Something is terribly wrong, but I can't seem to put my finger on it.
Is anybody else sensing that something is wrong?
(This being something other than all of the things that are so clearly obvious)
hmmm...i haven't been feeling right lately, but I thought it was just me...??? :-?
America [b]is
[b]The Last Days Of America by David Wilkerson
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=15149&commentView=itemComments
I woke up this morning with the same type of unsettling in my soul. I wondered if there was any place/country on the planet that was really 'at ease.'
I feel as though the whole of global society is teetering and the slightest bump could really set world (can't think of appropriate word) events in turmoil. I believe something we have never seen before is about to happen.
I'm in my senior years but I have never seen such evil and so brazen. Truly good is evil - and evil good in the eyes of the world. If these are not the end times, I could not imagine what they would actually be like.
Safe in the Love of Jesus,
Wayne
Sis Heartsong, I respect you and all of your contributions to this fellowship/forum.
The only way I can explain how I'm feeling of late is to use a sort of analogy.
In each town they have differing siren/alarm system sounds and types for several differing types of warnings or alerts.
In the "church" I feel as though all the alarms are going off at once and it's disconcerting and leading folks to not know 'which' to heed.
Disconcerting seems to fit the feeling best.
I've read other sites where everyone has a dream, vision, word, and sections for these.
One site even has one section for "interpreted dreams" and another section for "not yet interpreted dreams" and then of course, another section for everyone's "words" & "visions".
We're being Overloaded on these things [thankfully not here] but I realized that this is all a [i]"spiritual atmosphere" that is happening in conjunction with the True Warning going out from the HOLY Spirit.
Whenever GOD moves or speaks, of course the enemy will fight it in any way at his disposal.
Back to that town - only one alarm should have been going off - but some pranksters got hold of the switches for all the other alarms and pulled them all as well and the towns folks are blaming the 'Wrong' folks as well, as far as who's pulling the wrong alarms - so "the town" is divided and warring among themselves in the confusion of it all and the maham of hearing all those alarms blaring at once.
I like David Wilkerson's Blog, TSC sermons and listening to a few of Art Katz sermons and only reading from Classic Author's Only. All but the TSC team are safely Home now, so I trust them. Corrie Ten Boom had a peaceful spirit - just for one. Or Jim Elliot, etc.
That's all I need now, outside of only His Word with John 16:13-14.
So yes, I've become very fussy of what I read or listen to.
I'm also preparing for the time when I won't have other Authors to read or listen to.
I hear only one alarm and it's only causing me the peace of closing in more with HIM and being much more fussy about what I allow into my mind or spirit - in preparation for the days to come.
I've had to put in the Holy Spirit "ear plugs" to drown out all of the in-fighting of the town's folks over which alarm is legitimate & the blaming and the sounds of the counterfeit alarms and only hear the one alarm, the one clear clarion call - and not all of the "uncertain sounds".
GOD is not the Author of confusion and gives Peace that passes all understanding and Clear words.
Like when in the boat during that storm - HE 'did' tell the disciples they 'were' going to the other side.
Here's a song I like a lot. See you on the other side. :-)
[i]’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Earlier this evening I went to WalMart and the store was practically empty - that is, except for the Easter isle. It made me sad to see the people searching amongst the stuffed bunnies and the fake eggs.
As I was driving home I looked across the fields dotted with homes and I wondered what it must have been like for the first people coming to America - the wonder of the bounty that the Lord had bestowed upon them. Mile after mile of beautiful golden grain set against magnificent clear blue skies. Rich, fertile, unpolluted soil.
Actually, even in it's current state, the underlying beauty of all that He has provided simply takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes. What an awesome God He is, so gracious and patient and loving - and look what we have done, and how we have treated Him.
But somehow today there is a "new" current. Another change has taken place. "Disconcerting" is a good word for it, but that only describes something that is within, and this is something that is also "without."
