I got no where else to turn...

[tlozsm94]

Ok heres my story:

I found Christ about 1.5 years ago..but only during the last five months did I take it seriously and not as a joke. Today in church, I was with my fellow belivers when I realized that some of them were kinda hinting at demeanor and how much of a stumbling block i am to them...I also realized that everyone in the church had a talent and purpose there...i was always that guy sitting doing nothing while everyone else was growing in the faith and talking about serious issues...Everytime i was in the conversation, it would kinda change topics as I am seen as someone not very serious (more of a joke)...i feel rejected by my church and loved ones...i cant pray to god because i lust so much, i am a gym addict and a glutton...so with all this sin in front of me...i cant face god and ask for forgiveness....i just cant....knowing that i will do the same sin again makes me feel ashsmed and guilty and stupid....im in college and things r not getting better as my grades r poor, i have no idea why i am even in college...i failed at just about everything in life (playing an instrument, going to gym, school, etc)...i feel useless to god,..i cant even explain simple sccripture to others...and i have been following Christ for the wrong reasons(i followed Christ for a better material life). ..if my grammar is bad, forgive me..i probably suck at writting as well......i just need help..i feel like commiting suicide or going to prison just so that i can escape all this...this is honeslty my last resort....

 

[timf]

i cant face god and ask for forgiveness....i just cant....knowing that i will do the same sin again makes me feel ashsmed and guilty and stupid.

Luke 18:13-14 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

A publican was a tax collector. They were famous for cheating people and pocketing the money they stole. They were held in absolute contempt because they had the power of the Roman government to protect them.

Moses and David were both murderers. We are all sinful and incapable of making ourselves better. Since you have already come to a point of humility, you are able to start moving forward. Some people never make it this far in their Christian walk. Once we are humble, God can give us more grace.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

If you can surrender to God for His work in you, you can be used by Him in all sorts of ways.

Consider this;

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

God does not want people strutting around heaven bragging about how lucky God was to get someone so capable as them.

Christianity is about becoming like Jesus.

Becoming like Jesus is about growing in love.

Growing in love is about growing in selflessness.

Growing in selflessness is about the surrender of the flesh to the Spirit.

The surrender of the flesh comes from humility.

 

[true2theword]

Ok heres my story:

I found Christ about 1.5 years ago..but only during the last five months did I take it seriously and not as a joke. Today in church, I was with my fellow belivers when I realized that some of them were kinda hinting at demeanor and how much of a stumbling block i am to them...I also realized that everyone in the church had a talent and purpose there...i was always that guy sitting doing nothing while everyone else was growing in the faith and talking about serious issues...Everytime i was in the conversation, it would kinda change topics as I am seen as someone not very serious (more of a joke)...i feel rejected by my church and loved ones...i cant pray to god because i lust so much, i am a gym addict and a glutton...so with all this sin in front of me...i cant face god and ask for forgiveness....i just cant....knowing that i will do the same sin again makes me feel ashsmed and guilty and stupid....im in college and things r not getting better as my grades r poor, i have no idea why i am even in college...i failed at just about everything in life (playing an instrument, going to gym, school, etc)...i feel useless to god,..i cant even explain simple sccripture to others...and i have been following Christ for the wrong reasons(i followed Christ for a better material life). ..if my grammar is bad, forgive me..i probably suck at writting as well......i just need help..i feel like commiting suicide or going to prison just so that i can escape all this...this is honeslty my last resort....

we all begin our walk with the Lord at different levels, if you don't give up, and allow satan to talk you into self destructing ideas, you will see God change the things you don't like about yourself, while God could change things for you in a blink of an eye, I have found the journey to be as life changing as the things He has changed.


I see your having a hard time confessing sin your unable to stop, why not confess that you simply don't have the strength to stop repeating these sins, and pray that He will give you the wisdom and knowledge to stop whatever it is you are struggling with.

