Blessed are the poor in spirit.

blessedbethyname101 · Aug 17, 2016

Depression is a spiritual battle with darkness. I totally empathize with those who have depression. Sometimes, the battle feels as if one has lost, but God carries us through it all. I have been at the pit of despair thinking there is nowhere to turn. But, God is there for us all. We need to cry out to Him and tell Him are woes. He understands and will show us the way to the light. Yes, God is light and we must cling to Him with all of our might. He will give us the strength to overcome the despair to shine in the light away from the darkness. God bless you and others who are suffering at the hands of depression! God will not ignore you. Just ask Him to guide you. He always answers. Thank you, Jesus!

W2L · Aug 17, 2016

blessedbethyname101 said:
Depression is a spiritual battle with darkness. I totally empathize with those who have depression. Sometimes, the battle feels as if one has lost, but God carries us through it all. I have been at the pit of despair thinking there is nowhere to turn. But, God is there for us all. We need to cry out to Him and tell Him are woes. He understands and will show us the way to the light. Yes, God is light and we must cling to Him with all of our might. He will give us the strength to overcome the despair to shine in the light away from the darkness. God bless you and others who are suffering at the hands of depression! God will not ignore you. Just ask Him to guide you. He always answers. Thank you, Jesus!

I agree. Perseverance is needed, no matter what trial or tribulation we are facing. We may feel lost at times but the Lord came for people just like us.

blessedbethyname101 · Aug 17, 2016

I just recommended someone else to check out the clubhouses near his area in another post. I actually highly recommend those with mental illnesses to go to clubhouses for support and for fun.
http://clubhouse-intl.org/what-we-do/international-directory/

This is the link. Just put in your city and state and something should come up near your area.

Jeshu · Aug 18, 2016

W2L said:
God is generous, he loves us and does not forsake us. I have seen many dark battles in myself, but he never gave up on me. Hope in Christ is real sister. We are blessed, even if we don't see it.

Even when we don't see it yet for The Word of God promises

Isaiah 30:19-21
People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Cush · Aug 18, 2016

W2L said:
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Psalm 91:2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

I am broken, confused, anxious, hurting. Yet in all this I find Gods love. The apostle Paul said that he gloried in distress because the power of Christ would rest on him. I believe this power is Gods love. It took me a very long time to learn this, but I finally learned that the Lord truly is my refuge. It something we can and will learn.

Put trust and hope in the Lord today. Never give up, there is so much hope. Greater is he that is in us than he who is in the world. That's what the Lord Himself said. Jesus is our refuge. ITs Gods most precious and blessed gift to us. God doesn't abandon hurting people, he loves them.

This scripture might sound like a cliché at times, but its true and refers to Gods love that we can find in him. Its not always easy waiting on the Lord, but its what David in the scriptures teaches us to do, and it must have been what Paul did as well. Its what I do, and although I have many uncertain times, and my faith seems so weak, I still find Hope in the Lord. Right now, although I am full of sorrow, I also feel so full of hope and Gods mercy that I feel compelled to share it. God is with us, never give up hope. God is our strength. He will strengthen us.

2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

2 Corinthians 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong

Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Just like to say as I read your post (which I enjoyed), God does not promise happiness to us all. He promises joy found in him here on earth and life eternal. One really only needs to look at the lives of the Apostles, the horrible deaths they suffered, or the First Century Martyrs for His name sake.

I am a manic depressant, and there was one confusing part of my life I just would like to literate. At the beginning of my conversion, I was quite confused by the prosperity gospel. Those that promise health, wealth, and happiness in this life time. I can't imagine what others think today, those that suffer for Christ under persecution when confronted with that doctrine.

As you say, God is our strength. Here's a little poem to brighten your moment:

WHAT GOD HATH PROMISED

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
many a burden, many a care.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love

Author: Annie Johnson Flint

Psalm 16:5-11. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 144:15. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

W2L · Aug 18, 2016

Cush said:
Just like to say as I read your post (which I enjoyed), God does not promise happiness to us all. He promises joy found in him here on earth and life eternal. One really only needs to look at the lives of the Apostles, the horrible deaths they suffered, or the First Century Martyrs for His name sake.

I am a manic depressant, and there was one confusing part of my life I just would like to literate. At the beginning of my conversion, I was quite confused by the prosperity gospel. Those that promise health, wealth, and happiness in this life time. I can't imagine what others think today, those that suffer for Christ under persecution when confronted with that doctrine.