What a blessing it is to have brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thank you for the song:
[i]Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
I know what you mean about the beauty of this earth that GOD gave to mankind. Listening to music on youtube, most times they'll use a background of photos of HIS creation. The beauty of mountains, oceans, flowers, animals, babies, etc..
Yes, HE knows and He's not happy about it neither, but when HE's ready - HE'll be back to fix things to even better than it was in Eden.
Rev 11:18 "And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy Name, small and great;
and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth."
But then -
Rev 21:1-7 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
What scares me more are these folks that are yelling for "Peace, Peace" - And the scoffers saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2Pe 3:4
Those are more dangerous than anything or anyone else.
There [i]will
Jesus-is-God,
Thanks for a post written in wisdom. Yes, I believe that running to and fro and reading every dream {every one has one), and the interpretations and thus saith the Lord's is actually meant by the enemy to cause fear amongst the Lord's people.
I rarely read much besides brother Wilkerson's, Leonard Ravenhill's, and Art Katz' solid words prayed through.
Even the headlines we see are preplanned and create the tense fearful "premonitions". God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I had to refrain from many websites and posts because they almost make the Lord Jesus appear unable to control what is happening in the world. The truth, of course, is the opposite.
I am so blessed when I read about King Hezekiah telling the people to not say a word when confronted by the enemy. I believe he was firm, and to be surrounded by the enemy now as they were then, we need to keep our eyes directed towards heaven. We have the media shooting reports and updates and it really affect us if we are not aware of the purpose with which they are realeased to the public.
May the Lord fill us with peace and comfort in all the turmoil.
God Bless
KathleenP wrote:Yes, I believe that running to and fro and reading every dream {every one has one), and the interpretations and thus saith the Lord's is actually meant by the enemy to cause fear amongst the Lord's people.
I rarely read much besides brother Wilkerson's, Leonard Ravenhill's, and Art Katz' solid words prayed through.
Even the headlines we see are preplanned and create the tense fearful "premonitions". God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I had to refrain from many websites and posts because they almost make the Lord Jesus appear unable to control what is happening in the world. The truth, of course, is the opposite.
I am so blessed when I read about King Hezekiah telling the people to not say a word when confronted by the enemy. I believe he was firm, and to be surrounded by the enemy now as they were then, we need to keep our eyes directed towards heaven. We have the media shooting reports and updates and it really affect us if we are not aware of the purpose with which they are realeased to the public.
May the Lord fill us with peace and comfort in all the turmoil.
God Bless
What I've seen is 'confusion & dependency' even more than just fear. Massive confusion out there from both sources as you've stated - the so-called prophetic and the News sources.
I started noticing the News articles contradicting themselves from day to day last Fall and knew something was up with that. They say Newspaper sales are down so much that it's hurting them and how in order to "sell papers" it was always known that Suspense sells.
Whether it's News Sources or these "prophetic" sources - they both work from that dark side to keep folks "dependent" on [i]them
I listened to the sermon from Carter Conlon posted [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=28306&forum=34]here
I've followed David Wilkerson on and off since the mid 70's and never became dependent on him because he points all to Jesus and The Word. The same with Ravenhill, as you said and Art.
That's the 'difference' with them and what we see today. Today it's a free-for-all because of the Internet - though I thank GOD for the proper use of it.
I've sat and watched some of these sites with those "everyone has one" sections and there were more folks on those than on the other sections - "looking for a word" or "one to interpret" [pride]. GOD have mercy. I can't imagine just now getting saved into this mess. The responsibility we owe to young converts is huge. These men & women who went before us - Thank GOD for them and Thank GOD they're [b]here
Thank you so much for your very accurate post and 2 Tim 1:7 .
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus."
Thank-you for the Song "Jesus is Lord."
O for Grace to trust Him More.
God Bless all.
Nellie
I certainly understand feeling "disconcerted".
However, I think before we draw any conclusions, we need to attempt to add quantitative descriptions to what we are feeling.