I'll tell you from my own personal sins, I never thought I would ever get free from a spirit of lust, then after realizing that much of my struggle was self inflicted, I allowed my mind to fantasize all sorts of sexual escapades which led to porn and everything else

and I was powerless at that point to stop, the most important thing I can give you to reach success is to NOT GIVE UP! my failures and backslidding overwhelmingly caused me to want to quit.........but I didn't give up

I let God know I hated the sin that controlled me, and kept asking for the strength to overcome. after really trying to control my thought life, I started seeing some victory, sure it was followed by failure, but as I continued I found the victories increased

the key is what you allow yourself to think about, I hold to the scripture where it says "hold every thought accountable to Christ" that means what would Jesus think about what I am thinking

If He would reject these thoughts then I began rejecting such thoughts, I'm not going to lie to you, this was a long battle, and it took a couple years to get to where i'm at today

but the NOT GIVING UP! is what carried me through, If your not big on reading I suggest getting a dramatised version of the bible to listen to, its pretty interesting that way, and you would be amazed at how the word of God builds your faith


today lust has no hold on me, and have complete control over my flesh, its called freedom, its freedom because its no longer a struggle, I'm not constantly fighting with lust as I was on an hourly basis,

its down to every 6 months or so lust will try to get in but after you have found such long stretches of victory, you will realize that the deception is that your powerless to stop. the reality is you can stop. Jesus has defeated our enemy, we only believe we can't stop because of the lies that flood our mind


after a while your mind just starts rejecting thoughts before they even get a chance to play, and walking in that kind of victory will be the one you will walk in if you can just not give up!

 

[Harry3142]

tlozsm94-

If there are really fellow members of your church who are critical of you because they have judged you as not on their level, the problem isn't with you; it's with them. What you've described is arrogance, and it's the one sin which can tear a church apart.

Jesus himself encountered it with some of his fellow Jews, and pointed out quite bluntly to them that their actions were earning them nothing, while their attitude towards those around them was earning them God's discipline, rather than his praise:

"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' " (The Gospel of St. Luke 17:7-10,NIV)

With God there's no such level as going above and beyond the call of duty. If we recognize that a certain task has been set before us, and we have the talent to perform the task, then it is our responsibility to do so. But for us to have the attitude that our completing those tasks is in some way earning us points with God will lead only to a very rude awakening. The only reward any of us should recognize as our deserving is the successful completion of whatever tasks we have been assigned. In a presentday setting, to think otherwise would be akin to thinking that a cop should pull us over as we're driving so that he can pay us for driving safely.

But reality dictates that the only person who successfully performed every task that God wanted of him was Jesus Christ himself. None of us can have our own actions be seen as being on the same level with his, and only then would our actions be worthy of any praise. That's why salvation must be given to us (Romans 3:19-5:10). We cannot earn it, nor can we purchase it. Instead, we must be as the publican in Luke 18:9-14, who humbly asked for God's mercy, and received that mercy.

 

[manitouscott]

Brother I understand your struggle, both with lust and with being ashamed of repeated sin. I become so frustrated and angry with myself that I just want to hide from God and I don't want to ask him to forgive something I keep doing because it feels fake and shallow to ask forgiveness for those things that I have asked forgiveness for before.

God

Is

Love

Period. Would you forgive your son for continuing to sin? How many times? Seventy times Seven? I would. And he does. I have noticed that when I am compelled to stop asking forgiveness for an ongoing sin 2 things happen after I do finally confess and ask:

1: The horrible feeling of distance between me and God stops
2: I am more motivated than ever to keep trying to remove that sin from my life.

And by God's grace, many of my chronic ongoing sins no longer have power in my life due to continual prayer, confession and repentance.

I am praying for you.

 

[1watchman]

Welcome here, friend. Put the Lord Jesus Christ first in your life, and make Him your best Friend. You will find peace and blessings.

 

[trulyconverted]

Dear brother,

If you commit suicide - eternal torment is awaiting you (you end in the worst situation). If you go to prison, you bring yourself with you, so still you cannot escape from all this.

God is a great God.

However great your sin is, it can never much the great sacrifice Christ has made for the world. And because of that if He wills it, He can forgive all your past, present, and future sins.

Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Once you belong to God He begins a work in you and He will finish it so you need not struggle with sin with your own effort anymore.

You said you found Christ 1.5 years ago, now go to Him and make sure He finds you (Galatians 4:9 "But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God...").

 

[ACTRAISEROtto]

OKay brother check this out.
Your life is not a Popularity contest.Nor is it about being able to pluck a guitar or paint a bueatiful painting.
There are going to be people who are going to think this or that.
2. You MUST take you sins before god.Period.I had a problem with obscene shocking outrages blasphemy....I've said horroble things to the lord our god, how do you think it made me feel to know that I had to bring them before the lord and ask for forgiveness?
He forgave me and we have moved our relationship to the next level.I found out that you actually do god justice when you bring your blackist sins before him and let his light shine into them, because by doing this you are actually showing that you have faith in your god who claims to be all about forgiveness&redemption.
So lay it on god what you dont think he's big enough to handle you seemingly life endding event?
we ARE ALL A WORK IN PROGRESS by commtting sucide you deny god a chance to fully repair you and transform you into christ likeness.