As you say, God is our strength. Here's a little poem to brighten your moment:

WHAT GOD HATH PROMISED

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
many a burden, many a care.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love

Author: Annie Johnson Flint

Psalm 16:5-11. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 144:15. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Thank you for your words and the poem as well. The prosperity doctrine has been a stumbling block for me in the past. It caused me much grief as well. I believe that we can find a measure of peace and strength in the Lord by accepting our struggles instead of trying to make them go away. We may still struggle at times, but we can also find strength and peace in the midst of it. That's what I believe.

W2L · Aug 18, 2016

Jeshu said:
Even when we don't see it yet for The Word of God promises

Isaiah 30:19-21
People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Thanks brother. Amen.

Tempura · Aug 18, 2016

I guess that's a place I find myself almost all the time. That of being poor in spirit, and weak in my faith. If I had the strongest faith, not only would I move mountains, but I would feel no despair, no insecurity, no hate, no turmoil, no bitterness, no confusion. Then I try to think about how Christ Himself told his disciples often how their faith was weak, but He still loved them.

Christ always seems to be the answer. If only we could be so sure in our hearts about God that nothing would upset us or confuse us. So strong in our faith that everything was always clear. But we are struggling and weak. He is not. So we look up to Him. It's a struggle, but it can be a good struggle if it humbles us and makes us go to God time and time again. He gets to redeem us when we simply can't. It's only fitting for the good shepherd. His love is stronger than ours, and that is comforting. Even if we couldn't feel it at times.

But we can have faith, no matter how weak it may be. We are allowed to believe and hope. It seems so insignificant, but God in his wisdom and grace saw it to be good. It's weird how sometimes that faith has to go beyond the limits of our own amount of faith, straight to the source, bypassing everything in us. Sometimes I feel like saying to Him: "My faith is weak. I am lost. I know this. My faith is nothing. Please help me. I cannot do this without you." And if God is love, and if Christ sacrificed Himself for us, He will hear us. We will know this in the end.

So brothers and sisters, let's cling to that faith together. Let us grab onto Christ, hope and love, even if our hands are weak and shaking. Let them shake. With His help, we can even love each other better. I'm certainly guilty of not loving enough, but again, Christ is the answer. God is the source of love. There is plenty of love for Him to give for us to give again, and the cup runneth over.

God bless all of you, and thank you for your honesty and encouragement. Thank God for all of it.

W2L · Aug 18, 2016

Tempura said:
I guess that's a place I find myself almost all the time. That of being poor in spirit, and weak in my faith. If I had the strongest faith, not only would I move mountains, but I would feel no despair, no insecurity, no hate, no turmoil, no bitterness, no confusion. Then I try to think about how Christ Himself told his disciples often how their faith was weak, but He still loved them.

Christ always seems to be the answer. If only we could be so sure in our hearts about God that nothing would upset us or confuse us. So strong in our faith that everything was always clear. But we are struggling and weak. He is not. So we look up to Him. It's a struggle, but it can be a good struggle if it humbles us and makes us go to God time and time again. He gets to redeem us when we simply can't. It's only fitting for the good shepherd. His love is stronger than ours, and that is comforting. Even if we couldn't feel it at times.

But we can have faith, no matter how weak it may be. We are allowed to believe and hope. It seems so insignificant, but God in his wisdom and grace saw it to be good. It's weird how sometimes that faith has to go beyond the limits of our own amount of faith, straight to the source, bypassing everything in us. Sometimes I feel like saying to Him: "My faith is weak. I am lost. I know this. My faith is nothing. Please help me. I cannot do this without you." And if God is love, and if Christ sacrificed Himself for us, He will hear us. We will know this in the end.

So brothers and sisters, let's cling to that faith together. Let us grab onto Christ, hope and love, even if our hands are weak and shaking. Let them shake. With His help, we can even love each other better. I'm certainly guilty of not loving enough, but again, Christ is the answer. God is the source of love. There is plenty of love for Him to give for us to give again, and the cup runneth over.

God bless all of you, and thank you for your honesty and encouragement. Thank God for all of it.

Thank you for your words brother. I believe although our faith may be weak, that it humbles us and we know by faith that God gives grace to the humble, so that's not a bad thing at all in my opinion. Our weak faith itself becomes faith. Gods generosity is wonderful.

Jeshu · Aug 18, 2016

Tempura said:
I guess that's a place I find myself almost all the time. That of being poor in spirit, and weak in my faith. If I had the strongest faith, not only would I move mountains, but I would feel no despair, no insecurity, no hate, no turmoil, no bitterness, no confusion. Then I try to think about how Christ Himself told his disciples often how their faith was weak, but He still loved them.

