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Several years ago I had a dear Christian friend pray with me, she explained, that I needed to know who I was in Christ. She was a survivor of childhood sex abuse and had overcome her demons. I am also a survivor and still struggle with the same hurts and fears that I did back then, I've not over come a whole lot and feel frustrated. I have tried I have grown close and then fallen away for a while. I know God is patient but he surely doesn't like a roler coaster ride either. I do not trust myself, I know God can... I trust him but I don't trust myself, he is working with a pretty ugly vessel with me. I know all have fallen short, so I'm not worse or better than the next person.
I am on the road back. I just completed 4 years of college, my therapist felt I needed the confidence that college would give, and I need to add to the finances of this house. My marriage is not the greatest either. I know the Lord opened the doors which allowed me to keep my grades and graduate with high honors. I also know that book knowledge doesn't fill my heart with what it really needs... and that is a relationship with Jesus Christ. The last four years were suppose to give me self confidence but as much as I am excited to be a teacher, I found the last 4 years was a diversion from what I REALLY need too.

My question is this "What does it mean to know who you are in Christ?" Silly maybe, but I struggle with this, lack of trust, not understand what true love is, my past all plays a part in my road to finding Christ the way he wants me too.  What is does it mean?  How does a person go about finding out who they are in Christ. Sure the scriptures tells us many things but it must go from head knowledge to heart knowledge and although most of you can give me direction to the scripture how does a person go about getting it to the inside, and believing it?   

Blessings,
Musicllover

A little something that may help answer this question.


Who are you in Christ? Who do you say you are? Do you say you’re a loser, defeated, a reject, unwanted? A failure? Who you really are is who God says you are. Who does God say you are? If you have given control of your life to Christ, this is who you are:

    * I am a child of God (John 1:12)
    * I have peace with God (Rom.5:1)
    * The Holy Spirit lives in me (1Cor.3:16)
    * I have access to God's wisdom (Jam.1:5)
    * I am helped by God (Heb.4:16)
    * I am reconciled to God (Rom.5:11)
    * I am not condemned by God (Rom.8:1)
    * I am justified (Rom.5:1)
    * I have Christ's righteousness (Romans 5:19; 2 Cor.5:21)
    * I am Christ's ambassador (2Cor.5:20)
    * I am completely forgiven (Col.1:14)
    * I am tenderly loved by God (Jer.31:3)
    * I am the sweet fragrance of Christ to God (2 Cor.2:15)
    * I am a temple in which God dwells (1 Cor.3:16)
    * I am blameless and beyond reproach (Col.1:22)
    * I am the salt of the earth (Matt.5:13)
    * I am the light of the world (Matt.5:14)
    * I am a branch on Christ's vine (John 15:1,5)
    * I am Christ's friend (John 15:5)
    * I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit (John 15:6)
    * I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing his inheritance with him (Rom. 8:17)
    * I am united to the Lord, one spirit with him (1 Cor.6:17)
    * I am a member of Christ's body (1 Cor.12:27)
    * I am a saint (Eph.1:1)
    * I am hidden with Christ in God (Col.3:3)
    * I am chosen by God, holy and dearly loved (Col.3:12)
    * I am a child of the light (1Thess.5:5)
    * I am holy, and I share in God's heavenly calling (Heb.3:1)
    * I am sanctified (Heb.2:11)
    * I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (1 Pet.2:5)
    * I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession and created to sing his praises (1 Pet.2:9-10)
    * I am firmly rooted and built up in Christ (Col.2:7)
    * I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
    * I have the mind of Christ (1Cor.2:16)
    * I may approach God with boldness, freedom, and confidence (Eph.3:12)
    * I have been rescued from Satan's domain and transferred into the kingdom of Christ (Col.1:13)
    * I have been made complete in Christ (Col.2:10)
    * I have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim.1:7)
    * I have been given great and precious promises by God (2Pet. 1:4)
    * My needs are met by God (Philip.4:19)
    * I am a prince (princess) in God's kingdom (John 1:12; 1 Tim.6:15)
    * I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God (1Cor.6:19,20)
    * I have been adopted as God's child (Eph.1:5)
    * I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph.2:18)
    * I am assured that all things are working together for good (Rom.8:28)
    * I am free from any condemning charges against me (Rom.8:31f)
    * I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35f)
    * I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2Cor.1:21,22)
    * I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected (Philip.1:6)
    * I am a citizen of heaven (Philip.3:20)
    * I am a personal witness of Christ's (Acts 1:8)
    * I am God's coworker (2 Cor.6:1, 1 Cor.3:9)
    * I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Eph.2:6)
    * I am God's workmanship (Eph.2:10)
    * I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength I need (Philip.4:13)

The following thread may also help:

http://forums.christiansunite.com/index.php?topic=11745.0

Hello Musicllover,

Some of these might be repeats, but I want to share them:
_______________________________________


I am the salt of the earth.

Matthew 5:13 NASB  "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

I am the light of the world.

Matthew 5:14 NASB  "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

I am a child of God.

John 1:12 NASB  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

I am Christ's friend.

John 15:15 NASB  "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

I am God's gift to Christ.

John 17:24 NASB  "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

I am made right in God's sight by faith.

Romans 5:1 NASB  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

I am at peace with God.

Romans 5:1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

I am in the place of highest privilege and joyfully look forward to becoming all that God has in mind for me.

Romans 5:2 NASB  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

I am rejoicing in troubles, for through them God is building me up and making me strong.

Romans 5:3-5 NASB  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I am reconciled to God.

Romans 5:10 NASB  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

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I am a receiver of God's grace that far supersedes my worst sin.

Romans 5:20 NASB  The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

I am dead to sin and alive to God.

Romans 6:11 NASB  Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

I am a recipient of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 NASB  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am free of condemnation.

Romans 8:1 NASB  Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

I am free from the vicious cycle of sin and death.

Romans 8:2 NASB  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father.

Romans 8:14-15 NASB  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

Galatians 3:26 NASB  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:6 NASB  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

I share in Christ's inheritance.

Romans 8:17 NASB  and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

I am protected. Who can ever be against me?

Romans 8:31 NASB  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

I am inseparable from God's love.

Romans 8:35 NASB  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

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I am more than a conqueror through Christ.

Romans 8:37 NASB  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

I am God's dwelling place. His Spirit and life dwells in me.

1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB  Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

I am united to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:17 NASB  But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

I am a member of Christ's Body - the CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 12:27 NASB  Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.

