How long do we stand on God's verses?

As far as your question goes, you stand on God's promises until death if need be. Abraham was promised to have as many offspring as sand on the sealine, yet he didn't actually get that while alive. Hebrews 11 would be a good read for you in this situation I think.

Now there is always the possibility that you may be misunderstanding a promise and standing on a promise that doesn't actually exist or may exist in a different form that what you think it is. Perhaps some more details about what is going on and what promises you are standing on would help further dissect what is going on. Otherwise, just keep praying and seeking. Fasting helps for breakthroughs too.

Mich46 said:

I've been through four churches in my lifetime and each one I've been abused, bullied and intimidated. I haven't been able to settle in church these past few years, so I watch Revelation TV etc where they have 'church without walls' on. I just can't seem to get anything started in my life whatsoever. When I watch Christian teaching on the TV, I hear, "Don't move an inch without knowing it's from God and it's His will" and then, "God won't steer a parked car". I am so confused and end up not moving an inch in case it's not God's will. Marriage never happened, children never happened. It's all past me by as I kept waiting on the Lord to 'send a spouse'. Maybe it's never been meant I got married - who knows.

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So yeah that is an unfortunate situation for sure, but still not one God can't fix so continue trusting in Him. I'd tell you like this, we should wait for God to move as He wills, but waiting isn't a passive thing, it's active. Think of a waiter/waitress in a restaurant. They wait on tables, they are always doing something and when they are given a specific order, they fulfill it. That type of thing. We all know from the scriptures that God has given all of us a general call, a general sense of direction in life. To live holy, to share His love, to pray, etc. Start there, then as you are doing those things, look for God to give you more specific leadings.

As @Hammster mentioned, being involved in a church is vital. I understand completely the desire to not want to be due to hurt or neglect. I totally get that, but not all gatherings are bad, just persevere. If you visit one and it doesn't fit well with your spirit, find another. Keep searching and don't give up. God will place you where He wants you and needs you. The things you've experienced and dealt with will help you down the road and you may be put in a position to give wise advice to someone else so they don't have the same pitfalls that came upon you.

About having a family, that is rough. I can't sympathize with you as I have a family with children, but I do understand from the point of view that I'd be heartbroken without them. I will tell you like this. You are still young, 51 isn't not past the point of finding love and joining with another in matrimony. Pray about it and seek God, fast over it and God will answer you. Go back to what I said about waiting and while you are seeking a church home, be open to some new ideas God may bring about concerning your relationship. You will know when the right one has come. Child bearing may be out of the question, may be, God gave Sarah children when she was 90 so it's never impossible. But you can always adopt a child and they need love just as much as your own. It's not the same I know, but something to consider.

I'll pray for you and prayerfully you'll find some clarity and hope in all of this through the Holy Spirit.

Mich46 said:

I've been through four churches in my lifetime and each one I've been abused, bullied and intimidated. I haven't been able to settle in church these past few years, so I watch Revelation TV etc where they have 'church without walls' on. I just can't seem to get anything started in my life whatsoever. When I watch Christian teaching on the TV, I hear, "Don't move an inch without knowing it's from God and it's His will" and then, "God won't steer a parked car". I am so confused and end up not moving an inch in case it's not God's will. Marriage never happened, children never happened. It's all past me by as I kept waiting on the Lord to 'send a spouse'. Maybe it's never been meant I got married - who knows.

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God will always send a spouse, but the question remains, are you ready and prepared to BE a spouse to the woman that God sends?
What's the difference?
Very simple. Whose requirements does this woman have to meet?
Yours or God's.
Think about that for a moment.
Secondly, are you prepared to be a true husband and protector to this woman? And lastly, you are not too old to marry.
Many men in their 60's marry and are blessed with a grown family that they thought they would never have.
So you've got plenty of time yet to prepare yourself for marriage, if it is God's will.

Mich46 said:

I've been through four churches in my lifetime and each one I've been abused, bullied and intimidated. I haven't been able to settle in church these past few years, so I watch Revelation TV etc where they have 'church without walls' on. I just can't seem to get anything started in my life whatsoever. When I watch Christian teaching on the TV, I hear, "Don't move an inch without knowing it's from God and it's His will" and then, "God won't steer a parked car". I am so confused and end up not moving an inch in case it's not God's will. Marriage never happened, children never happened. It's all past me by as I kept waiting on the Lord to 'send a spouse'. Maybe it's never been meant I got married - who knows.

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Maintain time with the Lord. As far as taking steps in your life (making or maintaining friendships, volunteering, watching media, walking in the park, etc.), don't do that which contradicts the Bible and go with your gut.

I find it particularly helpful to sing songs to the Lord in private - make sure the words are scriptural. That tends to improve my mood.

Mich46 said:

I've been claiming scripture verses and standing on them since I was 18 (I am now 51). I so desperately want change in my life, but things haven't progressed since I was a child. I feel life is quickly passing me by. I am in the same set of circumstances since I was a toddler. I have no family (all dead) and no true friends.

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God always answers prayer- "yes", "no" and "wait". Ask the Lord to show you why things are not working out. If you are not receiving a "yes", you need to know why. God is not arbitrary. If we pray in Jesus's name, God hears us. If we pray according to His will, we will have what we ask. However, there can be hindrances. For example, (I'm not saying this is the problem) unforgiveness hinders prayer.