Christ always seems to be the answer. If only we could be so sure in our hearts about God that nothing would upset us or confuse us. So strong in our faith that everything was always clear. But we are struggling and weak. He is not. So we look up to Him. It's a struggle, but it can be a good struggle if it humbles us and makes us go to God time and time again. He gets to redeem us when we simply can't. It's only fitting for the good shepherd. His love is stronger than ours, and that is comforting. Even if we couldn't feel it at times.

But we can have faith, no matter how weak it may be. We are allowed to believe and hope. It seems so insignificant, but God in his wisdom and grace saw it to be good. It's weird how sometimes that faith has to go beyond the limits of our own amount of faith, straight to the source, bypassing everything in us. Sometimes I feel like saying to Him: "My faith is weak. I am lost. I know this. My faith is nothing. Please help me. I cannot do this without you." And if God is love, and if Christ sacrificed Himself for us, He will hear us. We will know this in the end.

So brothers and sisters, let's cling to that faith together. Let us grab onto Christ, hope and love, even if our hands are weak and shaking. Let them shake. With His help, we can even love each other better. I'm certainly guilty of not loving enough, but again, Christ is the answer. God is the source of love. There is plenty of love for Him to give for us to give again, and the cup runneth over.

God bless all of you, and thank you for your honesty and encouragement. Thank God for all of it.

I understand so well what you are saying here brother, in our sinful miserable selves we can be so weak, unreliable and fickle when it comes to having faith in Him. However I know now that this is why Christ takes us to those parts of ourselves, and do we have to have time in such spirituality - so that we can repent of heeding the lies wrong brings alive in us and learn to listen to Hi loving truth instead for it is Him who strengthens us and lets us eat from the hidden manna.

It used to be for me so much like what you are all saying here - about finding times of little faith and even doubt and unbelief. I think I might have been given a super faith - for honestly, and without arrogance or any pride, as faith is a gift of God, I don't doubt God at all or find that I haven't got enough faith in Him ever - not anymore - not after all that has happened and all He has done in my life.

After Christ revealed Himself within me and taught me to understand His word personal and spiritual instead of just literally as religion had taught me, I stopped doubting God.

Now please don't think I believe things easily. As a matter of fact I'm a trained skeptic. I got even got a degree in critical analysis to prove that I'm not easily let by bogus information. I don't believe anything on face value or have any faith in what other people claim to be true, unless Scripture confirms it in the Spirit of humble love. However meeting the living word is something even the most skeptic person could not survive. Jesus is so true - as a matter of fact He is the truth - when we meet Him we meet the truth - and He is so loving - as a matter of fact He is love when we meet Him then we find the origin of love - and He is so wise - He is all understanding - He is a light 7 times brighter than the sun - He is so much like The Word says He is that it is impossible to doubt Him or disbelieve Him. The two witnesses of Revelation 11 are completely undeniable after we have cycled through the Word a few times. Or have faced the red Dragon and the harlot on his back working at top speed to try and snuff out New life growing daily within. Once we see and have to fight those evildoers in real life it becomes impossible to doubt God or His word - as a matter of fact only through His Word can we be saved from the power of sins misery.

The self in me who doubted all the time came to a horrific ending in my life - I can vividly remember that part in me screaming in utter terror as it went down through the bottom of my pit into the endlessness below - when the Truth of Jesus snuffed doubts (untrue) life out of me - I have never seen it back and am very happy to be rid of doubt and the power it used to have over me - though I understand now that my doubting self was very much controlled by the goats and had true me - the sheep - locked up and oppressed big time - as you can see for yourself when you doubt God. His Liberation is awesome that's for sure, for now I can doubt safely, and at the right times without any inclination to doubt God or His Word ever again.

What I find so unbelievable of myself is that in many parts of myself I just continue(d) in sin - even after His revelation, (see Daniel 7:8-14 to see how that all goes with the kingdoms ruling us in sin at the time of Christ appearing,) as a matter of fact sin had peaked in me like never before in me on the Day He slew me a the boastful arrogant person I had become using His truth to serve myself and myself alone. The suffering that followed I can never retell and wish no one ever has to go through ever - it is incredible - even impossibly - hard to get rid of the wicked once we give them control over our lives - it took me 14 years in the desert, crazed out of my mind from the deep misery the great desolation - the horrible accuser dragon - had brought alive within me with the wicked screaming at me non stop through using my psychotic mind to turn back into their folds - (they were terrified that's for sure!)

However as bad as Christ punished me for being unfaithful to Him, Jesus Himself remained completely faithful to me. He sustained and protected me throughout this terrible time. He surrounded me with a woman to take care of me and love me through this time in my self created hell and brought around medications and other remedies that lightened my life burdens.