Ephesians 5:30 NASB  because we are members of His body.

I am adequate for anything because my adequacy comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB  Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

I am a saint.

Ephesians 1:1 NASB  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing.

Ephesians 1:3 NASB  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

I am forgiven of all my sins.

Ephesians 1:7 NASB  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

I am God's workmanship - His handiwork.

Ephesians 2:10 NASB  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

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I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family.

Ephesians 2:19 NASB  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,

I am righteous and holy in CHRIST. We will be perfected in CHRIST.

Ephesians 4:24 NASB  and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

I am a citizen of heaven.

Ephesians 2:6 NASB  and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Philippians 3:20 NASB  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

I am strong in the Lord to fight off all of Satan's attacks.

Ephesians 6:10-17 NASB  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 NASB  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I am filled with God's power that works mightily in me.

Colossians 1:29 NASB  For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

I am complete in Christ, filled with God, possessor of everything.

Colossians 2:10 NASB  and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

I am a son or daughter of light and not of darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 NASB  for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;

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I am adequate, complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:17 NASB  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

I am able to come boldly before the throne of grace to find mercy and grace.

Hebrews 4:16 NASB  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns.

1 John 3:1-2  See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

I am loved.

Revelation 1:5 NASB  and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--

Romans 5:8 NASB  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

I am victorious.

Revelation 21:7 NASB  "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

(My Note:  I have adapted part of the above from an unknown author. Please add to this beautiful list of things that we have in CHRIST. NOW: smile - LOOK UP - and always remember to give thanks that you are a child of the KING.)

Hello Musicllover,

I think that it's a must for us to keep things in perspective. All Christians have been wronged in many ways by others in this short life. BUT, this world is no longer our master, and our eternal inheritance isn't of this world.

We have placed our trust and faith in one who has never wronged us or lied to us. JUST THE OPPOSITE - HE loved us enough to take our place and die on the CROSS for us. HIS WORDS are always TRUE, CERTAIN, AND AMEN! Our doubts are in men and the things of this world - NOT HIM! HIS LOVE can't be compared to what people call love in this world. Just a start is HIM dying for us. This is a REAL LOVE that's PURE, CLEAN, HOLY, AND ETERNAL!

We need to make JESUS CHRIST the core and central focus of our lives. HE will never disappoint us, and HE'S gone on before us to prepare a place for us for ETERNITY! It is good that we KNOW this short life is NOT all there is. We are just here for a short period of time, and we MUST KNOW this world IS NOT OUR HOME! We MUST put things in perspective and KNOW that OUR CITIZENSHIP is in HEAVEN - not this world! Our government is NOT IN THIS WORLD! Our government is ETERNAL, PERFECT, HOLY, AND LOVING! Everything here is this short life is temporary. Our REALITY AND HOME IS NOT THIS WORLD.

As Children of the KING OF KINGS, we should know that GOD would like to work in us and through us to help bring others to HIMSELF. Much of our REAL happiness and joy in this short life depends on how much we yield to GOD and do HIS WILL. HIS WILL is always perfect for us, and HIS PATHS do result in JOY. This doesn't hint that this short life will be easy. HIS WORD tells us that this short life will be hard, a fight, and a race. We each have a course that GOD wants us to follow and finish. This is a most reasonable service to HIM, and it should be done with loving hearts of appreciation for what HE has already done for us. We MUST always remember that HE pulled us out of a dark pit of misery when we were bound for the pits of hell. ALL GLORY MUST GO TO HIM! ALL WORSHIP AND PRAISE MUST GO TO HIM! HE commands this, and it is quite reasonable for HIM to make these commands. First, HE is our CREATOR! Second, HE is our SAVIOUR!

Many of our problems start to vanish when we make JESUS CHRIST OUR "ALL IN ALL". We should already know many things about HIM:

1 - Men lie, but GOD doesn't.

2 - Men can't be trusted, but GOD can.

3 - Men are weak and known for frequent failures. GOD is the exact opposite.

In short, even the things in this short life can be MUCH BETTER for Children of the KING OF KINGS! HE didn't promise us that this short life would be easy, rather the opposite. BUT, HE made many promises for ETERNITY that will be kept most perfectly. We belong to HIM now, and we MUST remember that this short life is like a visit to a foreign land that isn't our home. WE ARE GOING HOME ONE DAY!

Love In Christ,
Tom


 

WOW ... Pastor Roger... this was great.  Copying and pasteing.

Pastor Rogers,
                  Thanks for the Scriptures, right now I must think about how to respond.  I seem to have a hard time putting it all into words. I guess right now its something that I need to pray about. There is something going on inside of me, it simply makes me want to scream with frustration, because I know what the Scriptures say. 
I will continue to seek his will, and use the scriptures you have so generously given me. If you think about it pray that God can take away what he wants and put in what he needs as I go through this..., this  ??? what ever this is. There is much I must weed through to work this out. 

Yes, sister I will be praying for you.

musiclover

Let me first state that I will be praying for you.

Let me also state that there is nothing in which "you" must weed through....there may be much that you and Jesus must weed through....cause if you go at with just an "I" in mind then you will fail.  But if you go at it with "we" in mind then you are bound to succeed.  There is but one thing in which we Christians should do with an "I" mentality...and that is go into prayer :)

AMEN!

Brother Jerry,
                You are absolutely right, never would I try to pray through this with out the leading of the Holy Spirit. I am finding it is one thing to know the scriptures that are written on paper and being able to apply them to myself. I believe this is something I have lacked for as long as I have been a Christian, going through the motions, attending every meeting, praying and reading, I have longed for, cried for and have had a heart felt desire to draw closer to Jesus, and I was never able to break through this unseen wall, it seems what I desire is only a stones throw away, so close but tearfully so far away.  I want victory, I want to know what it is to have a deeper relationship with Jesus after I faced the abuse. I want a relationship that has all my past exposed, the truth and not hidden or forgotten. So I am finding it very difficult to put into words and very hard to explain.  I'm not sure how to wrap my past around a forgiving God, part of this is forgiving my abusers, which I work on in bits and pieces every day, I suppose I will for the rest of my life. But now how do I take the ugly of the past and intermingle it with who I am suppose to be in Christ. Does this make sense? I have read the word, I know David did wrong things and was forgiven, Paul killed.... and on the list goes but each found forgiveness, and I want that too. I am just needing to work through this, and as much as I hate my past abuse I know it is part of who I am today, and it can be used by God to bring him glory. It is trying to figure out how all this comes into who I am in Christ, and just what am I suppose to do with it. I was called to a music ministry several years ago, like the parable of the talents I want to use this gift to glorify God. I want to walk in my calling, and not sure how this all comes together. I need so many things I DO NOT want to use God like a genie in a bottle either. I commit this to him.

