If you deny Christ or lose your faith, is that it?

littlesheep · Dec 5, 2012

Thanks for writing Daniel and for your encouragement and reassurances. I am hoping for 'coincidences' at the moment and trying to be grounded and at the same open....

Rev T.S.Perkins · Dec 5, 2012

I Don't think God works in the realm of coincedence only divine appointment....It's not by chance you found this site or that any of us crossed paths..we have been called to this house of God to uplift,encourage and heal one another so as to grow the body of Christ to a level not seen since past days . A former Glory poured out as the latter rain on us all for His glory....Rev

littlesheep · Dec 11, 2012

Well, I'm just stopping by to say that after I thought God may have spoken to me through reading the bible, I prayed for confirmation from him that it was actually happening (because I had opened the bible randomly and the scripture seemed to relate to me) and that I wasn't just imagining it, but confirmation hasn't come. On top of that I bumped into a man who I used to know through church, and he shared that his wife and he no longer believe and proceeded to tell me all about the reasons he believed Christianity didn't work.

I'm losing heart. At the moment I am beginning to think that its just luck that means you get the right work or study opportunities, or meet the right people who are kind or supportive.

Rev T.S.Perkins · Dec 11, 2012

Wow....it's not by luck you came here to this site it was you seeking and God leading...Again I tell you have courage and press in read judges 6:37 about laying a fleece before God by Gideon ...I think it may apply here...Why is you're faith based on how others feel and not a personal relationship with Christ..ill tell you now if you truly want to throw I the towel ..than bu all means do but know this you can never out run God ....but again you're welcome to try....when you again get tired of no God in you're life He will be waiting ..Grace is waiting for you all you need to do is stop hangin you're head and look up..in His Love ..Rev

DutchChristian · Dec 11, 2012

lilyofthevalley said:
Well, I'm just stopping by to say that after I thought God may have spoken to me through reading the bible, I prayed for confirmation from him that it was actually happening (because I had opened the bible randomly and the scripture seemed to relate to me) and that I wasn't just imagining it, but confirmation hasn't come. On top of that I bumped into a man who I used to know through church, and he shared that his wife and he no longer believe and proceeded to tell me all about the reasons he believed Christianity didn't work.

I'm losing heart. At the moment I am beginning to think that its just luck that means you get the right work or study opportunities, or meet the right people who are kind or supportive.

you are in a very very serious situation, NOW IS THE TIME stop doubting God!

Hosea 5
15 I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early.

i believe GOD is speaking to you here.

Quasicentennium · Dec 12, 2012

One very good example of sin not leading to death is atheism where people want real evidence of Jesus first rather than having the patience of faith of waiting for Christ's Second Coming sometime soon in this 21st century. I believe there is still time to accept Jesus as soon as possible and not procrastinate: not, now - later. Better now than never because Jesus could return while we are fast asleep and our new Christ-transformed minds and bodies would reveal our true intelligence and perfect health in understanding God's Creation, especially the dynamic mini-universe of the atom where every clever Christ-accepted scientist will get a clear understanding of the physics of this mysterious atom's mini-universe where no powerful man-made instrument can measure .;*;. :

DutchChristian · Dec 12, 2012

Quasicentennium said:
One very good example of sin not leading to death is atheism where people want real evidence of Jesus first rather than having the patience of faith of waiting for Christ's Second Coming sometime soon in this 21st century. :

Nonsense!, you better get right with GOD first!

Jesus Christ is GOD and atheism can never be combined with Christ!

you will not make it if you keep on going around in this vanity mind set and your ways that suit your own flesh and pride / ego with all this high minded atheism thinking of yours, repent and believe the Gospel!

you are in error taking the Bible and suiting it anyway you yourself want to and that you're accepting only parts of it is not the way to go!, also you are not in the faith to begin with.

you are in great DANGER!

REPENT and believe the Gospel!

revbrad · Dec 12, 2012

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christ4Ever · Dec 12, 2012

lilyofthevalley said:
Well, I'm just stopping by to say that after I thought God may have spoken to me through reading the bible, I prayed for confirmation from him that it was actually happening (because I had opened the bible randomly and the scripture seemed to relate to me) and that I wasn't just imagining it, but confirmation hasn't come. On top of that I bumped into a man who I used to know through church, and he shared that his wife and he no longer believe and proceeded to tell me all about the reasons he believed Christianity didn't work.