So like I said before how can I doubt Him who got me away from these monsters? It is all written precisely as it has gone in my inner world of being. Reading His Word God use to announce what would happen to me or in me long before it did and then would visit me at the time it occurred - cementing His presence in me as He went through my heart and mind - slaying both free and slave in me and so getting me away from my by the worldly shaped mind - bringing His Kingdom alive in me instead.

As it stands now I'm 100 percent convinced that the God of the bible is true God and is precisely who He says He is. Even in my worst sinner self I'm convinced of that - honestly I never doubt Him at all any more ever! Rather I shudder a sinner at the thought of doubting His truth and instead am spurred on to earnestly seek my salvation in such fallen parts within myself, (as there is always a remnant of our true self in our sinful self,) hated by sin within us, but loved by Christ and reaped as we go along through life. As the Word says - one by one we are taken up in his glory - the last and least in us first - and the first and most noisy ones in us last. Once we enter through the narrow gate of self denial and the laying down of our lives we can final come to rest from our works and join the great Sabbath as it always ought to have been.

So yes like it says in the word of God - God wants everybody to be saved - it is best that we have that truth living in us as well - be ye perfect like your Heavenly Father is perfect - and earnestly seek to serve Him - even while we are still sinners - for faith without works is useless as James so clearly points out - we really do have to have life in Him before we can be saved from our life in sin - where one (true us) is taken and one (untrue us) is left behind.

I hope that no one thinks that in their doubting self there is no salvation - very much the opposite is true - but we best remember that we are judged according to our deeds and if our deeds are doubting God then we can be certain that life in such spirituality will utterly perish when Jesus and His Heavenly Father in Spirit come to dwell in our heart like He promised in John 14. However when we fight being a doubtful person and strive to enter that narrow gate of self denial then we shall certainly see His face at the end of it.

I hope my testimony is as encouraging as it is a warning, for our God is an all consuming fire. So only when we are ourselves are on fire in His truth can we survive a meeting with Him and in Him - like the disciples showed us at Pentecost when the Spirit of God descended on them and they showed by their knowledge of the truth and powers of His love that they were truly God's children and not fakes.

Peace.

Hebrews 12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death." The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear."

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire."

Jeshu · Aug 18, 2016

W2L said:
Thank you for your words brother. I believe although our faith may be weak, that it humbles us and we know by faith that God gives grace to the humble, so that's not a bad thing at all in my opinion. Our weak faith itself becomes faith. Gods generosity is wonderful.

Yeah that is how it went for me as well brother - my unbelieving and doubtful self lost more and more ground as the days of having life in such faithless realities drew to its miserable ending in me, and I learned out of dire necessity to have faith and trust in Him instead. So yes you are very right, even a small faith, a lacking faith, an incomplete faith, and a besieged faith will bring us good life in the end. For our Lord Jesus turns everything to our benefit - even our worst times - that is why He is called the King of kings and The Lord of lords in the good book.

Also I found out that it is not about being humble because we are so wrong, small and pathetic at times as a believer, though such times must certainly come by being a sinner as we are, but in His truth it is about being humble for that is where we want to have life - with Him and in Him - to be humble like Him means that we don't think more or better of ourselves than someone else - not even the worst sinner down here - but rather understand that all people are God's offspring and of immense importance to Him. As you know yourself very well as well if it was up to ourselves we would never even bother to go after Him or His truth for by nature we are inclined to hate Him rather than serve Him. We can only ever thank Jesus for the good fortune of salvation.

For maybe I didn't explain this very well in my post above, but it is very much about dying to self, and coming to new life in Him - time and again - until the final chosen one in us has entered His Rest. Then, and only then, shall we who were first enter into the blessedness we found in Him as first born from the dead when His kingdom began to take of seriously within us, just as it is written about in Scripture. For just as it is written it is hard fro a sinner to be saved.

Still be of very good courage brother, for not even a tottering faith will be able to stop you from finding refuge in His loving truth, and I know, for you have demonstrated this many times already, that you have been granted much more and better than a tottering faith in God. Just keep cultivating the good seed and He will certainly bring about His harvest time you can be assured of that. In our flesh this is all we can do and be, and that is be a good and willing wife to Him and be receptive to His love so that we bear God the Father much Godly offspring in our hearts (Isaiah 54)

Peace.

My Lord, My Husband.

My Lord with bowed head I stand before you,
I'm not worthy to be called your wife.
For I have been very unfaithful
and deserted you for many years.

I'm so sorry Lord that I've been untrue
been unkind, rebellious and temperamental
In The End betraying You for the other one
that cruel liar and deceiver, that Beast.