It's hard for you to witness because you probably are just a late bloomer and neeed several more years of mature biblicaly study(pssst may I suggest you tube and the following channels:Mark Dice, The vigilantchristian mario,Sheildoftheson by youtuber micheal Hur, DR. Scott johnson(one of my favorites) Russ dizdar(another faborite)
These guys I just told you about have alot of valueble knowlegde and especialy spiritual knowledge.
This isnt the end of your world plz dont hurt your self nobody wants that.
your brother in christ Otto.

 

[justhappeneduponthis]

If there is any compassion in that church, your blunt question might provoke someone of near age into a coffee shop talk. Just "pressing the flesh" and spilling about your frustrations will give someone else a place of intercession. If you know that one person is praying in all honesty, you may start to feel less "alone".

Admittedly there is a lot of sham in the assemblies, but you needn't measure up to that. I am thoroughly convinced that every soul desiring to take hold of a vital relationship with Jesus is of inestimable worth to God. "God so loved the world that whosoever..."

Even the great pillars of faith (Samuel Rutherford of Scottish Covenantor times) had seasons when they felt entirely dry and abandoned by God. He has His purposes for this and the result will eventually be heightened intimacy. Remember that holiness never comes about as a consequence of grim determination pushing. It is rather the unconscious result of love and thanksgiving pulling. My last remark for now will be for you to culture thanksgiving. It seems impossible at the beginning, but...

Consider the following link:

https://sites.google.com/site/conversationabove/conversation-where

 

[Rick Kirkham]

Your symptoms sounds similar to mine. I have ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactive disorder. When I get excited, if I'm don't concentrate, I interrupt people when they talk, change the subject rapidly and use humor to gain popularity. Martial arts helped me with my focus so I am not on meds, but you might consider seeing a doctor and explain your symptoms.

Rick

 

[thesunisout]

Ok heres my story

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

The reason you keep failing is because you are trying to overcome sin under your own strength. Do you see what it says in that scripture? Apart from Jesus, we can do *nothing*. That includes overcoming sin. You are living a spiritually defeated life because you are not going to God for help. You need to lay it all down at the foot of cross and unconditionally surrender to God. All of your struggles, all of your pain, all of the wicked things you've been involved with; surrender them all to God. Surrender your heart to God. Give Him the only thing which you have to give, which is your life.

Yes, it is very wicked what you're doing, but you are being deceived by fallen angels:

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

As an adopted son of God, you have the right to come before Gods throne. You are not condemned; the blood of Jesus covers your sins. It doesn't, however, cover unconfessed sin. You need to get on your knees right now and confess all of your sins to God, and ask Him for forgiveness. When you do, put your trust in this:

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Whatever it is, He will forgive you. Believe that and trust that. Do not *EVER* delay in confessing your sins to God. This is how you fall under demonic oppression, and that is what is happening to you now. That is why you feel like killing yourself, because Satan (who is called The Accuser) has made you believe that you are worthless and cannot be reconciled with God. Your fellowship at the church has only reinforced this view. It's all a lie.

You are justified not by what you do but by your faith in Jesus Christ. No, we cannot willfully sin and expect to get away with it, but, if we repent of sin and seek Gods help in overcoming it, we will be within His will even if we fail. It's a process, and often it takes a lot of little steps. Repenting of sin means to turn away from it. To make a 180 away from whatever it is. You need to decide who you are going to serve; your lusts, or your God. God will help you do this, but you have to trust Him and not depend on your own strength any longer.

Like I said, you are under demonic oppression, and it is fairly reeking off of you. You need to confess all of your sin, and additionally, when you pray to God, ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to renew your mind and soften your heart. Ask Him to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand. I would also ask Him to lead you to another church fellowship, if that is His will. He will make it clear to you.

Don't give up; you're not defeated. The enemies of God who are trying to destroy you are the ones who are defeated. What you need to understand is who you are in Jesus Christ, and you need to abide in the fear of the Lord. Ask God to teach you the fear of the Lord. This is not a spirit of fear, but one of holy awe and reverence of God. Your love, and holy fear of God will help you stay on the straight and narrow.