I'm losing heart. At the moment I am beginning to think that its just luck that means you get the right work or study opportunities, or meet the right people who are kind or supportive.

Hello Lillyofthevalley!

Just saw a new post on this thread and finally read your last post which I quote above. The post I had previously decided not to post I did keep and will post below. With no changes, as you'll see because I was still partly sick at the time I wrote this, but you seemed to be doing better with your posting back and foth with Peacekeeper, so did not.

Sadly, it seems you are expecting an "experience" so when one doesn't happen as you imagine it should or how it has happened to others, your feelings of either being left out or that the foundation of your belief in Christ Jesus (Christianity) is false, especially when coupled with the words of the man & woman you used to know. You are living in times where people are either looking for quick fixes or experiences that justify them believing as they believe. The Word of God has taken back seat to this things, and in so doing the very foundation of the Gospel is being discarded for what man believes to be truth and not what God says is truth!

People from the time when Jesus walked on the earth, as "... we would see a sign..." Man always needing something to confirm their faith. What did Jesus tell them. Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

What did he mean by this? Read Matthew 12: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

You know what he was talking about don't you? His was telling them about His own death and resurrection. Yet even this is not enough for people to accept. He knew this and told them so as well. Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Who rose from the dead? You have that right Jesus! Alleluia!

Hey, that's just a story. There's no proof of that. 1 Corinthians 15:4-8 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles [8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Dear little sister. For those who don't want to believe there will always be excuses for not doing so. They'll question, this or that. Notice what the man & woman said. "Christianity doesn't work" It truly has not been tried in total. Keep in mind that this is not the final chapter of what has been written. Many people like those you have spoken with will fall away from the truth of what is written in the Word of God. 2 Timothy 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Even those who were in His presence had their doubts as shown in the following verse. John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.

The fact that you have doubt is not the issue, but that you allow yourself to be pushed from here to there, to every which way is the problem. Do you doubt that Jesus, lived, died, and rose again? If not then why are you so bothered by the need to experience this or that, or that He talk to you outside of the Word of God? Study His Word and grow in knowledge, of what He has already spoken to all of us of. Don't be swayed by the whims of this world, society, man, in what should be. Allow Him to speak to you in what He has already provided to you, and when He knows the time is right, you will hear Him, you will see Him working in all the things in you and around you! There is no doubt that Jesus Lives! He has Risen!

Wow I've almost written a book and still haven't allowed you to read what I've written before. Maybe, as it should be. Stay faithful. When the doubts come up beat them back, with the Words of God! Words are powerful! Just as the words of man, have created doubt in you, so will the Words of God lift you up every higher!!!! It may take a long time, before anything happens in your life that you can all of sudden put your finger on something specific that is happening in your life and say! "Wow" "Thank-you God for showing me the way" or it might be a day, or a week. However long, and lonely, it may become, always remember you are not alone. Hebrews 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Well, with this being long, I feel moved to not add to it.

Stay faithful and stay strong sister! Praying for you.
YBIC
C4E

Rev T.S.Perkins · Dec 13, 2012

REV again...! Ive been hanging back reading the post line ..And i cant seem to find where God has given you reason to doubt all His word says ...HE seeks to show us his will..He runs to meet our need ..He sent His son as a show of Love and care for our needs..And He speaks to our heart through His word....Quit second guessing youreself and God ,,all is not as confusing as the enemy wants you to thank it is .Take two proverbs and call God in the morning.....peace be youres ...Rev

Daniel Symmons · Dec 13, 2012

Do not be deceived, this is spiritual warfare. I know that sounds dramatic and I was sceptical about this concept until I took a positive step of faith and encountered real opposition.

The thing is faith is a gift from God we have to want to receive. We receive it by accepting it; by leaning on faith. Take a step in faith (it can be small or large) but you have to be relying on God and not our own resources. It is I'm afraid like stepping out into thin air but it is there and we feel it's support only if we step onto it. This is hard but it is the may to know Christ. If we pretend we have no need for Him how can we build a relationship with Him?