Yet You rescued me from that tyrant
Hid me in the desert until I grew free
Taught me tenderly what true love was
and gave me back my dignity.

I wanted to thank you dear husband
from the bottom of my heart
for accepted my other children
those not conceived from your seed.

I'm so grateful You sorted them out for me
for a rebellious kindred they've surely been
Yet Your awesome love won them all
freeing me from having to control them.

And now my Lord, my husband so dear.
I feel almost embarrassed asking you this
My Lord, if..if I have found favour in Your sight,
then please, please let me know You...

...Oh Jesus, a wonderful husband you will always be,
please let me be Your ever faithfully loving wife,
the seeds of your Love fill me, time and again
your offspring making me enlarge my tent.

W2L · Aug 18, 2016

Jeshu said:
Yeah that is how it went for me as well brother - my unbelieving and doubtful self lost more and more ground as the days of having life in such faithless realities drew to its miserable ending in me, and I learned out of dire necessity to have faith and trust in Him instead. So yes you are very right, even a small faith, a lacking faith, an incomplete faith, and a besieged faith will bring us good life in the end. For our Lord Jesus turns everything to our benefit - even our worst times - that is why He is called the King of kings and The Lord of lords in the good book.

Also I found out that it is not about being humble because we are so wrong, small and pathetic at times as a believer, though such times must certainly come by being a sinner as we are, but in His truth it is about being humble for that is where we want to have life - with Him and in Him - to be humble like Him means that we don't think more or better of ourselves than someone else - not even the worst sinner down here - but rather understand that all people are God's offspring and of immense importance to Him. As you know yourself very well as well if it was up to ourselves we would never even bother to go after Him or His truth for by nature we are inclined to hate Him rather than serve Him. We can only ever thank Jesus for the good fortune of salvation.

For maybe I didn't explain this very well in my post above, but it is very much about dying to self, and coming to new life in Him - time and again - until the final chosen one in us has entered His Rest. Then, and only then, shall we who were first enter into the blessedness we found in Him as first born from the dead when His kingdom began to take of seriously within us, just as it is written about in Scripture. For just as it is written it is hard fro a sinner to be saved.

Still be of very good courage brother, for not even a tottering faith will be able to stop you from finding refuge in His loving truth, and I know, for you have demonstrated this many times already, that you have been granted much more and better than a tottering faith in God. Just keep cultivating the good seed and He will certainly bring about His harvest time you can be assured of that. In our flesh this is all we can do and be, and that is be a good and willing wife to Him and be receptive to His love so that we bear God the Father much Godly offspring in our hearts (Isaiah 54)

Peace.

My Lord, My Husband.

My Lord with bowed head I stand before you,
I'm not worthy to be called your wife.
For I have been very unfaithful
and deserted you for many years.

I'm so sorry Lord that I've been untrue
been unkind, rebellious and temperamental
In The End betraying You for the other one
that cruel liar and deceiver, that Beast.

Yet You rescued me from that tyrant
Hid me in the desert until I grew free
Taught me tenderly what true love was
and gave me back my dignity.

I wanted to thank you dear husband
from the bottom of my heart
for accepted my other children
those not conceived from your seed.

I'm so grateful You sorted them out for me
for a rebellious kindred they've surely been
Yet Your awesome love won them all
freeing me from having to control them.

And now my Lord, my husband so dear.
I feel almost embarrassed asking you this
My Lord, if..if I have found favour in Your sight,
then please, please let me know You...

...Oh Jesus, a wonderful husband you will always be,
please let me be Your ever faithfully loving wife,
the seeds of your Love fill me, time and again
your offspring making me enlarge my tent.

I believe it was peter who said to cast our anxieties on the Lord because he cares for us.

Jeshu · Aug 19, 2016

W2L said:
I believe it was peter who said to cast our anxieties on the Lord because he cares for us.

Indeed and the Preacher tells us how to go about doing that

Ecclesiastes 11:10

So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.

As we both know it is in the weakness of our inability that our Lord is strong and can build us anew - not in the the strength of our boisterous energy called self will - so very prevalent in successfully religious people ruling the latest ideas about how to be a 'good Christian - yet often faithfully serving The Beast of The earth and its puppet masters ruling this world, using our by the wicked perverted conscience - where good is bad and bad is good and sweet is bitter and bitter is sweet - (our sure guide to get away from such realities ruling our heart and minds though once we know!)

It is God's Truth that sets us free not our own feeble efforts demanded by the dragon but useless to save us from our sin. I know that we can both testify about that in our lives.