For instance, a few years ago my wife and children were home during an afternoon tornado warning. At one point, seemingly because of a mothers instincts, she grabbed the little ones up in her arms and ran down into the basement. Just as she shut the door she heard the loud crash of a large tree falling in on the house.
She called me from the basement shaken but fine. I asked her how did she know to run downstairs? In the moment she wanted to attribute her actions to an inward feeling...but after some reflection she remembered. "I suddenly heard what sounded like a rushing train getting louder."
She was reacting to something real and not imagined. That's what true discernment is. Discernment of danger is not the sense of fear or suspicion, but identifying or recognizing the cause of the threat. Discernment is hearing or seeing or smelling something that is as real as a material object, even if it is spiritual in nature.
True discernment is not responding to feelings, but seeing and calling out the object of that danger. In ancient times, a watchman did not call out feelings, but announced the sightings of visible threats. If he sounds the alarm because he 'sensed' something that wasn't there, I'm sure he wouldn't have kept his job for very long. At least that is the way it was, when people needed to be much more practical about the job of a watchman.
This is especially true for leadership. Leaders can never be led by or lead on feelings, even if they term those feelings "discernment".
dunlow64God, if you are feeling disconcerted, there is probably a reason why. You should try to identify and articulate those things, and not the feelings:)
Blessings,
MC
HeartSong wrote:
Something is terribly wrong, but I can't seem to put my finger on it.Is anybody else sensing that something is wrong?
(This being something other than all of the things that are so clearly obvious)
I think the Lord has been giving out plenty of warnings for people to get their houses in order.
Last week I threw out around 200 dvd's I just can't watch secular movies anymore,(I have been meaning to do that for several months now) I kept some family oriented things, but most went into the dumpster. I stopped watching TV around a year ago, I can't watch TV either, except for the news sometimes, my choice...
Judgement is coming, not just to the USA but to every nation on earth. The whore of babylon will fall, but the Bride of the Lamb will rise. How does one prepare for the end of an age that ends with the judgement of God? ...repentance from worldliness and sin.
I know that there are not many that believe in the gift of prophecy, but I will do it anyway even if I take slack for doing so. I wrote this out some time ago and posted it on another forum, to preach repentance, but it is still relevant...even here on this forum.
The Spirit of God is telling His church to repent...be ashamed of your sins and repent.
Have you ever had a prophet prophesy to you? God give us repentence.
Forget signs and wonders...A true move of the Spirit of God calls/leads us to repentence away from sin, a true move of God leads us to humilty of mind and spirit, contriteness, gentleness and purity of heart and soul, and to view each other better then ourselves, and that the love of God that burns in our hearts through the Holy Spirit constrains us to love God with a burning and ravishing love and to love one another. The New Testament teaches us many things about holy living and what God has called us to. It is written that signs and wonders will follow those who believe, not those who believe will follow after signs and wonders. Repentance...Lord lead us to repentance.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me while I am writing this; He is indicting that it is time to purify ourselves and to turn our hearts to God, [b]and to get ready while there is still time;
If I were a prophet I would say (and I say this to myself first and foremost, because this was me and I choose to humble myself and repent, and because I am perhaps the worst possible prodigal son) - Hear the what the Spirit of God is saying to some believers (His church) in this hour, but mostly to me:
The Spirit of the Lord says: Why have you turned away you wicked, from doing righteousness to become evil, and to take so lightly that which I have called you to. You walked so perfectly, and I extolled you, and loved you, and revealed myself to you...what did hinder you so, so that you sinned against me a terrible sin, and have become complacent and worthless and lazy, and worldly, full of sin, bickering, bitterness and strife? - you eat much, but you are not satisfied, you have gained much possesions and are rich, but you are very poor in faith, but you -- you have not been steadfast, nor done the commandments of the Lord, but you have turned away and have not walked in my ways, but have walked in the ways of this world, instead of the ways of the Lord your God.