Everyone has posted some wonderful Scriptures and thoughts.

To know who we are in Christ is to simply know that we are righteous and accepted by God through Christ.  We do not need to do anything to gain God's love and acceptance.  (This was taught when I was at Bible college.)

All too often we struggle with our past. We struggle with the idea that we may not be forgiven because of our past. We struggle with following the word of God. We struggle wanting a closer relationship with Christ. If we but stop struggling and let God work in and through us we could achieve all this and more. There is an old saying that does apply. "Let go and let God." We must let go of those things that are haunting us in our past, stop struggling with them and give them completely over to God. Let Him deal with those things for us.

When we struggle then we are actually trying to take care of those things ourselves instead of trusting in God to do as He says He will do. We bind our lives in those things.

How do we quit struggling and let God do the work? We turn to Him in prayer, handing those things we have struggled with over to Him, asking Him to take care of them, to heal our hurts and anguish. Then we let go of them.

 

Pastor Rogers,
I know all these things, I've read them or heard them and agree with them in part.  It isn't as simply as letting go and letting God. Don't take this the wrong way but is that a Scripture or just a cliche' because I don't understand it and I don't know how. I sound bitter, and resentful, and I don't want to be, I know prayer is the place to begin, and to continue in but saying then we let go... well makes it sound too easy. Isn't there more to it than simply letting go.... cause I think I've let go a million times. Of coarse your going to tell me I never really let it go or I wouldn't be dealing with it all again. Which may be be true, I can honestly say, letting God have my past, that is a hard call for me I have only come to understand it myself in the last few years. Its ugly, its not something you want your Lord to see, (even though he knows already) the idea of standing before God some day is unbarable and so shameful. 

I don't intend to argue or sound disbelieving but I have prayed, many many times.

I've not gotten to do alot with the scriptures you have offered, but I will, my PC is in the shop and when I get it out I can make a copy of them and begin looking them over each day. From head knowledge to heart knowledge.... from words on paper to word written on my very soul I want to know who or what I am suppose to be in Christ. I will not stop praying but there is something missing in all this.
 Jesus is Lord,

Let go and let God is a cliche but it is one that is based on Biblical principles. It is not necessarily an easy thing to do. Many people struggle with this concept. I can understand about things in our past being embarrassing and not wanting to stand before God and have such exposed. You will not be alone in this aspect. Praise God that He is understanding and oh so willing to forgive us our sins. Some times it is a matter of learning to trust in God's promises to us and abiding in His strength, not our own.

Something that may help is to remember to praise God, thank Him for all that He has done for us even if it is things we do not see. Start it with the first waking moment of the day and all day long right to the moment just before going to sleep. Talk to the Lord as though He were a very, very close friend for He is indeed the best friend we will ever have. He already knows our every secret and loves us and is willing to forgive us despite all that. It is the very reason that He gave His all for us on the cross.

I love this...As I read the topic...I was about to post the same list...My pastor asked me to do the manuscript typing for His book..Equipping the Saints..and I typed all that we are in Christ...We have been given life so abundant...How in the world can we not share this with a dying world?....How can we not be bold?...

Hello Musicllover,

There's a reason why the Holy Bible describes a war between the old man and the new man. First, we are still in the world, so the temptations of sin are all around us. Second, we are still in this corruptible body of flesh that is weak and susceptible to sin. Paul described a continuing war within himself, and there is a continuing war within all of us during this short life. We are capable of doing many things with the help of GOD, even during this short life. However, no Christians are able to totally conquer sin in this life.

GOD never promised Christians an easy time in this short life. In fact, he promised the opposite. There is no irony that we grow stronger in CHRIST with trials, trouble, illness, and the other problems that we will all face in this life. We will all also face death unless JESUS CHRIST comes for us first.

It's obvious that Christians handle all kinds of problems differently with CHRIST. We also do better as we grow and mature in CHRIST. However, this doesn't hint that we won't have trials, problems, and crisis to face. We will just handle them better and better as we grow and mature in CHRIST because we aren't alone. GOD is with us and in us, so we don't have the same level of despair as those who are alone and lost. Many of a Christian's trials and troubles can actually be a good thing because they draw us closer to CHRIST and stronger in HIM. These are things that we have to learn, and GOD helps us if we pray and ask HIM to. After all, we have the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD living in our hearts as a comforter and guide. GOD doesn't force us to accept HIS help, but Christians with common sense will learn how to pray for HIS help and accept it with Thanksgiving.

Christians all have a different quantity and quality of fellowship with GOD, and that's because of us - not GOD. Do we worship and praise GOD every day, or do we just come begging when we have trouble? Do we given GOD the proper place in our lives, or have we made HIM 2nd, 3rd, or worse in comparison to many other things. HE is ALMIGHTY GOD - OUR CREATOR, and HE'S already told us that there won't be any other gods (little "g") before HIM. Have we given HIM HIS rightful place as NUMBER ONE and the CORE OF OUR LIVES? If NOT, what should we expect? This is also part of our growing in the strength of CHRIST and maturing in HIM. BUT, this still doesn't hint that we won't have trials and problems to face. We will simply be stronger in CHRIST and better equipped to handle them because of HIS help.

I hope this made some sense.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 8:26-27 NASB  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Musiclover

let me first say that you are not to wrap anything.  God has already taken your past and wrapped it with the blood of Jesus.  This is done.  There is nothing else to do with it as far as God is concerned. 

Galatians 1:13-15
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

1 Corinthians 15:9-10
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

You said that you have read of Paul.  These are two groups of Paul's writings that sum him up completely....and they sum every saved person up completely.  Paul accepted who he was as Saul.  He knew who he was and what he had done.  Persecution unlike anything ever seen since Christ.  But notice he does not doubt at all that God had taken all that he had done and washed it away.  It did not matter what Paul had already done in his life.  What mattered is what was Paul GOING to do with his new life.  In both of these verse groups what do we see as being the one who pulls the person from their sinful nature...God through Grace.  I know you know this, but it is a matter of trusting in this.

Ok not only does the Lord know what you went through...He went through it with you. 

That is easy.  You are supposed to be you. 

