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Post by Misherellu on Jun 23, 2018 17:46:45 GMT -5
So, tlsitd offered some pretty good advice on following the Lord, he stated, That's some pretty good advice!  And also, I read up on the WORD. My question, however, is this: how do I keep God's law via the Holy Spirit rather than in my own efforts? Because I already feel burned out spiritually and emotionally..how do I depend upon J.C.? Also..I'm worrying about my righteousness, and I'm having a hard time praying, b/c I'm not so sure anyone is listening on the other side of the line.. |
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Post by Misherellu on Jun 23, 2018 17:50:02 GMT -5
I can sense the world around me..and that's why I struggle around with worldliness and fleshliness. But about the Spirit..IDK what it means to rely on God..help? I'm having trouble with prayer because I am doubting if there is anyone else on the other side of the line..
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Post by tlsitd on Jun 23, 2018 19:28:56 GMT -5
I can sense the world around me..and that's why I struggle around with worldliness and fleshliness. But about the Spirit..IDK what it means to rely on God..help? Well if you're feeling burned out, you're probably not relying on the Lord, but on your own strength. If you're obsessing over every thought you think, panicked about making a mistake or forgetting something you've read, obsessing over doing everything just right---that's not the way things should be if you're obeying the Lord in His strength and by His guidance. I'm not saying it's effortless and that you shouldn't be mindful of what you've read or consider what you do, but you should have the mentality of relying on Jesus to direct you to do what is pleasing to Him and of Him enabling you to do it as you go about your business, rather than thinking about yourself having to do everything just so and having to control everything within you in order to perfect yourself by human willpower. (The Holy Spirit doesn't make people obsessive or anxious in a neurotic way, so if that's how you're feeling, it's probably because you're doing what you're doing in your own strength rather than in His.) So my suggestion is, not to fret yourself unnecessarily---which will lead you to discouragement (which is what the demons want, not God), but to pray and ask Jesus to help you to live according to His commands and do what pleases Him, and to supply you with His grace, and with the knowledge of His will, in order to do that. Then trust Him to do it. And if you feel yourself being lured toward unrighteous thoughts or desires, pray for Him to help you to resist them and to put them to death. Don't focus on the world or on yourself so much; focus on the Lord---what He wants and how He is, and seek to do and be the same in your conduct and attitudes, asking Him to help you to do this and reading His word to remind yourself of what you are to be and of what God wants. ...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7) If you're not sure about whether something is pleasing to the Lord or not, stop and think about it, and pray about it. If you don't have peace in your spirit about it, don't proceed. God will give you peace about the things that are pleasing and acceptable to Him; and learning to discern whether you have that peace is an important practice to hone, because Jesus guides us by that in matters of personal faith, so that we can know His will. It takes practice to get used to doing, but eventually becomes second nature, just like walking. (And it is learning to walk---learning to walk by faith.) (And remember, God will never give us peace about doing something that contradicts the commands of the New Testament. So if you think you're getting peace from God about something that contradicts what He says in His word, you can know it's a false peace and not from Him.) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8) |
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Post by John on Jun 25, 2018 1:16:07 GMT -5
I can sense the world around me..and that's why I struggle around with worldliness and fleshliness. But about the Spirit..IDK what it means to rely on God..help? I'm having trouble with prayer because I am doubting if there is anyone else on the other side of the line..
I don't want to complicate things too much for you here about living a life pleasing to God. Just do your best throughout the day to make right choices. When you are faced with things you know are not right, don't do them. It is no more complicated than that. It can be tiresome, constantly fighting against the desires of the flesh. It is a battle. You are used to just doing as you please, and now you are having to consider how your actions will be seen by God. When you are in a battle, it will wear you out. Just do your best, and if you happen to fail and do something you know you shouldn't have, rather than run from God, go to him, and confess what you did wrong and ask his forgiveness, and for his strength not to repeat the same mistake in the future.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
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Post by ladypeartree on Jun 25, 2018 6:50:38 GMT -5
My grandmother once told me " If you wouldn't want to/would be ashamed to do something in front of me then you shouldn't do it Same thing with what you are struggling with If you wouldn't want God to know you did it/are doing it then it is wrong As for not knowing if there is someone on the other end ….. you leave messages on answer machines without expecting to hear an instant reply even when you ( if you are like me ) feel foolish doing so because you know that eventually you will get a reply to your call God is way easier to talk to than an answering machine and He hears you as you call even if you don't hear His instant reply
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Cletus
Senior Member
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Cletus on Jun 25, 2018 19:23:34 GMT -5
those who ask... it will be given... those who seek... they will find.... those who knock.... the door will be opened unto them.
first you ask. if you think its being unheard then you seek. You keep looking for it in life and in prayer. if still nothing you knock. Go beat on the door until it opens.