Humble yourselves, therefore, into the mighty hands of God, and return to me says the Lord, and I will heal your broken heart (that was perfect before me, but now is broken), and I will forgive you for your backslidings and for your sins. Return to me oh wayward one, and repent, and I will bless you with my Holy Spirit, that you should walk in my ways. Walk with me now and repent of your sins, and be holy, for I am holy says the Lord.
Separate yourselves from the world...for the time is short now, and the day is at hand...purify your hearts you double minded and cleanse your hands you sinners and ask for repentance...repent therefore, lest when He comes, He finds you sleeping, and turns and tears you to pieces. Return to the God of your salvation and - Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Turn back, turn back oh you wicked and defiled.
How shall we escape God's judgement, if we neglect so great a salvation and count His Son's sacrifice as unworthy by the works we do, and how we live our lives in this world?
The Jugement of God is about to begin and it begins at the House of God - which must occur before He judges the world. - For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17
Grant us repentance oh God, and remember us according to your mercy, and forgive us for our sins and for our backsliding, and remember them no more; wash us and we will be clean. Allow us the foundation of repentance, and allow us a broken and contrite and humble spirit within us...so that we may repent, so that we may return to you Oh Lord, fully with a pure heart, and with clean and undeflied and holy hands. Grant to us, oh Lord, the gift of your Holy Spirit, and purify us from the world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord - Amen.
God gives grace to the humble, and is near to those who are of a broken and contrite spirit before him. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
To the body of Christ: "hereby we know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit."
HeartSong,
I noticed you wrote your post on Passover.
Yesterday, my soul was heavy. Last night was the night that we remember the betrayal, suffering and death of Christ.
My sister also flew in from North Carolina, and my heart was burdened to share the gospel with her. We sat up until 3 in the morning discussing the Gospel. Oh, how my soul leaps and rejoices at the opportunity to share the Good News with my sister.
I don't want to go onto a tangent, but I guess my encouragement to you is, if something is going to happen, if this is it, let's go out fighting!
Rejoice in the saving grace of our Lord and Savior! "I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see."
Praise God that my heart has been turned to a heart of flesh and my eyes have been opened to the truth of God's Word!
As someone else has already said, "I'll see you on the other side..." :-)
Jesus-is-GOD wrote:
Yes, I believe that running to and fro and reading every dream {every one has one), and the interpretations and thus saith the Lord's is actually meant by the enemy to cause fear amongst the Lord's people.I rarely read much besides brother Wilkerson's, Leonard Ravenhill's, and Art Katz' solid words prayed through.
Why not bring the water to the dry and thirsty places, and stop this hauling water to the sea? Can you not bring the word of God to other christian-forums who are looking for a word of truth to be spoken to them. GO out into the world and preach the message of this gospel...even if they don't want to hear it. Can you do this for the love of humanity or not?
I noticed you wrote your post on Passover.
The Lord has been putting forth signals that I am to "walk away" and not look back. But the problem is that I do not know where He would have me to go and I wonder if I have sufficiently prepared for those that I will be leaving behind. While I have promised Him that all that I am is His, my flesh screams for that which it has always known. It is disconcerting to see that I still have desire for that which I know to be perishing.
Words can not describe the joy and comfort that I have found in my Lord - but others can neither see, or hear, and the crisis is fast approaching. Since my eyes have been opened I have not believed in the rapture - yet recently He has assured me that His beauty and light will prevail and that somehow the pleasure and the pain are the same.
Lately, when I look at others, it is as if they are turtles that have withdrawn into their shells, fearfully peering out and hoping it will all go away. But it will not go away, for the evil has come to stay - and still the people will not pray.
As I wrap myself in His love, my soul is comforted in the knowledge of all that He has shown Himself to be, and my heart is secure in the fact that all that I need is Him.
Brother Earendel, you are quoting the sister I was quoting.