As PR had mentioned before it is a matter of letting go and letting God.  Letting go as in stop trying to control what happens.  Stop trying to make things happen.  Letting God is letting God take control of things, and let what God wants to happen, happen. 

This is truly one of the hardest things for people to do.  But yet it is also one of the easiest things to do.  Yeah I know that was as clear as mud.  But what I mean for that is that it is incredibly hard to actually do, but once you do it and look back you realize that it was easy to do, what made it difficult was you.  Our sinful nature has made it where we want to have control in our lives.  We want to think it was because of the work we have done that got us the job, we want to think that it was because of the work we have done that got us a date, or our wife, or our house, or whatever.  That is natural for that too happen.  But what we must realize is that it is ALL the work of God.  And then what we have to do is now listen for when He says to jump...we need to jump. 

ML if you remain true to God in your heart then He will reveal to you the directions He wants you to go.  But you have to be ready and willing to go where he points you.  If God puts it in your heart to sing to the bushpeople of Africa then I suggest that you get your sun screen and bug repellant and get ready for the bush. 

And right now there are 20 Christians that just read that and said "amen! I would go"...but there are 19 of them when called said that they were to busy or that they could not leave their family or job or whatever.  And honestly I would probably be one of those 19.  Which is my struggle of the flesh.  I am all about it unless it means packing up my household and moving...then I would probably struggle.

And I know that when I struggled with my faith I quit going to church, I stopped reading my Bible, and I quit praying.  When God finally broke me and humbled me I saw all of the times before that He had provided me an out.  One that would have been less painful and less humiliating...but I did not listen and then finally just before I did lose everything, I finally listened.   God led me to James and I started reading and weeping.  What verse broke me may do nothing for you because circumstances are different....but the point is do not quit reading your Bible, do not stop praying, and do not stop going to church.

ML you have the prayers of all of us here.  You are not alone, Jesus has been there with you all along and we are with you here now.

Dear heavenly Father we do pray for our sister.  Lord we know that you are the great Healer and the Mighty Comforter, and we ask that in the troubled times of our sister that she can feel your shoulder to cry upon if needed, and your warm embracing hug of reassurance.  Lord we lift her up to you as a sweet sister in need.  Lead her and guide her to what it is that you would have her to do in her life.  Let her feel your guidance in letting go of everything in her life and turning it over to you Lord.  Guide her through finding you and herself in your Word.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.
 

AMEN BROTHER JERRRY!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 3:20-21 NASB  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Another Amen! Brother Jerry.

I would like to share a very old story about a broken pot.

  The Broken Pot 

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on an end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the masters house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his masters house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts." the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws.

Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness your strength is made perfect.


2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Beautiful story  :)

Tom,
        I couldn't agree more with the old man, new man, what you have said makes perfect sense. I am wrestling with my own sin and the sins of my past. Do you believe in generational curses? Because not only did the abuse come through step parents but also my own paternal grandfather, and I wonder is this what I am dealing with? YES, I  Praying for understanding, seeking forgiveness, seeking the Holy Spirits guidance. I am studying the book of John, and then I spend time singing playing my guitar or piano maybe both. I am giving God the time he needs to lead me, talk back to me through song or his word.This it is not like me usually I jump into something with both feet, but not this, this is too important to try to skip corners. Sadley, Its almost as if I have forgotten how to pray, when once I thought of myself as a prayer warrior, on my face, or with groanings....I'm not gotten there yet, but I am not going to stop either. I know God still listens. I  battle the condemnation of not attending church, not praying more in the last several years, not being a wife, my sins are many and some very personal. I get very angry when some of what I am dealing with isn't necessarily my sin but sin that was brought into my life by the perverison of others. But I have allowed their sins to affect my walk with the Lord. I wasn't steadfast, and have become weak...but again I know the scriptures. I have gotten beaten down in every area of my life, faith, family, finances, my marriage, my church... I want to pick the pieces up or maybe not even worry about that, but I do want to move on with Jesus as my center.

Brother, I have tried to copy and answer below each quote, hope this works.
[/quote]
let me first say that you are not to wrap anything.  God has already taken your past and wrapped it with the blood of Jesus.  This is done.  There is nothing else to do with it as far as God is concerned. 
Galatians 1:13-15
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, [/quote]

Yes, I understand what you are saying, it is not I but God who does the work of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, but it is still hard for me mentally to not only understand the concept but deal with the shame and lack of trust in myself and to some degree Jesus. I know what the word says and that makes it almost harder for me because I do know how forgiveness works. Its like having the knowledge of knowing how to walk but then ending up in a wheel chair, you still have the knowledge but lack the ability. I have in many way become a spiritual cripple, knowing what I know, but feeling powerless to do anything. YES Jesus does the work but at the same time don't I need to have myself in a better place spiritually and physically? Aside from a Damascus road conversion I feel I need to prepare because this is a spiritual battle. 



Paul is one of my favorite people of the scriptures, because he was as human and as sinful as any man today. I do not doubt all that God has done or will do, it is me I doubt? I want to be real in my faith, I do not want this to be a hollow battle, I do not want to simply go through the motions which is what I did for years before facing my past. I find myself wanting the spiritual renewing, the rebirth that John speaks about, but not trusting myself either. Crazy isn't it, wanting what is free for the taking but not trusting yourself enough to take it?

You have no idea what kind of horror this causes me, and yes I find some comfort too. But mostly I feel shame. I had a Christian therapist who had me place Jesus at my side as he had me revisit some of the abuse, I couldn't do it, it was like the whole world wouldn't have been big enough to hold that much shame and anger. Yet I know Jesus understands betrayal from those who one day called him savior and then screamed crucify him the next. I am afraid to place him there in my mind, but I long to feel his love, protection, and yes forgiveness. Even forgiveness for those who hurt me. I can't deny there are days that I hope they burn in hell (two are passed away). But then I ask for forgiveness for those thoughts, cause I'm no less sinner than they were.


OH no,  you see I don't think I like "me" very much. There in lies the first questions, how do I know who I am in Christ? Cause if I can find that person then maybe I could like her. I could be the person God intended, not because of my past, but because created a brand new me. Not someone who was fake, or only going through the motions, what I seek is a dieing of the old me, and a rebirth of what God really intended for me to be. Maybe I am only fooling myself but God placed a call on my life before I was born, the abuse stole that, the devil used those I trusted to kill  who I was suppose to be. But God call has not been really stolen just side tracked for a while. I am fighting to retrieve it.



I believe this is one of the hardest things I have ever done, allowing God control is hard for me, with out knowing it I have been a control freak all of my life. Partly because that was the way I felt safest, so again this is an area I have to let go of.