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Post by Abby-Joy on Jun 26, 2018 22:13:59 GMT -5
So, tlsitd offered some pretty good advice on following the Lord, he stated, That's some pretty good advice! And also, I read up on the WORD. My question, however, is this: how do I keep God's law via the Holy Spirit rather than in my own efforts? Because I already feel burned out spiritually and emotionally..how do I depend upon J.C.? Also..I'm worrying about my righteousness, and I'm having a hard time praying, b/c I'm not so sure anyone is listening on the other side of the line..
Romans 7:13-25
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
In my humble opinion, sister ... just rest from your labors (works/efforts) and go back to the foundation of love .... simply love Him who first loved you! When we are worried or burdened down with whether we're good enough it is because we've gotten our eyes off Jesus and onto ourselves. When our eyes are fixed back on Him, and we just seek Him ... everything else falls into place.
Rest.... read Hebrews chapter 4. It says that we enter into His rest through believing on Christ. Remember, when He was on the cross... He said, "It is finished!" He did what we could not do. Rest in knowing this... rest in the fact that He loves you and just love Him back! When we love Him, everything else comes into perspective.
We will never be good enough ... we cannot and must not ever trust in our own ability to be good. The Word of God says that there is none good but God (Mk 10:18; Mt 19:17), and that our righteousness is as filthy rags! When our faith is off ourselves, and placed in Christ where it belongs, we are clothed with His righteousness.
There's an old southern gospel song I love to refer to sometimes... John probably knows this one! The chorus goes like this... "When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb. He sees me as worthy, and not as I am. He views me in garments as white as the snow. For the Lamb of God is worthy, and He washed me - this, I know!" (The McKameys)
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Post by Misherellu on Jun 29, 2018 15:05:41 GMT -5
@abby-Joy Great advice! But what does seeking His love have to do with planning for the day? (I'm pretty lonely with no plans with friends, lol, I'm too scared that they're worldly) And..to rest means that to rest in the fact that He loves me, no matter what? |
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Post by Misherellu on Jun 29, 2018 15:07:28 GMT -5
@butrero I understand to hear from God, one has to get away from worldly desire. But what is godly desire? What should I focus my day around for rather than shopping and buying anime stuff? |
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Post by John on Jun 29, 2018 15:19:32 GMT -5
@butrero I understand to hear from God, one has to get away from worldly desire. But what is godly desire? What should I focus my day around for rather than shopping and buying anime stuff?
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Post by Misherellu on Jun 29, 2018 15:28:49 GMT -5
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Post by John on Jun 29, 2018 15:41:59 GMT -5
There is no sin in having a hobby, like collecting things. There must e a reason you are questioning this. What is it?
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Post by Misherellu on Jun 29, 2018 17:02:36 GMT -5
@butrero because these objects please my flesh and the lust of my eyes and don't spiritually advance me
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Post by John on Jun 29, 2018 17:17:25 GMT -5
Perhaps you should look for things to occupy your time that fulfil those spiritual needs that you have. Spend time in the Bible. Maybe you could try to memorize Bible verses. You could get a Bible Trivia game and try to learn that way? You could buy Bible tracts and hand them out to strangers. You could do volunteer work at a local ministry to the poor. I am not the type person that feels like you can't do anything that is fun to you, but given what you just said about anime, you definitely are being convicted about it by God, so I would avoid that. It seems like you are telling me you are not feeling fulfilled, and I think volunteer work at a ministry, or anywhere that you come in contact with people would give you opportunities to share the Lord with people and do good works.
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Post by Misherellu on Jun 29, 2018 20:39:15 GMT -5
Okay, guys, because I feel like I'm cursed..and I don't know what sin I'm committing!
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And also, I read up on the WORD. 