Earendel wrote:
Jesus-is-GOD wrote:
Yes, I believe that running to and fro and reading every dream {every one has one), and the interpretations and thus saith the Lord's is actually meant by the enemy to cause fear amongst the Lord's people.I rarely read much besides brother Wilkerson's, Leonard Ravenhill's, and Art Katz' solid words prayed through.
Why not bring the water to the dry and thirsty places, and stop this hauling water to the sea? Can you not bring the word of God to other christian-forums who are looking for a word of truth to be spoken to them. GO out into the world and preach the message of this gospel...even if they don't want to hear it. Can you do this for the love of humanity or not?
I agree with the sister you quoted from my post.
Brother, could you calm down just a wee bit. We're not your enemies here. We serve HIM. We're Family. You don't know us all yet, so take the time to get to know us first - OK?
I really don't want to join any other forum. I feel safe here with the Classics as our Foundation.
GOD may be calling you there, but please know that some of us 'are' in the ministry and may not have time to twist arms on other forums.
That may very well be your calling - I don't doubt that nor would I ever fault you for that, at all.
HIS PEACE & HIS Love to you! And a smile in Christ from me.
Jesus-is-GOD wrote:
Brother Earendel, you are quoting the sister I was quoting.
Earendel wrote:
Jesus-is-GOD wrote:
Yes, I believe that running to and fro and reading every dream {every one has one), and the interpretations and thus saith the Lord's is actually meant by the enemy to cause fear amongst the Lord's people.I rarely read much besides brother Wilkerson's, Leonard Ravenhill's, and Art Katz' solid words prayed through.
Why not bring the water to the dry and thirsty places, and stop this hauling water to the sea? Can you not bring the word of God to other christian-forums who are looking for a word of truth to be spoken to them. GO out into the world and preach the message of this gospel...even if they don't want to hear it. Can you do this for the love of humanity or not?
I agree with the sister you quoted from my post.
Brother, could you calm down just a wee bit. We're not your enemies here. We serve HIM. We're Family. You don't know us all yet, so take the time to get to know us first - OK?
I really don't want to join any other forum. I feel safe here with the Classics as our Foundation.
GOD may be calling you there, but please know that some of us 'are' in the ministry and may not have time to twist arms on other forums.
That may very well be your calling - I don't doubt that nor would I ever fault you for that, at all.
HIS PEACE & HIS Love to you! And a smile in Christ from me.
I have tried to minister to others in other places.
Here is an example of one those other forums that you alluded to in one of your posts that is a bad place to go...none the less, I shared the gospel there.
I started by reproving some supposed Christians, for railing on a person's past sins. I soon realized that the person had not repented, but looked to justify their sin. In the end, I felt a little ashamed of myself, because I felt I was being too judgmental to this person. In the end, I wish I had a little more of the love of Christ in me when dealing with him. Christ did not exclude Himself from sinners, but died them. The site is down, but lofi version works for reading.
Here is what happened (any words of advice in how I could have dealt with it would be appreciated)
http://www.christian-forum.net/lofiversion/index.php?t28983.html
(any words of advice in how I could have dealt with it would be appreciated)
Same as the advise above. Get to know folks before you post to them. Whether it be a rebuke or an encouragement.
Text communicating for fellowship is the hardest thing on earth. I'm convinced of that and why I say again - take time to get to know the ones you're typing to by reading their other posts first and more. Ask Him to give you the patience & understanding to get to know who you're speaking to and what they believe or are going through, in order to know how to answer - as best as humanly possible in this format.
Very difficult format for getting to "know" folks. Have to keep that in mind - that's all.
His Peace to you always.
Jesus-is-GOD wrote:(any words of advice in how I could have dealt with it would be appreciated)
Same as the advise above. Get to know folks before you post to them. Whether it be a rebuke or an encouragement.
Text communicating for fellowship is the hardest thing on earth. I'm convinced of that and why I say again - take time to get to know the ones you're typing to by reading their other posts first and more. Ask Him to give you the patience & understanding to get to know who you're speaking to and what they believe or are going through, in order to know how to answer - as best as humanly possible in this format.