I am guilty of all that you have stated, I have prayed only some of the time,  not read enough, and stopped going to church. I absolutely need a good church, but my hands are tied in that area for the moment. I have no car to travel to church at the moment but soon I will have my own car (after I begin getting a pay check in Sept.). We have 3 churches to choose from, and one I will not attended since they believe they are the only one going to heaven. My husband attends a denominational church, but I don't go. Which is a very long story. A short version would be I am not liked there because I believe differently than they do, I am full gospel love to sing, pray, laying on of hands, and the signs of the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues. When I tried to attend the other church here in town it caused major problems with my already bad marriage because my kids wanted to attend with me and not my husband, either my kids were mad or my husband was mad. For a few years I attended a church away from here, but that was even harder on my marriage because I devoted most of my Sundays to my church, the kids wanted to go with me again, and my husband believes this is against scripture and the bible says you must attend church in the town you live in. (I haven't found the scripture he uses for that one) SO I stopped going there for several reasons, the church no longer exists. Now I go nowhere and know this is wrong.
When or where God calls I am willing that is all I can say, I can't imagine God calling me to Africa but hey I have seen him do such things, right now I must get back on my bigger and better spiritual feet.


THANK YOU so much, I find great comfort in this prayer and knowing that others are praying for me.

I feel as though I have given you tons of excuses. I don't want to give the impression I am dodging my responsibilities I want to love God again, I want a relationship with my Jesus better than before.  I ask lots of questions and explain so much but I need the wise council, and direction that this board can give me since I have no one else. God is great and he is able to do all things, I am willing and want only God's will in my life. Forgive me for the times I seem difficult, I do not intend to sound unbelieving but I need so many answers.

WOW, never thought about God still using me in the shape I am in. Kinda feel as though I could fill an ocean with the leaks I have. But to comform something that htis story does bring out, during my quiet time pray this morning I didn't know how to even begin. I ended up simply saying ok God here I am, this is it, me and all the ugly please make do. I then came here and read this. Maybe all the cracks in my vessel has more of a purpose than I have ever given thought too.  I have much to think about, to pray about. In all things God be glorified.

First of all let me assure you that no one here is judging you in this. We are simply trying to assure you and hold you up in the Lord.



I can see the confusion that you are dealing with, because you say that to some degree lack trust in Jesus and then later say that you do doubt all that God has done or will do. If there is no doubt in God then there should be no lack of trust in God.


Not crazy at all. As I've said before, all too often we do the the battling when we should be letting God take control of the situation. We must give these things to Him and let Him work in us.


The things that we go through even those that are negative are the things that mold us into who we are. Even the negative can be turned into positive by God. (i.e the ex-homosexual that is now witnessing to and helping homosexuals out of their life of sin.)

Realizing our sinful past and being ashamed of it is what brings us humbly to the Lord. Let me say here that you speak of abuse. We are not held accountable for the sinful acts of others that we had no control over. Yes, we should forgive those individuals as hard as it may be. This is a part of turning it over to the Lord for we maybe too weak to do so on our own. As the Lord says, when we are weak He is strong. This is when we realize the need for Him.


This is a normal response for someone that has suffered abuse at the hands of others. It is something that does need to be given over to the Lord. Difficult? Yes. The human nature in us continues to battle against this. This, too, is realizing the need for God as we are not capable to do so on our own.

I would really like to respond to more of your post but I need to get running. It is a busy day for me but know that I am and will be praying for you in this matter, that the Lord will help you in dealing with these things.

Hello Musicllover,

First, please know that we will all continue to pray for you.

I think that Pastor Roger has already hit the nail on the head. Pray for forgiveness and know that the Blood of JESUS on the CROSS is more than enough. Let GOD clear your conscience and know that HE will wash you white as snow. Pray for guidance, pray some more, and wait on the LORD. In the meantime, study HIS WORD, worship, praise HIM, and thank HIM. There doesn't need to be any hurry. Know that HE is able and HE has already made you worthy. Start slowly putting things together and wait on the LORD to help you and guide you. I think that forgiveness is the first key issue. The easiest part will be the absolute knowledge that you will be and have been forgiven. The hard part will be you forgiving others, but GOD is with you. Take all the time you need with GOD and go one step at a time with HIM. Remember that you can approach the Throne of Grace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so pray and pray some more.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Peter 1:3 NASB  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Pastor R

That was a wonderful story and thank you for sharing that.  I had never heard it before and will be using it :)

Music Lover

Roger has already touched on a couple of things before he had to scoot out. 

Let me tell you a little about me and some of my life.  I never knew my father, he died before I was born.  And my mother married my step-father when I was like 4, so as far as I was concerned he was Dad.  When I was 10 he made something perfectly clear and forever altered our relationship.  He said "Jerry, I hate you and I hate the way you do things."  What was once love and respect was immediately turned to hate and loathing. 

I avoided him from that time on.  In high school I fell in love with this girl, as only high schoolers go.  She was a sweet girl who was the daughter of an ordained bible scholar.  She went to church every weekend and was faithful to God and everything.  Well we went out for a couple of years.  She helped guide me to Jesus and forgiving my step father. 

That was very hard for me to do.  My focusing on the hatred I had for this man was a strong dominating factor in my life.  But when I had asked for Jesus to come into my life I can remember the conversation well (yes it was like a conversation). 
"Jerry in order for me to come into your life you must first let go of the past, and let go of that which dominates you, forgive your step father."
"How can I do that?"
"Let the past be the past.  You can do nothing about it.  The past is what makes you who you are today as well as who you will be tomorrow."
"Yes but Jesus, he will be here tomorrow as well"
"Do not worry about what others may think or do.  Only worry about what you will do.  You cannot change other people, only I can.  Leave your worries about them in my hands. 

I cried and and realized that Jesus was right.  There is nothing I can do to change what has happened in the past.  There is nothing I can do to change what people do.  The only way that I can possibly change people is by them seeing me and how I live.  So if I lived like a slob then they will see a slob.  So I now had to quit living as if my step father hated me and just live like my Father said he loved me.

There was forgiveness to my step father.  Once I realized that nothing I could do was able to change the past it started to get easier to forgive him for what he did and how he acted.  I learned more of God and the ways of Christ and it also became clearer why he did the things that he did.  And I forgave him more and more.  Now I can actually look back and remember some of the good times that I had.