Keep turning to the bible. Your random text was no coincidence. Spend time in the bible, spend time in pray. Give Christ the opportunity to relate to you for the deceiver is desperate for you to close the door.

Praying earnestly for you!

Daniel

EagercoG · Dec 13, 2012

Hi lilyofthevalley

people seem to get into trouble when they start believing in people instead of the Word of God. The Word says to try all spirits. 1 John 4:1. All the answers are in the Word. God knew all the problems we would run into, so He gave us instructions in His Word on how to deal with these issues. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Alot of people try to understand scripture by studying mans breakdown of the Word. What I would suggest would be asking God to reveal the scriptures through the Holy Spirit = revelation. When you receive revelation of the Word sis no one can lie to you about interpretation. Because God showed you the truth. Don't get me wrong it is very good to fellowship and talk to others who love God. But God wants to reveal these things to you personally. So you know for yourself. Something I would suggest you read is Galatians. I started studying it again today, and for some reason I need reminding of how it is by Gods grace and faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved. Not by us trying to do it ourselves. God is faithful to lead us back sis. He amazes me every time I start to wander off the path of the Spirit of Truth, He lovingly corrects me. You can count on that! I like what I believe Rev said "just try to escape His love" I've done that it doesn't work, thankfully. He loves us too much. Keep fighting sis, He will show you.
Angel

Ps Rev I went and reread what you said. I didn't mean to misquote you. Thats what I retained from your post .

Rev T.S.Perkins · Dec 14, 2012

I'm sorry I misled or gave the wrong impression..my point was you can always walk away from God but life with out God is not worth the living and it puts you in a dangerous postion. .. Singled out from the flock And far from the shepards care....that gets old fast ..! I guess I should have been more Elaborate and less general ..Rev

amadeus2 · Dec 14, 2012

We, all of us, walk through a deep dark valley at times, looking for, hoping to see a Light so bright from God that it blinds us. When it doesn't happen just that way, we may despair, but Jesus always has always given hope to those who looked to Him from the depths of their hearts.

You expressed difficulty in understanding how Jesus spoke about and treated the Pharisees in particular. Consider what Jesus knew (knows) in comparison with what you or I or any one of us here on this forum know. The following verse applies to each and every one of us today who is not already an overcomer of everything standing between himself and God.

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jerem 10:23

How would that verse have applied to the man, Jesus, walking through natural Israel about 2000 years ago? What Jesus had all of the time were two things, which can be available to us: 1) the Word of God, and 2) the Spirit of God. He always had them and He always knew the depths of a man's heart and was able to speak the Word of God even in condemnation against a person who was in error.

We, on the other hand, too often, are unable to discern the depths of a man's heart so we must be cautious about speaking in condemnation of that man. The man may deserve it, but if we do not know (as opposed to thinking or guessing), we had best keep our hands (spiritually speaking) off of them.

Sometimes God may gives us a very specific direction regarding another person's heart. An example of that is Samuel with regard to King Saul. Samuel continued to mourn over Saul's miserable state, but God tells him to stop it. God says that He has rejected Saul as King of Israel (I Sam 16:1) and that now it is time to go out and anoint another to be King of Israel. We may seldom get such specific directions to take our hands off of a person, but when we do, we must simply do it.

So then until told otherwise as in that particular case of Samuel's, we should certainly continuing praying for and even crying over the sad state of another, apparently such as your own biological father. This doesn't mean to sacrifice yourself for his sake. You must do what God wants you to do. This is the answer you need to have: what is it that God wants you do in each event, in each decision that comes before you as you walk through this sometimes seemingly very terrible world?

Scripture has each and every answer that you need in this walk of yours, but the understanding of the scripture will come to you only through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes you will simply seem to be unable to understand what to do next in a given situation. Sometimes, no answer seems to be there. Sometimes you will doubt the very God who created each of us because you do not like His answer or you cannot seem to hear answer from Him. Don't despair! Don't give up!

