getting back...

[Gear853]

i believe in Jesus and the lord all my life, perhaps there was a time i drifted away from them - but i want to get back, i want to be a better person. i found so much wrong in me that I'm just not sure how to!

I been reading this book, my girlfriend suggest that i should read it. You might have heard of it. "I Kissed Dating Good Bye" By Joshua Harris

which i absolutely loved. but... this chapter, i just finished reading. have got me tons of question.

he talk about repent for our sin. he said "For Sinners Like You and Me, there's on better news. We Can Be Forgiven. Every man and woman who believe on Jesus can be Cleansed - no matter how dark the stain of sin"

it just seem so easy. surely there must be more to it! just by believing... no action on my own two feets?

i want to start a new, a better person, and a better christian. advice is very welcome...

Sorry for my possible bad grammer. English isn't my first language...

 

[BeLedbyHisSpirit]

Hi Gear853,

God is so amazing, isn't He? It's just too tremendous for words. I know how you feel!

I wish to answer one or two of your questions.

First, only the Spirit of God is able to have done in you what you are now demonstrating - that is, that you are able to see into the spirit realm. You see your sin and how it has affected your character to its roots. This is an excellent work of the Holy Spirit in you, that has done this. So, I am very thankful on your behalf.

Second, and this is something you need to get into your head, so that you will not have grief and burdens - you need not worry about your sins any longer! Your whole sinful person, has been dealt with by the Cross of Jesus!

This means, that you must come to realize (and in time you will more and more), that you are not ever able to satisfy God in your own strength, or works, or good efforts. AND..... God knows this and does not want you to try! He wants you to abandon yourself, exclusively into believing in Jesus, His Son, and never, never go elsewhere.

Faith, Faith, Faith.... means trusting God.

You can rejoice that God wants to declare to the whole evil world, that the world is not able to do what God Himself has done, and has voided any methods whatsoever, outside of FAITH IN HIS SON, JESUS!

I would love to write, or more literally, TALK with you for hours about the Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit, but I do encourage you to get this very small book written by a Chinese man, Watchman Nee, who was jailed and tortured for 20 years in a Chinese prison for his faith in Jesus, and died in prison in 1972. This book is extremely helpful for people like yourself who have revelation knowledge about their self and wanting to please God.

You can order it from Amazon . com... and it is very cheap, like $5. Here, I'll go grab the link for you. Also, read the other people's reviews of this little book on the site. Book is titled "Sit, Walk, Stand".

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0842358935/qid=1152588307/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-0153627-7814321?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Bless you,

In Christ!

 

[PETE_]

It is such an easy thing, and yet so many find it impossible. To know Him is truely wonderful. This little book has blessed me and will be such a comfort to anyone seeking know Him. It free to download as a little book, and is full of practical advice from a mere cook who loved God toyally.


The Practice Of The Presence Of God
[FONT=Verdana, sans serif]Conversations and Letters
of Brother Lawrencehttp://www.practicegodspresence.com/...nce/index.html[/FONT]

In this small book, through letters and conversations, Brother Lawrence simply and beautifully explains how to continually walk with God - not from the head but from the heart. Brother Lawrence left the gift of a way of life available to anyone who seeks to know God's peace and presence; that anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, can practice -anywhere, anytime. Brother Lawrence also left the gift of a direct approach to living in God's presence that is as practical today as it was three hundred years ago

 

[Catholic Wife]

I read this book and thought it was great. As for God's forgiveness, it's all true. If you repent of your sins and ask for forgiveness, it will be given to you. Jesus gave us this message many times in the Gospels, which was echoed in the rest of the New Testament. Here are a few examples:


Matthew 7:7-8
Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."


Matthew 21:22
Jesus replied, "... Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive."


John 15:7
Jesus said, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you."

 

[TrustingmyLord]

Recently someone put it to me like this;

Imagine a prison filled with prisoners. A guard walks in, opens the doors and tells them that the governor has just pardoned them all. They are free to go.

