, 'I fell into it. Can't you help me out?' 'My son,' he said, 'I am Confucius. If you had read my books and followed what they taught, you never would have been here.' 'Yes, father,' I said, 'but can't you help me out?' As I looked up he was gone.
Soon I saw another form approaching, and another man bent over me, this time with closed eyes and folded arms. He seemed to be looking into some far-off, distant place. 'My son,' he said, 'just close your eyes and fold your arms and forget all about yourself. Get into a state of perfect rest. Don't think about anything that could disturb. Get so still that nothing can move you. Then, my child, you will be in such delicious rest as I am. 'Yes, father,' I answered, 'I'll do that when I am above ground. Can't you help me out?' But Buddha, too, was gone.
I was just beginning to sink into despair when I saw another figure above me, different from the others. He was very simple, and looked just like the rest of us, but there were the marks of suffering in His face. I cried out to Him: 'Oh, Father, can you help me?'
'My child,' He said, 'what is the matter?' Before I could answer Him, He was down in the mire by my side; He folded His arms about me and lifted me up, and then He fed and rested me. When I was well, He did not say, 'Now, don't do that again,' but He said, 'We will walk on together now;' and we have been walking together until this day."
That's what Jesus Christ will do for you, beloved! He comes down to you where you are. He becomes your trust within you, and then you go on together until the resurrection light and glory of the coming age bursts in upon you. May God help us all to receive Him thus fully for His own name's sake! Amen. (A.B. Simpson)
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Permalink Reply by Seek on
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When things seem to go well I sometimes think about the Lord but there isn't a noticeable desire to know Him. When things seem to be going bad and not just for me but my loved ones... bad to where I double over in fear and emotional pain <---- that is when I desire Him. I think anyway. Its like I hurt so much I need to run to someone to cry for Help and the Lord is who I think of. But , then I feel so guilty and ridiculous and very hypocritical for doing so , so I back off.
You ever notice how people can go along on a mountain top in their life, things are going good, they're too busy to go to church or pray because they're enjoying life on that mountain. Then suddenly tragedy strikes and they're in the valley and start crying out to God, start going to church and seeking answers. Have you noticed how a tragedy can draw a community together in a common cause?
This isn't anything new to man. God used tragedy and suffering to draw us closer to Him. When things are going so well for a long time, sometimes He has to remind us that He's still there. We get our thoughts off of Him because we get carried away with our idols. But in the valley, we need His presence and we cry out to Him. So He let's us go through these times so we draw closer to Him.
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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on
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Grace and Peace to you, Janie,
You've been asking, searching, and yearning for what many people all over the world, including AAG, over the years have been seeking for.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you received the Lord, and all your loved ones "came home", with love and devotion overflowing......and everybody lived happily ever after, here.......and then in heaven?
There's nothing wrong with hoping and praying for that.
Interesting our Sister, the Watchman, recently posted a blog containing some thoughts from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers........Next to the Bible, one of my favorite books.
Let's start with the Lord Jesus Christ. He said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."(Taken from John 14:6, NKJV).
"Our Lord never insists on our obedience. He stresses very definitely what we ought to do, but He never forces us to do it."
(Quoted from Chambers, Nov. 2). Please check the word "if" in the following verses - "Then He said to them all," IF anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,and follow Me." Luke 9:23, NKJV).
Jesus is saying that "If" anyone wants to be His disciple, they must deny the things of this world, plus crucify their "old selves" and follow Him only (repentance).
Luke 14:26, " IF anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." (NKJV).
The word "hate" (Greek- miseo) in the Bible can mean anything from an abomination to loving less, or having a relative preference for one thing over another.
Point being in these examples, IF we WANT to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who provides access to the Heavenly Father, we must forgo the things of this world.
Janie, if you choose to follow this narrow path, you will probably have to start it by yourself, with the Holy Spirit. It seems to me your loved ones aren't ready yet. You will have to lead...........
What to do? Follow the Apostle Peter's instructions in Acts 2:38.
Don't expect positive changes to occur overnight......it won't be easy, but then anything worthwhile isn't usually easy.
But then, the Lord works in mysterious ways.
I'm praying for you, along with your friends here at AAG.
And Janie, you WILL know, in your heart.............Grace and Peace.
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Let's start with the Lord Jesus Christ. He said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."(Taken from John 14:6, NKJV).
By through Him, How? How do you go through Him? I understand it doesn't mean walk through Him like he is transparent,,, but what does that mean? Does it mean read your bible and just have faith and believe? How can someone have this faith and belief by their own self? I wrote that and rememberd faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. I have my bible here ... but quit reading again. That's another thing. I still have that fear of the feeling of a total rejection from God if I try to get close to Him again. Satanic attacks. I am remembering now as I wrote that just now of someone , I think from here , said that if God had totally rejected me that night , I would be dead. Something like that. It is hard for me to write. I think faster than what I can type and then as I type I forget . I will be back maybe tomorrow. thank yall for replying when you did
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By through Him, How? How do you go through Him?