To Jesus all the glory and the power forever and ever. That His kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven that is all I care about nowadays. Nothing else is important, but that the wicked ruling this planet all end up in hell and God's children hurting them are set free with Jesus Christ as King and Lord over their lives. Ruling from Zion - as it really is so shall it be for everyone born from Him - forever!

Tempura · Aug 19, 2016

Jeshu, there might be a misunderstanding between us. I'm not sure, but I'll try to explain myself better anyway.

When I say "my faith is weak and I doubt too much", and "sometimes I have to bypass my own weak faith and go straight to the source", I mean that I understand my weakness. When I am weak in faith, not assured in my fickle feelings and I understand it, I own it and ask God to help me, guide me, and try to put my measly hope in Him and His grace with my weakness and despite of my weakness.

I cannot conjure up the strongest faith all by myself. Even you and your "super faith" as you called it, which I don't doubt that you have, got a first-hand experience that is very rare and which left a permanent impression on you. I'm sure you're the first to admit that it was because of grace of God more than any switch you could just turn on yourself.

So by myself I'm nothing. And when I find myself struggling - and I really do - I hate it. It's not something I love, and it's certainly not something I want. In fact, it's something that can tear me apart. I've seen this in many people, and you have too. It's fear and desperation. "I'm not good enough. My faith is weak. I don't know how." And the only hope is God. And If I am struggling, I can't lie to God. I have to admit it. Why would I ask for strength, guidance and hope if I already felt like I had all of it?

I think it's more about wanting to not trust my own feelings when I'm weak, and wanting to trust God more than I feel like I do, and praying with the little faith I might have. I think that alone is also faith. It's a choice made in the midst of a struggle none of us want. I would like to be wholly self-assured in my own faith and strength in it, but since I'm often not, I cannot pretend. And if I start to pretend to God, then I am really lost.

I know I'm a sinner, I know I'm not good enough, I know I'm weak. If I didn't know this because of the realities of my situations, they would only be empty words that meant nothing for me. And that is all I can do: hope for mercy, grace and guidance as the sinner I am. I absolutely admit that I am dependent on His grace alone. That is what I must hope, isn't it? Because if I surrender to the thought that "I am doomed, because I couldn't save myself", what comes out of it? Surely not faith, surely not love. Where is Christ in that equation?

And when I struggle and feel it beating me, should I abandon hope and look into warnings as if God was on His way to destroy what's left of my miserable self? Again, there are switches I can't turn, that only God can turn. When I feel helpless, I want to reach to Christ, our savior, instead of bitter thoughts of condemnation because I couldn't be God for myself.

I know I said several things that you didn't imply. I'm not arguing with you, I'm just trying to make sense out of myself.

Jeshu said:
I learned out of dire necessity to have faith and trust in Him instead. So yes you are very right, even a small faith, a lacking faith, an incomplete faith, and a besieged faith will bring us good life in the end. For our Lord Jesus turns everything to our benefit - even our worst times - that is why He is called the King of kings and The Lord of lords in the good book.

Also I found out that it is not about being humble because we are so wrong, small and pathetic at times as a believer, though such times must certainly come by being a sinner as we are, but in His truth it is about being humble for that is where we want to have life - with Him and in Him - to be humble like Him means that we don't think more or better of ourselves than someone else - not even the worst sinner down here - but rather understand that all people are God's offspring and of immense importance to Him. As you know yourself very well as well if it was up to ourselves we would never even bother to go after Him or His truth for by nature we are inclined to hate Him rather than serve Him. We can only ever thank Jesus for the good fortune of salvation.

You said this to W2L, but indeed you came across more clearly for me in this one. Not that I didn't understand you before.

That's exactly what I want to believe about Jesus. That He really is love, and our boundaries are nothing to Him. That He absolutely can and will make bad things good, both in miraculous and mundane ways, and make the grace real and overwhelming. I say "want", because once again I want my faith to be stronger than it is. I want to believe that God hears the little whimper in us as well, not only loud and bold proclamations full of confidence.

I think people understand the word "humble" very differently. To someone, it means "I don't ask for much", to someone else it means "I don't brag around people", to someone another it can mean "boy, aren't I humble and righteous". What I believe W2L is referring to by being humble, is surrendering to God, fully understanding our miserable state.

I don't even know what my point was with this long wall of text. I certainly didn't mean to argue. I guess I wanted to clarify myself.

W2L · Aug 19, 2016

Tempura said:
Jeshu, there might be a misunderstanding between us. I'm not sure, but I'll try to explain myself better anyway.

When I say "my faith is weak and I doubt too much", and "sometimes I have to bypass my own weak faith and go straight to the source", I mean that I understand my weakness. When I am weak in faith, not assured in my fickle feelings and I understand it, I own it and ask God to help me, guide me, and try to put my measly hope in Him and His grace with my weakness and despite of my weakness.