I am praying for you. God bless you.

 

[Emmy]

Dear tlozma94. A Christian`s strong weapon is Love, and Love overcomes all enmity and anger and aggression, it might take a bit longer, but it works always. Jesus will give you His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower you with His Love, also. Jesus told us to: ask and ye will receive, then we thank God, and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. ( all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends) Love is very catching, and you will find that people will treat you the same as you will treat them. God will see our sincere
efforts to love and care, and God will approve and bless us. You will also find,
that Love will change your very nature, you will become loving and caring and
helpful: if needed.
You might stumble and forget at times, then ask God to forgive you, and carry
on loving and caring and helping. Jesus our Saviour, will help and guide you:
Jesus " Is The Way," and with God on your side, tlozma, nothing and no-one
will be against you. Follow Jesus and accept His Love and Joy.
In Matthew 22, verses35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is: Love your neighbour as yourself." Then Jesus also points out: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Keep loving and caring, in all you say or do, and you are following God`s Commandments, and God`s Love will surround you. Love and Obey,
is what God wants from us, who can be against you?
I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[tlozsm94]

Thanks everyone for the replies, it really helped me....thanks...i cannot find any words to express how i am feeling right now.......i guess i need to get to know god more....thanks....

 

[asiyreh]

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

The reason you keep failing is because you are trying to overcome sin under your own strength. Do you see what it says in that scripture? Apart from Jesus, we can do *nothing*. That includes overcoming sin. You are living a spiritually defeated life because you are not going to God for help. You need to lay it all down at the foot of cross and unconditionally surrender to God. All of your struggles, all of your pain, all of the wicked things you've been involved with; surrender them all to God. Surrender your heart to God. Give Him the only thing which you have to give, which is your life.

Yes, it is very wicked what you're doing, but you are being deceived by fallen angels:

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

As an adopted son of God, you have the right to come before Gods throne. You are not condemned; the blood of Jesus covers your sins. It doesn't, however, cover unconfessed sin. You need to get on your knees right now and confess all of your sins to God, and ask Him for forgiveness. When you do, put your trust in this:

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Whatever it is, He will forgive you. Believe that and trust that. Do not *EVER* delay in confessing your sins to God. This is how you fall under demonic oppression, and that is what is happening to you now. That is why you feel like killing yourself, because Satan (who is called The Accuser) has made you believe that you are worthless and cannot be reconciled with God. Your fellowship at the church has only reinforced this view. It's all a lie.

You are justified not by what you do but by your faith in Jesus Christ. No, we cannot willfully sin and expect to get away with it, but, if we repent of sin and seek Gods help in overcoming it, we will be within His will even if we fail. It's a process, and often it takes a lot of little steps. Repenting of sin means to turn away from it. To make a 180 away from whatever it is. You need to decide who you are going to serve; your lusts, or your God. God will help you do this, but you have to trust Him and not depend on your own strength any longer.

Like I said, you are under demonic oppression, and it is fairly reeking off of you. You need to confess all of your sin, and additionally, when you pray to God, ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to renew your mind and soften your heart. Ask Him to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand. I would also ask Him to lead you to another church fellowship, if that is His will. He will make it clear to you.

Don't give up; you're not defeated. The enemies of God who are trying to destroy you are the ones who are defeated. What you need to understand is who you are in Jesus Christ, and you need to abide in the fear of the Lord. Ask God to teach you the fear of the Lord. This is not a spirit of fear, but one of holy awe and reverence of God. Your love, and holy fear of God will help you stay on the straight and narrow.

I am praying for you. God bless you.

Whao that's beautiful brother.

 

[justhappeneduponthis]

thesunisout has given you a lot of good stuff to consider. I see from one of your responses that you have been positively impacted and I am thankful for that. If the Good Shepherd will go to such great lengths to recover that one wandering sheep we can all be hopeful that we have a warm place in His heart, if only we turn and look toward the Son.

Speaking of shepherds, I would suggest that you find a copy of a book by Phillip Keller entitled A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. I would also suggest the following link:
LOOKING TO THE SHEPHERD

 

[thesunisout]

Thanks everyone for the replies, it really helped me....thanks...i cannot find any words to express how i am feeling right now.......i guess i need to get to know god more....thanks....