But not all of them leave, not all are ready to accept this "free gift." Some say they dont believe in a governor, they want to see this man for themselves before they will believe the news. Others begin to straighten up their prison cell, hoping to "earn" there way out.

That is what is so amazing about God, Christianity and all that it entails. Due to Jesus' work on the cross, we are all really pardoned. We are free. No matter the sin. But we must accept this free gift, accept this forgiveness, that is all. It really is that simple.

I drifted away once too, for a long time I had forgotten about God, silly as it sounds. He welcomed me back with open arms. He changed me! I am a new person! It didnt happen overnight, of course, but the more I trusted him, the more he showed me that I could. He helped me to be kinder to others, through him I find myself wanting to do good and help others, where as before, my life was all about ME and what I wanted. It took time, as it does for all, I assume, but slowly he is shaping me and molding me into the person he wants me to be. I have found a peace, inner happiness, such love, that I never really knew before. Once I felt so empty. no more. He is all I will ever want or need.

All you have to do is believe and accept this gift.

After that, to become a new person, to start anew, you must give yourself to God, let him use you, let him mold you. Trust him to guide you in all that you do. Live for him. We can do nothing good on our own, it is all through him. We cannot try to do things on our own, we will fail. We must trust him for everything, he will not let you down.

I am so happy for you that God is touching your heart! I pray that he will fill you will his love and peace!

 

[angelfood]

I think your desire to start anew and your belief is all it takes. The only catch is to let go of your old sinful ways. Good Luck!

 

[Gear853]

Thanks for all the reply, i am trying to be a better person. the first one on the list is stop swearing, even in my thinking! it's so hard. everytime i do it, i do a little prayer and say "i'm trying my best, i am"

it's getting better, and better thru out the day...

 

[WashedClean]

Thanks for all the reply, i am trying to be a better person. the first one on the list is stop swearing, even in my thinking! it's so hard. everytime i do it, i do a little prayer and say "i'm trying my best, i am"

it's getting better, and better thru out the day...

Hello - let me tell you a secret... You won't be able to do this in your own strength. Until you surrender yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Spirit in, you will keep trying and failing. I know, I've been there. Even now that I have the Holy Spirit within me, I still mess up. But Jesus picks me up and comforts me as long as I repent and ask for his forgiveness.

Invite Jesus into your life and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. Tell him you want to start over with Him as your Lord and He will send His Holy Spirit to help and comfort you.

Please PM me if you want to hear more. God bless you on your journey my friend.

Because He Lives,

Jill/WashedClean

 

[Robskiwarrior]

I think its one of the hardest things, Yahuweh made it soo easy for us we try and over complicate it, because there MUST be a "catch" nothing can be that easy...

But you know what...

IT IS!!

 

[BeLedbyHisSpirit]

Hello - let me tell you a secret... You won't be able to do this in your own strength. Until you surrender yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Spirit in, you will keep trying and failing. I know, I've been there. Even now that I have the Holy Spirit within me, I still mess up. But Jesus picks me up and comforts me as long as I repent and ask for his forgiveness.

Invite Jesus into your life and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. Tell him you want to start over with Him as your Lord and He will send His Holy Spirit to help and comfort you.

Please PM me if you want to hear more. God bless you on your journey my friend.

Because He Lives,

Jill/WashedClean

Jill said correctly, that you will never be able to do it in your own strength (your soulical abilities).

And she subltely makes reference to something that is so very important - you need to ask God to give you the filling of the Holy Spirit, to aid you on your Way.

If necessary, I will outline the numerous places in the New Testament about the distinction of being Born Again (Born of the Spirit, made anew), and the Filling of the Spirit (A different thing, like getting anointing power and a deeper sense of the Spirit Life).

So, if you are not yet Filled with the Spirit (usual evidence is praying in tongues and prophesy), then seek God about this, just as Paul told everyone to seek the spiritual gifts.

Here's one, just to emphasize the point:

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
Acts 8:15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 8:17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.


These were born again believers in Jesus, who had also been water baptized, but had not yet received the Holy Spirit (as Christ had foretold to His Apostles BEFORE His resurrection. [See Luke 24:49])