Forgiveness is the easy thing when I look back.  It was easy to set in my heart that I wanted to forgive my step father.  Forgetting and moving on was the harder part.  Something would come up and I would start to get angry at him again...or old feelings would come back.  No one said it was easy to get through that.  And Satan will try and keep that going.  That is the part that takes a while and takes constant prayer and dedication to Christ to overcome.

You do have friends and yes even family here that is here to help with guidance and prayer.  And more importantly you have a Father that has always been there and always will be there for you.

Amen and Amen!

Pastor,


Yes there is some confusions involved, but I do want to say that I do trust Jesus to see me through this, but there is a some questions that are as old as the earth itself that simply have no answers. Not that I expect anyone to be able to tell me, but, why does God allow such things to happen? Fallen man, satan roams the earth seeking those who he may devour, to steal kill and destroy, .... Still I don't find alot of comfort in them. I don't blame Jesus, and know he is my healer, but I just can't help the nagging questions.


I hate how my past had anything to do with who I am today the negatives do affect me mostly because I haven't yet found any positives. Something has literally died on the inside of me. Still some part of me holds on to a fragment of what I understood too, Jesus was my King, but WHY what is all this about. So, Yes I guess I am confused about many things. No God doesn't promise us an easy life but good grief how much am I expected to endure. I had given my life to Jesus, prayed, and read daily, leader of a worship team, I believed and loved Jesus, I wanted him to help me with all this. Then even more of  life issues came against me, and stress killed me, a husband who doesn't seem to love me, rebellious teenagers drugs and trouble with the law, financial problems. My middle daughter was abused and her abuser was tried but acquitted. Then the monster from my past came back to life full force, and I had a mental break down. Eventually I stopped attending church, and have had no fellowship with Christians in the last four or five years. Yes I agree,this battle begins in pray... but I am broken, what or how do I pray. My marriage is still a mess, I have no life partner or someone to talk too, financial ruin, kids are getting older and thankfully wiser.... I had a mental break down not only physically, but in my home, and spiritually as well. I throw myself into my classes, I just finished four years of college and feel great about that, God did see me through these last four years, he hasn't forgotten me, but I want my relationship that I had with Jesus back only better. I want the negatives turned to positives but I feel like a baby kitten with no strength to stand. I am committed to finding my way back to Jesus.  I am studying the word, praying and singing. I hope to find what it is that God is trying to call me too. Possibly a ministry helping other rape survivors, I don't know yet. I must understand how God fits into all this. Get back where God can use me again.  


I agree, letting God have the control and about forgiving my abusers, it is a day by day thing, I have my good days and my bad. Some of what I deal with affects many survivors of abuse, stopping the old recordings, there is a certain amount of brain washing that happens to victims of abuse. I know this but it doesn't stop the old self from saying well if you hadn't, or if you had. I trusted and loved ...I was told over and over it was OK, to trust.... and I did! The adult self wonders what in the world, WHY did I trust them. STUPID STUPID, it hard to stop that merry go round once it begins.  I then worry is any of this true, I went for years hiding the past that I am unsure of just what I do remember?  What a mess. What can God do with a mind and heart like this? No I am NOT capable of doing this alone, I come to the throne room, I beg for forgiveness, and ask for mercy even as I still don't understand all this.

 

Thank you, I am learning so much from all the responses, at least I am reminded of all that I once believed. I still sound as though I am disagreeing but there is much I have to lay out on the table. I feel kinda bad too, I don't want to take up anyone time, or use this as a therapy session, I haven't discussed this with anyone for a long time. I have been very humbled by all the care I feel here, I want to get past this, but I also want to do in God timing. I pray God be glorified through each post.

Tom,
       I feel very humbled when I read all that everyone has to say I wonder why I am struggling so badly. It is simply giving it to God, but I fight the sinful nature of man, not good enough, or I am perverted, I can't understanding how to let it go.  Man is the one who makes it difficult.  I feel embarrassed too, but I long for the fellowship.

I had to cut this short earlier to go pick up my computer, so I am back, feels nice to have my old computer back and in my own office area I can think and pray better in here. 

I have seen the debates on forgiveness, and it seems like a 10 headed monster, everyone has an opinion. I believe God will honor my efforts to forgive the people who abused me. I begun working on the forgiveness many years ago, and at times believe I have but then something come up an old memory or I happen to see one of them and wish a truck would run him over. I know I need to work a little more.  I think the hardest part is knowing God can forgive them too, I wouldn't want it any other way or it would nullify what Jesus did on the cross. But its hard knowing if an child molester asks for forgiveness he or she receives it.

Still, what of their victims? It leave those who have been abused to deal with the lasting affects. I wish sometimes my abusers would ask me for forgiveness, I honestly believe if they would have ever admitted to their wrong, it would be much easier to forgive, and it would validate me and help me stop second guessing myself all the time. I did have the opportunity when a women who was involved in my abuse came to me during a special service at church. I had went forward needing prayer, the minister took me aside and prayed for purity, without having known my past. Following the service, she came to me, she didn't say a word, she just hugged me, but I knew what she wanted, and I was able to give her the forgiveness she needed, mostly becuase I knew she was a vicitim too, she lived with these men they were her brothers. 

I will continue in my prayers and keep seeking for the right direction, sometime and I pray that it would be soon I can come to an understanding of all this. But I will wait on the Lord.

Thank you for listening and praying and giving me advice and direction. God bless you, and everyone else who is praying me through this.

Sister, do not feel guilty about "taking up anyones time". It is the Lord's time and if it helps you in anyway with your walk with the Lord then it is all well worth it. Only the Lord knows for sure but perhaps this very thread will help others that are having a similar difficulty. It is not always for us to know what our work in the Lord is. Sometimes He uses us in ways that we do not suspect nor will ever know but rest assured that He does use all that has happened to us for a positive way for Him.


This is actually easier than it may seem. God wants those to worship Him that will do so willingly not of a forced nature. You know the rest of the story as to what mankind did and is doing with that choice.


The main positive is that you came to know that you need God. That is one of the first steps toward Salvation and it is one that many never accept.

These are absolutely beautiful!  Thank you all for posting such wonderful reminders of God's glory.  What a joy to know who we are in Christ.  To know that in spite of ourselves, He still loves us.  To know that during our lowest moments, He is always there.  To know that one day we will be with Him for eternity. 

Thank you Jesus, for your gift of salvation, and for your eternal love.  Sinners, saved by the grace of God.