We do not do all of our living for God by knowledge of Him. We must, yes, must learn to live by faith!

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt 4:4

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

But... what is this word of God? It is certainly contained in written scripture, but remember that even the worst of unrepentant sinners including the hardest hearted atheists can and do read the Bible. The key is the Life giving Spirit of God:

"[God] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." II Cor 3:6

When you don't have what you believe you must have, then ask for it:

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" Matt 7:7

But have a care that you ask in the right manner, (from a place of humilty), and for the right purpose, God's purpose, rather than your own!

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." James 4:1-3

SpiritLedEd · Dec 14, 2012

lilyofthevalley said:
Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

The above seems pretty clear that you can't come back.

Remember that Hebrews was written primarily to First Century Hebrew converts who were under constant pressure to return to Judaism or Judaic practices and I think this scripture refers to those who reverted back to their old ways to appease Jewish family members or associates.

SLE

littlesheep · Jan 12, 2013

Just to let those who were kind enough to pray or post, that I read a book called He Never Let Go which I found interesting - it was about an evangelist who lost faith and then later regained it - and I've just started reading John's gospel.

I've realised that I've had a really big obstacle in my life situation for some time- which is that I am going to have to get a job - but that I can't manage full-time at the moment due to lack of fitness and poor health - but if I just work part-time I will live on the bread-line which is very scary, especially as this could last for a very long time and I don't know realistically if I can ever get back to full-time. The government here has cut help for part-time workers, and its very black and white now - either you're completely unwell and dependent on assistance, or you're fit and expected to manage in full-time employment.

So, to move from assistance to job-hunting is a huge leap of faith for me. To be honest it feels too big. And I realise that over a long time of following Christianity, I didn't really exercise/grow my faith and become more confident that God was there and providing assurance because I rarely took risks. So I'm not sure how, if God grants me faith again, how to get out of this situation without getting very stressed/depressed or giving up. I feel that I need to begin by taking little steps of faith but I don't know what these could be - I wish I had a roadmap of what to do so that I could practise first before having to make such a big change. I realise that this may sound rather pathetic, but its been a very long time since I worked and I have little experience or training so I'm quite daunted.

Also what's in my mind is that in the past a lot of what I thought about following Jesus was head knowledge and theory, and hype. I would be really interested in hearing from others who have learned by experience, especially from getting out of difficult situations, that God answers prayers.

Brad Huber · Jan 12, 2013

Lilyofthevalley, Faith is what pleases the Lord. You cannot please Him at all if you dont take those tiny steps, without asking what will happen when you take those steps, thats the faith part. Step on thin air if thats what the Lord asks and He will provide you a way, even if it means giving you wings. Take the steps of faith. Take them. Take them. Take them!!!

littlesheep · Jan 13, 2013

Brad Huber said:
Lilyofthevalley, Faith is what pleases the Lord. You cannot please Him at all if you dont take those tiny steps, without asking what will happen when you take those steps, thats the faith part. Step on thin air if thats what the Lord asks and He will provide you a way, even if it means giving you wings. Take the steps of faith. Take them. Take them. Take them!!!

Brad, I'm with you for the first sentence, but you lost me after that. I would like to know what steps if faith I'm meant to make now and then when taking them would like to see the results, and grow in confidence in my relationship with God. I appreciate that in saying 'take them' to me you are aiming to be encouraging, but it just feels like pressure and I panic and likely to give up when I see things like that.

Christ4Ever · Jan 13, 2013

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ontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> 2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory forever and ever. Amen.

lilyofthevalley said:
Just to let those who were kind enough to pray or post, that I read a book called He Never Let Go which I found interesting - it was about an evangelist who lost faith and then later regained it - and I've just started reading John's gospel.

I've realised that I've had a really big obstacle in my life situation for some time- which is that I am going to have to get a job - but that I can't manage full-time at the moment due to lack of fitness and poor health - but if I just work part-time I will live on the bread-line which is very scary, especially as this could last for a very long time and I don't know realistically if I can ever get back to full-time. The government here has cut help for part-time workers, and its very black and white now - either you're completely unwell and dependent on assistance, or you're fit and expected to manage in full-time employment.

