Stepping out in faith

Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the World. A city that is set on an hilI cannot be hid, Neither do men light a candle; and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

I took my family to the Wednesday night service at Living Faith church and we had such a great spiritual time. As I stood in the congregation singing and worshipping, I became aware that God had sent His Holy Spirit into me, I became overwhelmed by joy in the presence of God. I thanked God loved me so much that He had sent His own Son to die for my sins. I cried out “Hallelujah, Oh mighty God, King of kings.

When I first arrived at the church, my spirit was subdued from the various problems I had faced during the week. I was smiling and glad to see my friends, but part of my smile was forced. Yet here now in the congregation, I was unable to hold back the joy that flowed through me. I was a new man and hope was renewed in me.

I realized that God was telling me to step out in faith and believe that I am the person God wants me to be because I have His Spirit I am never without hope, although I do not always feel hopeful in the world. Sometimes I may have feelings of unworthiness or despair as though I have lost something of my life. What can be done, how can I be delivered of these feelings? I go forward now by faith alone.

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Love is the answer
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There are times when the presence of the Holy Spirit burns so that I can do nothing but open my mouth with praise and thanksgiving as the tears flow from deep within. I can not hold it in and must allow the Spirit of the living God to flow out of this mans lips, I can not stop it, though I have tried, asking myself is it me or the Holy Spirit and as I try as I might I am unable to stop the praise from flowing out of the living well that Jesus has birthed inside of me. Thank you God our Father for the amazing gift that you have bestowed on this lowly creature.
Jeff

Yes those feelings are normal the devils way to attack us christians is in our minds he likes to bombard us with negative thoughts but dont worry,whenever you think unworthy remember that god sent his only son to die in the cross for u,so that you could have eternal life,dont believe in the lies of the devil,theword of god says But now thus saith the lord that created thee,O Jacob,and he that formed thee,O Israel,fear not,for i have redeemed thee,i have called thee by thy name,thou art.Isaiah43:1.

Hi RoyWM,

I would suggest focusing on personal accountabilty. I've had my share of these internal struggles -- feelings of loss, despair, a lack of faith -- the irony I've found, however, is that one of the best opportunities to develop personal accountability is when we're unaware of its necessity. Unfortunately, when the need for accountability is upon us, there are many who do not have any significant relationships on which to lean. We haven't invested consistently in meaningful, spiritual friendships or relationships and, as a result, our isolation often increases in times of anxiety.

Our most basic need in life is our relationships with Christ and with other like-minded individuals. Within these relationships, we can safely discover our shortcomings and receive new input and teaching. Another factor is that as Christians we also at times seek moral perfection. We focus more on our performance and base our standards on good behavior. Backsliding is one thing, but admitting our imperfections and addressing our bouts with despair is another.

Genuine accountability with one another can greatly assist in closing this gap and furthering our relationships with Christ. This is invariably true when we find ourselves seeking accountability because of a moral failing or an absence of faith. In becoming known to others in Christ and being held accountable, our unity and love for each other becomes a significant part of our healing and spiritual growth.

Grace & Peace,
Derrick

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I long always for the unspeakable joy and all-consuming love of God, yet it seems to come so infrequently. I wonder if that is because God is teaching me something else at this time that I can learn only by going the pain and struggles. Yet I do not like this pain and I yearn to avoid it though I cannot.

Is it vain of me to think that I could one day attain a peace in my life that would remain through all my difficulties. I know that pain is part of life yet still I do want to avoid it.

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Love is the answer
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Praise God in your suffering as Paul speaks of it in the following:

Phl 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

Phl 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Phl 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Phl 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Phl 3:12 ¶ Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Phl 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Phl 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We may experience peace even in the difficulties, when we apprehend that which we have already been apprehended by, even the Spirit of the living God.
Jeffrey

That is true, but going through difficulties is not something pleasurable that one should seek out.

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Love is the answer
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Is it truly Gods will that we should struggle and suffer. Or is it that he only wants us to fly. We put God in a context of a ruler or king of our world when we say that to suffer makes you stronger. Does God say you will suffer to know me. No because that is forced love wich is not love at all. God wants us to choose him from the start so we can live in true relationship with him. It is the same with a child, do you say to a child you are going to struggle so you can love me? No you let the child make their own choice and face the conciquences of their actions. God allows suffering because our actions have put us on that road. The amazing part of Gods love is we can choose to get off that road. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. For God has forgiven us before we even know it.

I know what you mean. I wish it didn't have to happen too. And God wishes it didn't have to happen (He told me). But they are necessary. We are being prepared. We are being tested like a gold is tested in the fire. God IS definitely teaching you something in each battle. He is closely watching you as you battle. I have understood that we DO learn something in each trial, even though most of the time we can't see what it is.

This song says it all: God has a purpose. God has a plan. He intercedes when you've got all the training you needed from a particular battle. He is like a trainer. He makes us spiritually fit. He takes us through this "exercise" and is closely watching our every move. He helps us when it's too much for us. He stops the trial when we got everything we need from it.

I've learned that trials are necessary and it's out of His love that He takes us through them. Imagine a mother taking her child through chemotherapy. Imagine how that makes her feel to see her child suffer though it.

God told me once that He hurts too when we hurt. So each time when we go through a trial, and Jesus is always there with us, He hurts too. But together, Him and you, can make it. You and Him, together, can be victorious each time, and grow each time. Come to Him each time, ask Him for strength. Lay it all in His very capable, very strong and very loving hands. Learn to thank Him for your trials (knowing that they are for your good) and that will be your victory. Satan is trying to say: see, he is going to complain and be upset with you when I do that to him. But you stand up and say: Thank you God the Father for your love and for your care and for going through this with me and for teaching me something even in this battle and for turning even this battle for my good. Thank you.

Every good trainer deserves to be thanked for their diligence and for giving it all and sticking by a person through thick and thin like Jesus does all the time even while He is taking us through this chemotherapy.
What do you do
when you've done all you can
And it seems like it's never enough?
And what do you say
when your friends turn away,
you're all alone?
Tell me, what do you give
When you've given your all,
and seems like
you can't make it through?

Stand and be sure
Be not entangled in that bondage again
You just stand, and be sure.
God has a purpose.
Yes, God has a plan.

Tell me what do you do
when you've done all you can
And it seems like you can't make it through
Child you just stand
You just stand
Stand
Don't you give up
Through the storm , through the rain
Through the hurt , through the pain

[Chorus]
Well, you just stand
When there's nothing left to do
You just stand
Watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you've done all you can
You just stand

Don't you bow, don't bend
Don't give up, don't give in
Hold on, just be strong
God will step in and it won't be long
VERSE
Tell me,
how do you handle the guilt of your past?
Tell me, how do you deal with the shame?
And how can you smile
when your heart is broken
and filled with pain?
Tell me what do you give
when you've given your all
Seems like you can't make it through?

After you've done all you can
After you've gone through the hurt
After you've gone through the pain
After you've gone through the storm
After you've gone through the rain
Prayed and cried,you've prayed and cried
Prayed and cried, prayed and cried
After you've done all you can, you just stand.

Child you just stand,
when there's nothing left to do
You just stand
Watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you've done all you can
You just stand.

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God is the Love of my life

I don't agree with that, I'm sorry but that just doesn't float. I have a son and daughter both of whom are disabled. Was that my sin that they are thus afflicted, Or are they afflicted so I can draw closer to God?

But if God allows the enemy to afflict my children, then is He doing it out of love for me or for them?

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