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. Thank you so much for this portion of your forum. How I needed to read these words and to know how I have been protected from something that would have destroyed my testimony. I wish I would have read this before I sent my last post. All that I am in Christ is life to me and I want to learn more. Thank you all I will be reading as much as I can in this forum.

I just made a copy of the scriptures at the beginning of the thread. I plan on using those during my quiet times as well. I am slowing gaining some of my old confidence back, as I read and pray each morning I know the Lord is with me, and helping me. I know this is not a process that I can do over night, (althought the Lord could make that happen too). I want to be able to give this all to God someday, and understand what I am to do with this nagging of the Holy Spirit that I am feeling. I have been studying the book of John, and will share the scriptures that I feel have spoken to me sometime this week.

I thank everyone for their prayers.

Musiclover

I am glad to hear that you are gaining encouragement in your prayers and time with the Lord.  Yes He could make it happen in an instant...but then that is a topic for a different debate that deals with forcing belief and things like that  :D

I will continue to pray for you.

Hello Musicllover,

I sincerely believe that the additional time is for us - time to help us grow in the strength and maturity of CHRIST. I know that we don't enjoy trials and times of trouble, but they really do help us to grow into the people GOD wants us to be in CHRIST.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I wanted to sent a quick response to everyone, this family is under attack. I know it is because I am fighting to find who I am in Christ and what it is that is nagging me. Since my last post I haven't been able to do any reading or very little prayer, although there is a silent prayer on my lips all the time.

Thursday of last week, my daughter had a major family problem and the law was called. She and her boyfriend are not married but live together and was planning a wedding. They have  a 13 month old and his father was trying to leave her and take the baby, she came home with the baby for a few days, but moved back to his house yesterday. I wanted her to stay home but she has his child, she believe in God's eyes they are married and she is trying to work things out with the father.

Because of that situation my son was kicked out (he lived there too, and the baby's father kicked him out for defending his sister) so he came back home too.

My second daughter has fought depression for a while is all of a sudden on a very slippery slope, major depression, tears, anger, and frustration.... I have called our doctor and she will she her tomorrow, I have also called the mental health center for an appt, she is spiralling down hill. I know that path I've been on it, so I am rushing to get her some help. 

My oldest boy just received word that he may go to the prison for non child support payments, even though his ex wife filed with his SS number and W-2's and received all the income tax that year.

When my youngest daughter doesn't appear under attack she hides in her room or stays at her grandma's to keep out of this mess.

I know where this attack comes from and I know why. I believe it is because I am fighting to regain my own spiritual footing so the devil is attacking my family. PLEASE PRAY for us. I will get back in the word and battle too, but like moses I am weak and need all your assistance and agreement in prayer. I will post this same letter on the prayer request board as well.

Jesus is Lord, even over all this.
musicllover

You and your family are in my prayer book and each morning and evening I review who I have and pray for them.

I will take the time now to pray again.  ML know that we are praying for you and for your family.

Who I am in Christ is thankful...so thankful that He loves me and would give His life for me when there was a time I would not give a cent for my life..I can stand even when it gets tough knowing that this will pass away, but His promise is eternal...I don't know everything but I do know the Lord and I know that He has not promised me a life without trials and tribulation...but through those trials and tribulations, there is peace with every opportunity He gives me to trust Him more... Though He slay me..I will trust Him and know I will see Him and that when my life on this earth is done..all I want to hear is "Well done"..When I read His word...it illuminates me and gives me what I need to endure whatever comes my way... and to me being in Christ is who I am..In Christ..covered by His blood and Satan cannot go past the blood of Jesus for it is posted across me...From the time I wake up to the time I go to bed all I can say is Thank You...

Amen MaryJane!

As Children of the KING OF KINGS, we must always know that we weren't designed for this life and this world, rather for Heaven and Eternity with JESUS CHRIST.

Is this short life all there is? NO!  It's like a grain of sand compared to the beach.

For people without CHRIST and bound for hell, this short life is a high point in existence. The OPPOSITE is true for those of us who belong to JESUS CHRIST. We just need to remember there is a purpose for us being here a short period of time, BUT this world isn't our home. There are many good reasons why we are here as Christians, and they all boil down to GOD'S Will and purpose for each one of us. So as Christians, our best times in this short life are when we yield to GOD'S Will and want HIM to work in and through us for HIS Purposes.

Regardless, Children of the KING OF KINGS should always remember that we aren't HOME yet. We are like visitors in a foreign land just passing through. BUT, we do have a worthy Purpose while we are here - GOD'S Purpose.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I was just going over some old study notes and ran across this one.

Genesis 8:1
And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;

This is after the flood had started and the ark had been floating on the water.  I remember the apparent vastness of the Atlantic Ocean when I was in the Navy and crossing it.  People get lost in the seas and oceans all the time.  If you have an accident in the middle of the ocean then you will more than likely never see another boat.  There are times in our lives where we think we are on that piece of driftwood out in the middle of the ocean.  Alone and floating.  I know there have been times in my life I felt that way.  Now imagine the world flooded with no land at all because it is all underwater.  The vastness of a global flood.

Even though Noah had his family with him I am sure there were times when he had doubts.  Wondering if God were to ever pull them out of it.  Looking out over the water everywhere and wondering if they were ever going to get out of this.

Notice that it starts with God remembered Noah.  In the midst of all the water upon the earth God remembered that little ark and it's inhabitants.  God remembers all and upholds His promises to all. 

Leviticus 26:45 "But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors..." God is speaking and talking of how Israel has abandoned God.  And that even while Israel is in the enemies hands that God will not destroy them or anything of that nature.  God will honor his covenant even if we do not uphold our part of the bargain.  Our salvation is the same.  God has asked that we live a righteous life subjected to Him, He has asked that we go out and win souls for Christ.  We are directed to do many things with our salvation and shown how to let Jesus rule in our lives.  But many do not, they were given the salvation of Jesus and will walk on the golden streets of Heaven, but they are not upholding their end of the bargain.  But God will not forsake his covenants and promises.  He will not strip them of their salvation.

When I start to stumble and fall I often lose sight of Jesus.  I know when I was under Satans grasp as a Christian I would often ponder my situation and wonder why God is not getting me out of this.  I would be like God if you want me out of this then why do you not do ....?  Which is mans way of blaming God for the situations we created.  When I finally realized that I was not turning it over to God and that I was continuing to try and correct things myself then I also realized that God had not abandoned me.  He was there all along and trying to help me out.  But it was not the help that I thought it should be.  I was wrong.  And God showed me all the ways He tried to help out.  God let me know that He remembered me.  That even when we think we are in a sea of endless water with no hope of survival that He remembers us.  And that He is right there with us trying to help if we would only listen.