Hey brother, I'm happy to hear that you're seeing this from a new perspective. You've got the right idea, that you want to know God in a deeper way and have more of Him in your life. That is what is going to make the difference. I pray the Lord would bless you in this, with a deeper experience of His love. I found this teaching today which I think could be helpful to you. God bless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P56xp5iKUCE&feature=g-high

 

[justhappeneduponthis]

We do not need to wallow in condemnation. We have the righteousness of Jesus to call our own. The Enemy need not get your ear and hold you mesmerized like a rabbit before a snake. You have been acquitted:


A Courtroom Someday

Jul8 by justhappeneduponthis
Attorney Reading by Daumier


The judge is so stern.
He frightens me.
The case is my life-
What end shall be?

The gallery is filled,
An angel crowd.
The docket is called-
My name read loud.

Accuser declares,
His brief is packed
With evil I did,
With grace I lacked.

All constables stand
Alert today.
Strong chains are in place
To lead away.

I turn from my box
To seek a face.
Friends out of my past?
But not a trace.

The clerk of the court
Asks me to rise:
“Which lawyer serves you
At this assize?”

I tell him of One,
Jesus, by name,
Who came to my cell,
My case to claim.

I called for His help
Upon arrest.
My case was severe;
He was the best.

He asked for no fee,
Just trust in Him.
The judge was quite fair;
Our case would win.

I told Him with tears,
With grief and shame,
The charges were true.
I was to blame.

But somehow, this man,
With eyes so clear,
Commanded my trust,
Relieved my fear.

“Jesus the Christ
Argues today.
See, His arrival;
Hear Him, I pray.”

The great Advocate takes his place.
(Accuser looks nervous and frowns.)
This Jesus- light shines from His face,
Makes challenge on primary grounds.

“My Lord, there is precedent here.
A case can be tried but one time.
The charges at bar were all cleared.
Remember the trial, it was mine…

On Calvary’s hill I was nailed;
And judged in your eyes as all sin.
In Hell’s dungeon halls, Light prevailed,
And you ruled: ‘Enough for all men’.

This dear contrite soul has my plea,
By taking my name for his case.
And justly, you must set him free,
For, Father, I died in his place!”

His Lordship then smiles to the court
And looks upon me with changed eyes:
“Your faith has brought this good report,
A friend of my Son never dies.”


Doug Blair

 

[Alive_Again]

I remember where I used to work (when I was backslidden), I was often the joker (actually pretty funny) and I never took myself seriously enough (neither did anyone else as a result). Getting sick of our sin is a godly way to be and He enables us to realize this. You can use this to your advantage if you don't give up!

I want to offer you some good news. Jesus has the answer for every single problem that you have. We are a garden that is a lifetime in the making. Some people think of some as a "piece of work'. That's what we all are. So our lives were in total domination by the Kingdom of Darkness. Our "gardens" are sometimes not very pretty and it's time to root out bad trees, foxes, infestations, etc. We change our allegiance and they (actual demonic spirit beings) rise up to contest who really has dominion over your life. You reach a point where you want victory over these forces, who were basically uncontested previously. God CAN deliver you, but to be free you need to count the cost (as Jesus said). God can completely change your life, but you're going to have to be a disciple, not a church going pew warmer. You are of great value to the Lord and He loves you just like His favorite (He actually has no favorites, but He loves you just like He did Peter or John.)

Many times lust issues or even self image issues (the need for bodybuilding) are responses to causes that have a root issue that the Spirit of God can identify and bring healing for. People try and deal with the fruits (of the lust, etc.), but it isn't until the underlying traumas get dealt with that lasting victory is obtained.

It takes the anointing power of God to deliver and set free from lifetime bondages to sin. Be assured God can and will forgive you every time you ask. You MUST continue to ask because, sometimes your restoration is a process. Jesus knows the reason why people do what they do, and He also knows the cure. He holds the keys! Sometimes He sets you free a battle at a time and gives you the grace to know Him while you go through the process.

When you read the scripture about Jesus preaching the gospel to the poor, the giving if sight to the blind, etc. Go ahead and add all of your problems right alongside all of these things that God has the answer for. That is the good news of the gospel.

Sexual issues should be counseled with your pastor. Really any other sin issue should as well, particularly if it is recurrent. There is an anointing the pastor has to care for the sheep. If you esteem the anointing, you can receive the reward that office has.