I cannot conjure up the strongest faith all by myself. Even you and your "super faith" as you called it, which I don't doubt that you have, got a first-hand experience that is very rare and which left a permanent impression on you. I'm sure you're the first to admit that it was because of grace of God more than any switch you could just turn on yourself.

So by myself I'm nothing. And when I find myself struggling - and I really do - I hate it. It's not something I love, and it's certainly not something I want. In fact, it's something that can tear me apart. I've seen this in many people, and you have too. It's fear and desperation. "I'm not good enough. My faith is weak. I don't know how." And the only hope is God. And If I am struggling, I can't lie to God. I have to admit it. Why would I ask for strength, guidance and hope if I already felt like I had all of it?

I think it's more about wanting to not trust my own feelings when I'm weak, and wanting to trust God more than I feel like I do, and praying with the little faith I might have. I think that alone is also faith. It's a choice made in the midst of a struggle none of us want. I would like to be wholly self-assured in my own faith and strength in it, but since I'm often not, I cannot pretend. And if I start to pretend to God, then I am really lost.

I know I'm a sinner, I know I'm not good enough, I know I'm weak. If I didn't know this because of the realities of my situations, they would only be empty words that meant nothing for me. And that is all I can do: hope for mercy, grace and guidance as the sinner I am. I absolutely admit that I am dependent on His grace alone. That is what I must hope, isn't it? Because if I surrender to the thought that "I am doomed, because I couldn't save myself", what comes out of it? Surely not faith, surely not love. Where is Christ in that equation?

And when I struggle and feel it beating me, should I abandon hope and look into warnings as if God was on His way to destroy what's left of my miserable self? Again, there are switches I can't turn, that only God can turn. When I feel helpless, I want to reach to Christ, our savior, instead of bitter thoughts of condemnation because I couldn't be God for myself.

I know I said several things that you didn't imply. I'm not arguing with you, I'm just trying to make sense out of myself.

You said this to W2L, but indeed you came across more clearly for me in this one. Not that I didn't understand you before.

That's exactly what I want to believe about Jesus. That He really is love, and our boundaries are nothing to Him. That He absolutely can and will make bad things good, both in miraculous and mundane ways, and make the grace real and overwhelming. I say "want", because once again I want my faith to be stronger than it is. I want to believe that God hears the little whimper in us as well, not only loud and bold proclamations full of confidence.

I think people understand the word "humble" very differently. To someone, it means "I don't ask for much", to someone else it means "I don't brag around people", to someone another it can mean "boy, aren't I humble and righteous". What I believe W2L is referring to by being humble, is surrendering to God, fully understanding our miserable state.

I don't even know what my point was with this long wall of text. I certainly didn't mean to argue. I guess I wanted to clarify myself.

The way I see it, if we have doubts and fears then our faith is proven genuine as we persevere. Anyone can stroll through life without any struggle, what's that prove though? If others are strong and I am am weak, then I will simply be humbled by my lowly circumstances and Gods grace will sustain me. That's what Grace if for.

W2L · Aug 19, 2016

Doubt and fear are often seen as bad things. However they are evidence of true humility, in my opinion. Any self righteous person can be courageous and bold, but humility is not that way. God gives grace to the humble. I believe he truly is near to those who have a contrite spirit. My faith stands firm on that understanding, and helps me to move forward in confidence, not high-mindedness, but confidence in Gods word that he gives grace to the humble.

Tempura · Aug 19, 2016

W2L said:
The way I see it, if we have doubts and fears then our faith is proven genuine as we persevere. Anyone can stroll through life without any struggle, what's that prove though? If others are strong and I am am weak, then I will simply be humbled by my lowly circumstances and Gods grace will sustain me. That's what Grace if for.

Encouraging thought for sure.

Much like with bravery: if you're not afraid, then you're not brave either. Something similar could be said of patience and suffering.

W2L · Aug 19, 2016

Tempura said:
Encouraging thought for sure.

Much like with bravery: if you're not afraid, then you're not brave either. Something similar could be said of patience and suffering.

Yes, that's the way I see it.

Jeshu · Aug 19, 2016

Tempura said:
Jeshu, there might be a misunderstanding between us. I'm not sure, but I'll try to explain myself better anyway.

When I say "my faith is weak and I doubt too much", and "sometimes I have to bypass my own weak faith and go straight to the source", I mean that I understand my weakness. When I am weak in faith, not assured in my fickle feelings and I understand it, I own it and ask God to help me, guide me, and try to put my measly hope in Him and His grace with my weakness and despite of my weakness.