This is not an exhaustive explaination of what a Christian is, but I hope it will be of help to you.

Basically a Chritian is someone who accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and strives to becoming like Christ.

Acknowleging your need for a Savior by:

AGREE that you have sinned. (Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5; Genesis 6:5; Ecclesiastes 7:20)

ADMIT you cannot save yourself. (Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16; 3:11; Isaiah 59:2; 64:6; Romans 6:23; James 1:15)

ACCEPT Jesus Christ. (John 3:16; 6:44; 14:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 9:15; 1 John 3:1-2; Romans 5:6, 8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)


Then, BECOME like Jesus. (1 Corinthians 11:1; Luke 9:23; 14:26; Matthew 20:28; John 8:29 cf. 2 Corinthians 5:9)

Daily BIBLE reading. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; Acts 17:11; John 17:17)

Pray to God daily. (1 Thessalonians 5:16; Ephesians 6:18; Psalm 55:17; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Timothy 4:4-5)

Fellowship (gather with other believers) Hebrews 10:24-25; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:25; Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 18, 25-27; Isaiah 56:7 cf. Matthew 21:13; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 2:19

Psalm 119:46; Matthew 10:32-33 cf. Luke 12:8-9; Luke 9:23; John 1:6-8; Luke 14:26-27; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 John 4:15; John 15:26-27; 16:13-14; 1 Samuel 2:30; Revelation 3:5

There is so much more, but this is a start. God Bless!!! Eva

WOW,
         I started this thread and pretty much abandoned it. I haven't even finished reading the book of John. I have begun going to church with my husband and I've begun making myself available to help with the music, offered to help with the Easter baskets for the shut-ins, and helping some with the youth of the church. Anyway that is the update, family seems always on the edge of a crisis, but God is good, we make it through each event.
I know all that everyone has said, at least I know what I have read. I know what my heart longs for, but how do I get it from head knowledge to heart knowledge? I think maybe sometimes I make more out of this than is necessary. How nice it would be if God spoke to me so I could physically hear, or wrote a loving message on my wall, (although it would scare me to death). I have fought this infer complex for years, several years ago when was asking pretty much the same question I had a dream of a field. It was a wheat field that had no beginning or ending, the wheat was ripe, beautiful golden wheat as far as the eye could see with a beautiful blue shy overhead. Out of the sky reaching down was a pair of hand that I knew belonged to God. He very gently pulled up one stock of wheat, the roots were showing. God lovingly placed that wheat in a basket, stood it up and gently placed a  soft cloth around the expose roots. That wheat plant was me... I have never forgotten that dream I don't understand it all I knew when I woke up that he was showing me how much he loved me and yet I still ask who am I in Christ. I feel foolish, why should I ask such a thing when God has answered it once in a dream. I am loved, as in the dream out of million and millions of plants..... I have been reminded of that dream often lately. It is I who have fallen away not God. I know God loves me, now what is this nagging that I keep feeling ???????
I feel as though God is waiting till I fight my way to the end of something, myself maybe.

Hello Musicllover,

I guess there might be many ways to think about your dream. There are many object lessons in the Bible that are used to talk about Christians (i.e. planting, harvesting, bearing fruit). It can be said that Christians are planted and transplanted for many different purposes. Some Christians move frequently maybe from their employment, and there are missionaries who start ministries, do training, and move on to start another one. Maybe you were dreaming about what work GOD could do in and through you or wanting to yield to the Will of GOD in your life.

GOD does tell us that HIS children are precious to HIM, and there are portions of Scripture in the Bible that describe the lengths that JESUS will go to in tending and protecting single members of HIS flock. Just remember that we are adopted Children of the KING OF KINGS and we have been given a full inheritance with the Saints in LIGHT - the LIGHT of JESUS CHRIST. We are also told of GOD'S Might in holding us and protecting us. NO Power can pluck us out of HIS Mighty Hands. You already know that HE loves us and will never forsake us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

What a wonderful idea!  Why have I not thought of this before!  Thank you!

Just for information, there is also a very handy prayer module in the e-Sword Bible Study package. It's free and has just about all the bells and whistles you can think of for an outstanding Bible Study Package. Take a look at the first page in the Computers and Software section for a fairly good idea about what e-Sword has available. It also has a daily devotion module, a Bible Memory Verse Module, a personal notes module that automatically interacts with the portion of Scripture you made them for, and much more.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

You cut off my breath, i was not expecting the phrase" John 1:1"
because i was concentrating on your explanation of  e sword.
what  a bang !! that was a  357 magnum
Love in Jesus Def
thank you Tom you made me cried ,I am in AWE

Hello Sister Def,

357magnum was my handle for many years for a list of nets and my bulletin board. In fact, that was also the name of my bulletin board. We did use the Internet to transmit message packets, but that was before the days of modern forums like Christians Unite. My system was devoted to Christian and Law Enforcement Topics, and I remember those days well.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Musiclover,please let me express this  to you,as it happened to me..the day that i ask myself after meditating on John 3:16 "who is  Christ "to me "what does he represent so that i must believe in him deeply" all "of me believe,then that is when my journey in the knowledge of the Word started ..only when i searched who was the person of Jesus Christ ..It may sound childish and stupid but was my journey..love in Jesus Def
John  3:16 was the verse of thruth for me.

Hello Sister Def,

Sister, I think that you just spoke a great TRUTH from your heart, and I don't think there is anything childish or stupid about what you said. You are expressing your love and trust in JESUS CHRIST.

John 3:16-20 NASB
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.  "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Sister, this is one of the most beautiful portions of Scripture in the Bible. It speaks volumes, and this portion of Scripture is a beautiful Bible Study that leads to many other beautiful portions of Scripture that support it. One of the aspects of study that I like to explore is JESUS CHRIST as the LIGHT.

Sister, there is one word you used that I would like to comment on, the word "Child". GOD loves for us to come to HIM in simple childlike faith and trust. GOD loves HIS children, and coming to HIM frequently as a child is a good thing for every Christian to do. We shouldn't worry about some men who will make fun of us for expressing our love for GOD. GOD isn't laughing at us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 NASB
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O  DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Thank  you brother Tom for Christians Unite it makes us grow so much" words" have to take "air"(come out) to grow and spread multiply O it is so great not to be shun because of the name of Jesus..well thank you again..Love in Jesus Def