Very difficult format for getting to "know" folks. Have to keep that in mind - that's all.
His Peace to you always.
Did the Apostle Paul get to know the folks on Mars Hill before he preached to them the gospel? I will obey the Holy Spirit in all things brother.
ive been feeling very strange lately. ive been having these illusions the tv is talking directly to my, and with that it makes me believe that i am Jesus, or even neo (the one) from the matrix.
i also feel that god is tying to break through to me, and i know that hes God, and (i think) when he wants to hell will, but then again i know that it says in the bible today is the day for salvation, so i really dont know whats going on with that one.
i need to go talk to a pastor, although i cant really, i get extremely paranoid in the public eye,
God please break through to me. All of us.
Hi Matt,
Maybe you should lay off of the television - it is one of Satan's favorite tools in the polluting of God's people. Also you need to go outside more - to get fresh air and sunshine - which help in the cleansing of the pollutants. Keep praying for the Lord to break through the fog.
I will be in prayer for you my friend.
MattC - the only way to fight a lie is with The Truth.
First you need to not watch that television.
We are what we feed on.
Just call a lie a lie and call out to GOD by reading His WORD. Whenever one of those lies come to your mind - just call it a lie and quote Scripture.
Jesus Himself Only used Scripture against Satan himself.
None of us have encountered Satan himself but Jesus did and Only used Scripture to defeat those temptations and that lying spirit.
You [b]can
Face your fears head on. Don't give in to "paranoia" but fight it by doing good for others.
Our minds are given freewill which is minute by minute "choices" of what we'll "think and believe".
Please get into the battle mode. Protect yourself from anything secular and get into His Word.
You have our prayers and His Love.
Earendel, you asked that we read a whole thread on that forum and I did and you asked the question of what you could have done differently with that person. I answered and you came back with an apples for oranges reply.
What I only have left to say now is, if I [i]were
Take care in the things of GOD.
Moderation is the key to living in this present age. We say we throw out the TV, but something is going to take it's place and it's not going to be the bible or reading the word, lets not kid ourselves. God weans us off of this world little by little so that each part of our being is established and seasoned with grace. We are creatures of habit and regular routines is what we like. The internet is a huge industry and by just one click I can get into all kinds of clixxs, so what we have done is we have just exchanged one thing for another. For many of us, food will take the place of that bad habit and then we'll become gluttons, hate ourselves for it and mope around for several years until we muster enough strength to get rid of it. I hear and see this stuff all the time, and anyone that says otherwise, your fooling yourself or your the exception to the rule or you've gone through the above and is now ready to wise up.
It takes a long time to get settled into moderation, a long time. When we got saved, we had more hang ups then sinners did. What a mess of habits, faults and quirks. But God is faithful to straighten out the mess. And during this time of cutting away there will be times that we do revert back to that comfort food, that comfort blanket, that show or whatever. It ain't easy. But I have also found in my journey that we don't stay there long, we continue on the trek. And I thank God for His Grace. Without it, were doomed. The first failure I would have been stoned to death. I am thankful for the death burial and resurrection to which our Christ has brought these things to us that we may grow thereby.
Moderation is the key to living in this present age. We say we throw out the TV, but something is going to take it's place and it's not going to be the bible or reading the word, lets not kid ourselves.
Where is this in the Bible? This is horrible counsel, with all due respects. I never read anything remotely like this in the New Testament.
Do we say to the theif - to start off by just stealing less each week and if you stop stealing - be sure something else will take that sin's place?
How do you know that if someone stops TV that they won't go to their Bible?
Moderation? What of the alcoholic that gets saved? Do you tell him this same philosophy?
We grow into His nature progressively and not over-night - but to say a human being cannot resist turning the TV on without some other sin taking it's place is sheer error. And to say that we need "moderation" instead of "cesstation" of these things is not Biblical neither.
Did you read Mack's plea?
I find your post purely secular and not sound Biblical guidance.