It depends on the reading. Some say No one comes to the Father except through me...dome say except by me. But all mean that the only way to God is by Jesus being the mediator. When you accept Christ, you are made righteous and holy. God cannot abide unrighteousness, so in order to see us as righteous, He sees us through the blood sacrifice of His Son. It's the only way we get to God. We have to accept what Christ did for us and desire to follow Him, and that is how we go through Him or by Him to God.
John 14:6
King James Bible
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.New International Version
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.How can someone have this faith and belief by their own self?
Romans 12:3 ....according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
You already have faith. Everyone does. It depends on what you do with that faith.
Romans 12:3 ....according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
God recently opened my eyes to this in a new way. If we have so little faith, yet He says if we have faith as small as a mustard seed....how can this be? We all have THE measure of faith. The mustard seed faith. What is a seed designed to do? Grow. How does it grow? You feed it, water it. If you want to grow your faith, what must you do?
Romans 10:7 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
We cannot grow our mustard seed unless we keep feeding it. We have to renew our mind and remain in the Word.
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Romans 12:3 ....according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
You already have faith. Everyone does. It depends on what you do with that faith.
He gives this measure of faith to every man born again or not born again? Or does the measure of faith come to those who are newly His?
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First off it states God has dealt to every man...not just some.
Read the passages from Romans 1 below.
Romans 1 (KJV)
Vs 17 states "The just shall live by faith." We cannot live by something we do not have. So by this wouldn't the opposite be true in that the unjust will NOT live by faith?
18-21 clearly shows that that which may be known of God has been shown to the unrighteousness. And that the things of God are clearly seen so that they are without excuse. And 21 states "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
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Janie,
I'd like to offer a different POV, regarding your questions, He gives this faith to every man born again or not born again? Or does the measure of faith come to those who are newly His?
It's something I've been exploring, too, and one of the reasons why I posted my latest discussion in the forum, but I'd like to answer here in yours.
What I see in Scripture regarding faith is that there are those who have faith and those who don't and there are people who are at various levels in between the two facts, such as no faith, faith, little faith, great faith, etceteras.
In 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Paul requests prayer, asking, "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." KJB
We could get into whether or not there's a difference between the words belief and faith, or a difference between faith versus saving faith, but I want to just talk about the difference between the two groups -- those who have faith in God (the saved) and those who don't (the lost).
In context Romans 12:3 is speaking of God's people, to whom God gives varying measures of faith, all the born again believers. It refers refers back to "everyone among you" which is an exclusive group of people.
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." ESV
I found a very good sermon by Charles Spurgeon at the following link. http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1031.htm
It's very long but it addresses the question, How Can I Obtain Faith?
Spurgeon writes:
"What is this faith of which you speak?" and when we assure them that it is a simple trust or confidence in the finished work of Christ, then straightway they say, "How can we get this faith? How can we obtain this confidence?" To us, who have faith, this question is very easy to answer, for when we heard the gladsome news of a finished salvation for lost sinners, complete forgiveness for the guilty, and acceptance for the ungodly, simply upon believing in Jesus we came to Jesus, and we trusted in him, and we continue still to trust, and we have joy and peace through believing. We see far more reasons for belief than for doubt. Yet, nevertheless, there are hundreds and thousands who are awakened, and seriously enquiring, to whom this is a great difficulty—"How can I get the faith which gives me possession of Christ Jesus, and brings me salvation?"
A short synopsis:
Spurgeon maintains, THE WAY BY WHICH FAITH COMES TO MEN. "Faith cometh by hearing."
Then he addresses OBSTRUCTIONS WHICH OFTEN BLOCK UP THIS WAY in which faith comes to people.
He says, "One is a want of intention, by which I mean that many persons come to hear, but they have no wish to be led into faith."
Another reason is "want of attention." He writes, "Sleepy hearers are not likely to be led to faith."
Another is "want of candor" and says, "If a man hears with a prejudiced heart, making up his mind before hand what he will believe, he is not likely to be convinced, he puts himself as far as he can out of the reach of benefit. When the heart rebels against the word: when it says, "If this be true I am living a bad life, and I shall have to give up my pleasures, therefore will not accept it." Well then, faith does not come and cannot come by such hearing. Faith comes by hearing when a man does, as it were, give himself up to the word of God, like a person who is badly wounded and surrenders himself to the surgeon's hand."
Another reason is faith doesn't come by hearing, according to Spurgeon is that the word goes "without any after meditation." He says, "Every juryman, I doubt not, wants to judge righteously. I am sure the sleepy one is not likely to do so, and I am pretty clear that the juryman who is most likely to get at the truth will be the man who, when he gets away from the court, having heard attentively all the time, takes home the notes of the evidence, weighs it, and makes comparisons, and endeavors to sift out the truth."
I'll stop there, but Romans 12:3 is talking about a specific group of people, from what I can see.
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Faith comes by hearing when a man does, as it were, give himself up to the word of God, like a person who is badly wounded and surrenders himself to the surgeon's hand."
I hope that soon I will have this desire in my heart. The desire to give myself up and completely to the word of God. I moved my bible from my coffee table to my bookshelf. Hopefully I will see it there more. I had thought I would see it when I had it in my coffee table shelf but didn't. I mention that because I do realize that since faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God... then my faith wont grow since I haven't been reading.
My excuse is blanking out when I read . Thank yall for helping me.
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