So, to move from assistance to job-hunting is a huge leap of faith for me. To be honest it feels too big. And I realise that over a long time of following Christianity, I didn't really exercise/grow my faith and become more confident that God was there and providing assurance because I rarely took risks. So I'm not sure how, if God grants me faith again, how to get out of this situation without getting very stressed/depressed or giving up. I feel that I need to begin by taking little steps of faith but I don't know what these could be - I wish I had a roadmap of what to do so that I could practise first before having to make such a big change. I realise that this may sound rather pathetic, but its been a very long time since I worked and I have little experience or training so I'm quite daunted.

Also what's in my mind is that in the past a lot of what I thought about following Jesus was head knowledge and theory, and hype. I would be really interested in hearing from others who have learned by experience, especially from getting out of difficult situations, that God answers prayers.

Hello Lilyofthevalley,
You have much anxiety on the future events that are about to unfold in your life. With the Lord in your life, the awesome part is that you're not alone. From the moment you believed, repented in the Lord Jesus Christ, your aloneness stopped. It may not seem that way at the moment, but it's so very true. (Matthew 28:20 " Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. ")

You are looking at work in the belief that it is a bad thing for you. It should not be! It seems a door is opening up for you that will very well provide you the growth in faith that you've been seeking. You can't expect your faith to grow if you're doing nothing. Faith is action, and not motionlessness. It can be as simple or difficult as heading to the unemployment line (Don't know what they call it in England.) and trusting God will provide you the openings to not only learn how to do the work, but the strength to do it as well. Look to it as a new beginning! An opportunity not only help yourself, but help others as well, by just being that Child of God through Christ Jesus!

Don't look at work as a downer, but something that will strengthen you physically and mentally as well as help grow your faith. In so doing let you know that you're alive! Not just alive, but alive and doing well in the Lord!

Don't look at your short comings, but God's Greatness, because He can do it all, and you and Him all things are possible, and He will provide you the strength to do it. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I use this verse whenever I see myself as being inadequate for a task. I repeat it to myself, and pray for His guidance and help.

Don't be negative to what is happening to you in your life, but look to it as something that will provide you the means to grow, little one, to grow and blossom as God has intended for you all along. Keep praying, and reading His Word. This will help you in the time ahead. Because it confirms that everything that is happening to you is according to His Will, and His Will is perfect!

Most of all don't let those who happen to be down and out bring you down!!!! Remember, they probably don't have the Saving Grace through Christ Jesus! They have reason to be down too, the problem is they probably don't know why, so don't let them get you down or questioning God's work through you.

Praying that God will continue to guide you and open the doors as you step through them that will benefit you the most, even if you don't see it at the time. Trust Him!

Nahum 1:7 The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."
C4E

Brad Huber · Jan 13, 2013

"Faith is what pleases the Lord." is head knowledge, and you readily said that thats what your faith was previously, mostly head knowledge. A philosophy that you seemed to agree with for awhile. I wont pressure you anymore. God doesnt pressure me either. He waits on me to make decisions for or against Him in my daily life. You deserve the same. I dont know enough about your situation to give you good advice about what to do. You are worried about doing something supposedly in faith only to find out it wasnt what the Lord wanted? We all have this situation from time to time. Faith is not about being right. Its not about having your path mapped out ahead of you, with all the pitfalls and Godly things clearly marked for you. Its about doing what you believe to be right...

1. When you know its not against what scripture teaches.... this requires regular self study of scripture and faith that scripture is the word of God.
2. When you "feel" a leading, a pulling, a tugging at your spirit and again it doesnt go against what scripture teaches.
3. Trusting God to provide you the Knowledge you need when you need it and not when you "think" you need it.

These things are faith. If you look at the life of the apostles, they didnt know the outcome of many of thier decisions, but they went on the
basics of what Christ and the Old testament taught them, we must do the same if we wish to follow in thier steps of faith. You are asking to
have everything that the faithful have without exercising your faith, without making it strong. Its like you are asking God to give you strong muscles
because you dont want to exercise to get them. God provides us a spiritual path to take because the physical paths are not the paths that make
our eternal spirit strong.

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