We grow in the fruit of the spirit and the below from what Peter mentions ... but most of these foolish time wasters CAN be cut off without "withdrawls" that need some other sin to take it's place. Where you got all of what you posted DeepThinker did not come from the Bible.
Do we gradually stop all sins? I should say not and I'm not a legalist. Most sins of the flesh can be stopped. "Exchanging" one sin for another is "human nature". Where is that in your Bible?
Try Cesstation of catering to the flesh and not that "moderation & exchanging" of sin theory and you'd see growth by leaps and bounds.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
I have to add this. Pride is the root of all sin. Loving self more than GOD.
Pride or self says - "I deserve this" ... whatever "this" is for any of us.
The deep love for and fear of GOD is the only antidote to this pride / self controling thing that humanists call "human nature" and allowing ourselves to be washed by the cleansing of The WORD.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing The WORD of GOD - also Jesus' Name is The WORD of GOD - "The Living Word."
For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12
Praying Psalm 119 is a good place to start as well.
With prayer.
Only a religious mind would come to this conclusion and reasoning. People that have read what I posted know full well that what I said is true. Those, like yourself seemed to have not "been there", so it doesn't apply to you, move on to the next post Brother!Do we say to the thief - to start off by just stealing less each week and if you stop stealing - be sure something else will take that sin's place?
It's easy to quote the bible. Purging of one's sins is not easy. There is a lot of ups and downs. Oh, when you start out in this faith, you have the bull by the horns, you feel great, your standing for the truth (we think we are). Until one day, BAM, God knocks the wind out our sails and brings us down to a low place to teach us some things about Himself. Teaching us that if we want to be great like Him, we must first humble ourselves as a servant. That is a humbling experience, and it ain't easy. Quote the bible, blah blah blah, quoting it means nothing unless the Spirit is quickened and makes it alive in you.
People know what I am talking about, it's to them that I post this. This is for us milk guzzlers.
This conversation reminded me of Mark 2:22. So I looked in Matthew Henry's commentary (I know he is just a man, so his words are not Scripture, but I give them some weight). He says:
2. That these were early days with them, and they were not so able for the severe exercises of religion as hereafter they would be. The Pharisees had long accustomed themselves to such austerities; and John Baptist himself came neither eating nor drinking. His disciples from the first inured themselves to hardships, and thus found it easier to bear strict and frequent fasting, but it was not so with Christ's disciples; their Master came eating and drinking, and had not bred them up to the difficult services of religion as yet, for it was all in good time. To put them upon such frequent fasting at first, would be a discouragement to them, and perhaps drive them off from following Christ; it would be of as ill consequence as putting new wine into old casks, or sewing new cloth to that which is worn thin and threadbare, v. 21, 22. Note, God graciously considers the frame of young Christians, that are weak and tender, and so must we; nor must we expect more than the work of the day in its day, and that day according to the strength, because it is not in our hands to give strength according to the day. Many contract an antipathy to some kind of food, otherwise good, by being surfeited with it when they are young; so, many entertain prejudices against the exercises of devotion by being burthened with them, and made to serve with an offering, at their setting out. Weak Christians must take heed of over-tasking themselves, and of making the yoke of Christ otherwise than as it is, easy, and sweet, and pleasant.
I do agree with limiting the exposure to TV and increasing the exposure to the Word of God. Praise Jesus that you are aware of the state of your soul. Cling to Him, seek to get as close to Him as you can. He can and will save you.
white stone
There certainly is a lot of wrong we can think of right off the bat. I remember when the September 11th events were taking place, and that early part of the day, I had such an overwhelming burden that I had to find a outlet some place other than the street that I was on to allow the Holy Spirit to express His desire through me. I remember weeping uncontrollably and kept wondering why I was weeping, and I knew it was not for me. When I got home, the events that unravelled were devastating.Something is terribly wrong, but I can't seem to put my finger on it.