If you're going to a powerless, traditional church, I would strongly consider joining one where the gifts of the Spirit are in operation (a charismatic church). You'll need the operation of these gifts to discern the root causes of your problems. You'll have to be transparent and open in your discussion with the pastor or elder in the church. I'm sure the pastor in addition to counseling and ministering to you directly, will know people in the church who move in the "word of knowledge". God will give you the deliverance you can hold. You have to be ready to lay it down and not fool around for this to happen. Deliverance from demonic spirits affect your quality of life tremendously and certain deliverances are worth their weight in gold. It will be your freedom that will honor Jesus as a powerful witness of His resurrection. Your bondage does Him no glory at all, other than you're seeking and looking toward Him.

EVERYONE deals with demonic attacks. We ALL go through this process of repentance and deliverance/healing.

If you go to a church where they don't preach about spiritual warfare and victory, and the good news you can hear and latch on to. It's time to go find a church that does, because that is the ministry you need! (Some churches don't preach it all, or even believe their are devils.)

 

[justhappeneduponthis]

Alive Again has given some good comments about placing yourself in an environment where spiritual warfare is seriously considered and where God is still recognized as being in the miracle working business. This is no time to hang around an assembly where everything is just so NICE. Deliverance is a word in charismatic/pentecostal circles that evokes images of all kinds of rescues (Sickness, torment, loneliness, addictions). But remember that God/Jesus effects the rescuing, not any particular church package. Psalms 107 and 32 are worthy of your consideration right now; also Matthew 17.

Consider the following:

From Mountaintop to Taxes

Oct17 by justhappeneduponthis

Matthew 17 gives details of the Transfiguration of Jesus, a sublime event.
He returns from the mountain telling Peter, James and John to keep quiet about what they have seen until after He has risen from the dead. He now gets quite explicit about His passion and martyrdom. Not the sort of thing that they want to hear coming from the One who so recently received the praises of God the Father.

He sees His other disciples attempting to minister to a desperate father with an epileptic son. They have had no success. The father pleads his son’s case and begs for Jesus’ intervention. Another father. Another son, but a very bad situation.

The father has put up for years with the erratic outbursts of the son into fire and into water. “Lord I believe. Help thou my unbelief.” Here he is speaking the experience and the vacillation of many who suffer grave difficulties. He was not witness to the mountain-top event. He has only qualified knowledge of the Rabbi Jesus. But this scintilla of honest trust and desperate need will bring on a joyful victory. The boy is delivered.

Fast forward to Peter being asked whether he and the Nazarene feel themselves under obligation to pay the modest temple tax. He takes it to Jesus. His Master acknowledges the obligation to meet civic duties (although in a strict sense the Son of the Lord of the temple was under no tribute obligation).

Is it a sense of humour that provokes Jesus to tell Peter that the necessary coin will be discovered in the next fish to be drawn from Galilee? To this day there is a species of fish in that Lake known as St. Peter’s Fish (perhaps tilapia).

What a strange entanglement of events to be found in a single Gospel chapter! From the glowing mountain-top affirmation of Messiah to the valley of sickness and torment to the tax collector's demand. Jesus cruises through it all in victory. But it behooves us to consider the inter-connection of these events in the life experience of the Friend of Sinners. We do not do this nearly enough. We just memorize the succession of isolated stories.

 

[justhappeneduponthis]

I might also add this:


Marching Orders

Oct17 by justhappeneduponthis


Remember the old hymn?
“Onward Christian soldiers
Marching as to war
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.”

We don’t address very often the Church Militant. Too negative a topic they say. Let’s focus on the loveliness of the life.

Tell that to the mother whose child has just been found a suicide. The young father struggling with lay-off and receiving only postured pleasantries from every job interview.

There is a war, and it is not with people who do not think as we do. They are fellow travellers on this planet and deserving of every respect and consideration.

The battle is with the fear and deception concocted by the Devil and his minions. A voice whispers over the shoulder, “You know God is behind that abusive father of yours. He is there and he sees all the mess and he does nothing. Tell me that there is any love or truth in that. Who needs him; who wants him?”

Just such a lie is perpetrated in so many ways. And the victim, if overcome by the Prince of Darkness, walks away from comfort, truth, love and rescue. Doubly the slave to Satan.

That is the field of battle. Deception. Unbelief. Self-pity. Lust. Unforgiveness.

Strategies involve agreement in prayer, faithful living and testimony, the helping hand, the affirming look and much patience.

Onward Christian soldiers!