Mich46 said:

I've been through four churches in my lifetime and each one I've been abused, bullied and intimidated. I haven't been able to settle in church these past few years, so I watch Revelation TV etc where they have 'church without walls' on. I just can't seem to get anything started in my life whatsoever. When I watch Christian teaching on the TV, I hear, "Don't move an inch without knowing it's from God and it's His will" and then, "God won't steer a parked car". I am so confused and end up not moving an inch in case it's not God's will. Marriage never happened, children never happened. It's all past me by as I kept waiting on the Lord to 'send a spouse'. Maybe it's never been meant I got married - who knows.

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Too many churches teach things a pastor kinda makes up. But what we really need is all that Christ taught.

So, you want to read that!

Because, as Christ said when tempted,
Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

And every word Christ said is from God (that's far better than any mortal pastor in any church!) --
John 12:49 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it.

So, here's a very good place to start reading what Christ said for you to listen to and gain all you need:

Matthew 4 NIV

The Sermon on the Mount starts in chapter 5. When you get there, slow down and take your time. Some days I might read a passage, but some days even just a few verses are so much I'm entirely full, and need to just dwell with His words!

Mich46 said:

I've been claiming scripture verses and standing on them since I was 18 (I am now 51). I so desperately want change in my life, but things haven't progressed since I was a child. I feel life is quickly passing me by. I am in the same set of circumstances since I was a toddler. I have no family (all dead) and no true friends.

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After doing all to stand, stand. I can fully understand what your talking about praise GOD! Once when I was young 14 or so I always prayed ..still do show me people through your eyes. You know He answered that 15 years later. Put some praise music on and praise Him worship Him.. wait on Him let Him strengthen you for you are strong in the lord in the power of HIs might. You can do all things through Christ Jesus. You have the joy of the lord.. you have the peace of God. So we don't allow doubt to come in. It can be so hard not to look at get stuck on "time".

I paused listening to the song "Braver" by Matthew Parker. Listen to it not by chance its playing as I am typing.

Psa 91 Isa 41:10. I can't stress how worship and praising Him strengthen us. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So He is with you and He heard you.. stand and know something wonderful is about to happen... in Jesus name.

Yes, both I and my extended family have stood on those same verses, (and have seen them fulfilled!)
in this life.
God moves in mysterious ways, but He certainly does move! And you can take that to the bank.

I'd give almost anything to have your ability. It's a blessing.
God will reward you someday but you know sometimes he is slow to move. Wait on him.
God bless you!

Mich46 said:

I've been through four churches in my lifetime and each one I've been abused, bullied and intimidated. I haven't been able to settle in church these past few years, so I watch Revelation TV etc where they have 'church without walls' on. I just can't seem to get anything started in my life whatsoever. When I watch Christian teaching on the TV, I hear, "Don't move an inch without knowing it's from God and it's His will" and then, "God won't steer a parked car". I am so confused and end up not moving an inch in case it's not God's will. Marriage never happened, children never happened. It's all past me by as I kept waiting on the Lord to 'send a spouse'. Maybe it's never been meant I got married - who knows.

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God doesn't want you locked in either. We need to take action according to his guidelines. Satin suppresses. Keep searching for a new church. It's out there.

In my family, on both sides I have wonderful stories that cover several generations, of just how God did exactly what you are asking of Him.
So I can say with confidence, keep on hoping and believing, because this request is NOT greater than God's ability to fulfill.

Women tend to get despondent if they reach the age of 50 and have not married. But I have friends that married after they retired. Hold on to the promises of God. It is impossible for Him to lie. Remind Him of His words.And praise Him. He inhabits the praise of His people. When I was in the seventh grade, my teacher taught us the hymn Count Your Blessings . You have a lot going for yourself,be grateful and thank God for each and ever blessing. You will be amazed at God's love for you. In stead of lamenting about what you missed, rejoice and bless the Lord for your accomplishments. God has not brought you 51 years to abandon you now. He loves you. And maybe, just maybe, He wants you for Himself. Now there is a thought.

Mich46 said:

I've been claiming scripture verses and standing on them since I was 18 (I am now 51). I so desperately want change in my life, but things haven't progressed since I was a child. I feel life is quickly passing me by. I am in the same set of circumstances since I was a toddler. I have no family (all dead) and no true friends.

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Don't be discouraged. Claiming change doesn't make it happen. We can ask God, but He knows how to answer. Pray for His will to be done. There are books and therapists who can teach us how to be friends. However the older we get the harder it is to find a person who doesn't already have a set of friends with whom they are satisfied.

Dale Carnegie wrote a book How to Win Friends and Influence People.
He suggested:
"Don't complain, criticize or condemn."

IOW, be positive and talk about how God has blessed you. Think of horrible things that never happened in you life and thank God for sparing you!

“I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”
- Helen Keller (I think)

1 Thessalonians 5:18
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

What if I woke up tomorrow with only what I thanked God for today?

God bless you with happy thoughts!

Practice being a friend to us on on CF.

Well, if we want to use negative (biblical) psychology, there's seventy x seven instances, which depending on one's circumstances, has a long or short shelf life.