There is a plan in motion to harass the Christian, the policies that are being made in America is not for the betterment of society, but to corner the true believer. For example, Obama wants to remove the "conscience clause" so that no physician will turn any one seeking abortion. That would be just the beginning. If they have their way with this bill, Gays will push for those who have a conviction that homosexuality is wrong to be targeted.
Is there something amiss? I think so!
Php 4:5 [i]Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
[b]Php 4:5 -
Let your moderation be known unto all men
[b]The Lord is at hand
Albert Barnes
[i]Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1Co 8:7-12
This post is what we were addressing.
ive been feeling very strange lately. ive been having these illusions the tv is talking directly to my, and with that it makes me believe that i am Jesus, or even neo (the one) from the matrix.i also feel that god is tying to break through to me, and i know that hes God, and (i think) when he wants to hell will, but then again i know that it says in the bible today is the day for salvation, so i really dont know whats going on with that one.
i need to go talk to a pastor, although i cant really, i get extremely paranoid in the public eye,God please break through to me. All of us.
A wonderful exposition brother Mike, nicely put.Php 4:5 - Let your moderation be known unto all men - That is, let it be such that others may see it. This does not mean that they were to make an ostentatious display of it, but that it should be such a characteristic of their lives that it would be constantly visible to others. The word “moderation” - ἐπιεικὲς epieikes - refers to restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses. The word properly means that which is fit or suitable, and then propriety, gentleness, mildness - They were to indulge in no excess of passion, or dress, or eating, or drinking. They were to govern their appetites, restrain their temper, and to be examples of what was proper for people in view of the expectation that the Lord would soon appear.
HeartSOng,
I do not have time to read all the replies to this question, but have been thinking about it since I first saw it...
Things are bad out there, always have been but it seem to have accelerated much in recent time and folks feel like they are being run over by a steam roller. Now I am wondering if you are in a process of experiencing a personal revival? Revival happens when sin becomes exceedingly awful, repulsive because you are experiencing a new sense of the holiness of God. And the devil is saying "BOO!" and you jump!
There are two scriptures that come to my mind. One is in Ecclesiastes 7:10: Do not say, 'Why is it that the former days were better than these? For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.' (NASB) The other one is Luke 21:28: 'And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.' (KJV)
Now we would believe Jesus return could be soon, real soon, and our hearts are grieved with loved ones who have spurned the LORD so how are we to react? The bottom line is each and every person has to make that choice, God will not force anyone to love him and that convicting people of their sin is the work of the Holy Spirit. For me, while I pray for loved ones' salvation, I also pray that I would not interfere in that process because I am by nature impatient, I want things done yesterday, including spiritual growth.
This is my understanding of this issue...
BTW: mind if I share something strange that happened here in our community in February? We live in a very small own of 1000 people. Anyhow, one day in February, I heard a very loud noise outside. I was in the house and I ran to the front, wondering if an airplane is going to crash into it? This loud sustained noise came from the south. I looked outside, saw nothing. I also wondered whether it may be the trumpet but then I did not hear a shout so I knew it was not Jesus return. This noise was heard over town and out of town. Some speculated it may have come from blasting done by a road construction crew 80 miles to the north but I disagree - this sound was sustained not a loud boom. Anyhow, this sound happened later at night. No one still knows the source. But I had to think of what Jesus said about signs in the sky that would precede his coming...whatever it was, it sure made people think! If it succeeded in doing that, it served a useful purpose.
Blessings,
ginnyrose
Now I am wondering if you are in a process of experiencing a personal revival?
It was not too long ago that I was "vived," and I continually pray that I don't come into a condition of needing to be "revived," so I don't think that is what is happening. I must admit however, that these days are trying. At times I have trouble containing myself from being too happy, and at other times I find myself drooping under the burdens of others. It is also quite clear that Satan is working overtime as he is continually bringing forth new weapons of deception.
I am pretty sure that the problem was that it was Passover, which I was unaware of until fuehrerbe21 brought it to my attention.
God bless you ginnyrose.
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