I cannot conjure up the strongest faith all by myself. Even you and your "super faith" as you called it, which I don't doubt that you have, got a first-hand experience that is very rare and which left a permanent impression on you. I'm sure you're the first to admit that it was because of grace of God more than any switch you could just turn on yourself.

So by myself I'm nothing. And when I find myself struggling - and I really do - I hate it. It's not something I love, and it's certainly not something I want. In fact, it's something that can tear me apart. I've seen this in many people, and you have too. It's fear and desperation. "I'm not good enough. My faith is weak. I don't know how." And the only hope is God. And If I am struggling, I can't lie to God. I have to admit it. Why would I ask for strength, guidance and hope if I already felt like I had all of it?

I think it's more about wanting to not trust my own feelings when I'm weak, and wanting to trust God more than I feel like I do, and praying with the little faith I might have. I think that alone is also faith. It's a choice made in the midst of a struggle none of us want. I would like to be wholly self-assured in my own faith and strength in it, but since I'm often not, I cannot pretend. And if I start to pretend to God, then I am really lost.

I know I'm a sinner, I know I'm not good enough, I know I'm weak. If I didn't know this because of the realities of my situations, they would only be empty words that meant nothing for me. And that is all I can do: hope for mercy, grace and guidance as the sinner I am. I absolutely admit that I am dependent on His grace alone. That is what I must hope, isn't it? Because if I surrender to the thought that "I am doomed, because I couldn't save myself", what comes out of it? Surely not faith, surely not love. Where is Christ in that equation?

And when I struggle and feel it beating me, should I abandon hope and look into warnings as if God was on His way to destroy what's left of my miserable self? Again, there are switches I can't turn, that only God can turn. When I feel helpless, I want to reach to Christ, our savior, instead of bitter thoughts of condemnation because I couldn't be God for myself.

I know I said several things that you didn't imply. I'm not arguing with you, I'm just trying to make sense out of myself.

You said this to W2L, but indeed you came across more clearly for me in this one. Not that I didn't understand you before.

That's exactly what I want to believe about Jesus. That He really is love, and our boundaries are nothing to Him. That He absolutely can and will make bad things good, both in miraculous and mundane ways, and make the grace real and overwhelming. I say "want", because once again I want my faith to be stronger than it is. I want to believe that God hears the little whimper in us as well, not only loud and bold proclamations full of confidence.

I think people understand the word "humble" very differently. To someone, it means "I don't ask for much", to someone else it means "I don't brag around people", to someone another it can mean "boy, aren't I humble and righteous". What I believe W2L is referring to by being humble, is surrendering to God, fully understanding our miserable state.

I don't even know what my point was with this long wall of text. I certainly didn't mean to argue. I guess I wanted to clarify myself.

The Way to Christ goes along the path you are traveling brother that is all I tried to share with you. In the end it is not our faith but Jesus who liberates us from our sin no one and nothing else can do that.

The things I have met on my on the way you will also meet one day for we all travel on His high way when we believe Him at is word but are burdened down with teribl loads when we try to go to back to Egypt for help and substance. There is no way back, only forward.

We have to lay down our lives. Understanding that we are sinners is of paramount importance in that process. For is a rich man prepared to say goodbye to all his riches easily and untroubled? but if our life is crap any way it is much easier to get rid of it, we may even gladly die to being like that, it was very much like that for me most of the time, though I have a few very stubborn ones in my ranks as well, I think we all do - I reckon mainly so that we can experience the great lengths God goes to save us from our fallen existence. Like Paul says our worst sin shows God's greatest grace - to not be like that anymore is and remains the challenge though or don't you reckon?

Tempura · Aug 19, 2016

Jeshu said:
The Way to Christ goes along the path you are traveling brother that is all I tried to share with you. In the end it is not our faith but Jesus who liberates us from our sin no one and nothing else can do that.

This is exactly what I tried to say as well. That it's Him, not us, and His love is the key. Sometimes (or often) when I'm anxious or confused for some reason, I don't understand people well. Or anything, for that matter. So it can seem like I'm ranting, and perhaps I often am. Don't think that I have something against you though, because the opposite is true.

Jeshu said:
Like Paul says our worst sin shows God's greatest grace - to not be like that anymore is and remains the challenge though or don't you reckon?

I do. That's the struggle. Not wanting to go back to hopeless, loveless life, and at the same time realizing how our own weakness puts blockades before us. It doesn't only affect what we do or don't do, but also how we feel and perceive things.

Seems like we're circling around the same thing, just using different words. I do that a lot. God bless, brother.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.

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