Growing in Christ

EarthMomma · Apr 16, 2006

HE LIVES! HE LIVES! Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me, and talks with me,
Along life's narrow way!

HE LIVES! HE LIVES! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives,
HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART!!!

angelwind · Apr 16, 2006

EarthMomma said:
HE LIVES! HE LIVES! Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me, and talks with me,
Along life's narrow way!

HE LIVES! HE LIVES! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives,
HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART!!!

Amen, Amen and Amen!

Savedsis · Apr 17, 2006

Rejoice, rejoice oh Christian
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal Hallelujoahs to Jesus Christ The King!
THe hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find, none other is so loving, so good and kind....

EarthMomma said:
HE LIVES! HE LIVES! Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me, and talks with me,
Along life's narrow way!

HE LIVES! HE LIVES! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives,
HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART!!!

vasile · Apr 20, 2006

While looking on the Internet for the "Holy Ghost baptism" subject I've came across with this forum and first of all, with this thread. May God bless you Leastone and everyone who read or write here.
I have been very encouraged by your words and I've seen behind them the Spirit of God working in your heart.

I've been encouraged especially by your advice: "Do not give up". The last few months I was very tempted just to give up. It seemed that I had on my brain a cloud and I could not think anymore: confusion, depression, unresponsive, and all kind of similar dispositions.
I've been conscious that I lack faith, love, hope, patience, gratitude...

10) Fall in love with Jesus. If you base your walk with the Lord on your feelings, it will fail. If you base it on your understanding of His Word, it will fail. If you base it on your faith, it will fail. But if you base your walk with the Lord on love, it will succeed. Love never fails. Love establishes a foundation for everything else: trust, confidence, peace, faith, courage, joy. More than anything else, receive His love in your deepest parts and make everything you do a response to that love.
LeastOne

Click to expand...

I quoted the above post just to share all of you the way God had mercy on me. I agree that if I base my walk with the Lord on my faith I will fail, but I just could not find the way to base it on love...
I was just asking and crying: “How can I love you, God?
I love myself, my things, my ways...
I barely love you, if I love you at all.
There is so much love in me, but it is for me.”

I have to do something, I said. What should I do?

I was reading the Word of God, I was praying, I had fellowship with brothers and sisters...
What should I do more?
I thought that I must discipline myself to pray more often and regularly, to study more often the Word of God and to serve the Body of Christ, His Church.
So I did, but more I did, more confused I was.

What should I do now? What should I do to have all the time a clean heart, to love You with all my heart, to obey all Your commands, to serve you in the Spirit, to praise you constantly?

While reading an article I found a verse from John that spoke to me:

They said therefore to him, What should we do that we may work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he has sent. John

Click to expand...

I said then: God I know I have much love for me but little or no love for You but I believe You and Your Word: I believe IN Your Word, Jesus Christ.
I do not want to believe anymore the thoughts that keep coming in my mind. Yet I believe You will give me grace, love, faith and You'll teach me to trust you not my thoughts or Satan's lies.

God begun to move my heart towards Him and He put a song of praise in my heart.
I've tried to praise Him before but I just could not do it. And believe me I tried about one year.

What I understand now is that prayer, reading God's Word, giving praises to God are not effective unless they are based ON faith. I might not see suddenly major changes in my life but I praise Him by faith, I come before Him in prayer by faith and I love Him more and more by faith.
Actually faith and love are so bound together that is very difficult to separate them. I mean the REAL faith and love.

Galatians 5
For we, by the Spirit, on the principle of faith, await the hope of righteousness.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any force, nor uncircumcision;
but faith working through love.

Click to expand...

As Augustine said:
With love, the faith of a Christian; without love, the faith of a devil:

This is my experience but God can touch and move a man in different ways.
Praised be the Lord!

PS: In one of your earlier posts Leastone you mentioned about being baptized by the Holy Spirit. I would like to know more about the subject or your experience. I do not understand the relation (in my life) between Holy Ghost baptism, taking the cross everyday and walking in the Spirit…

EarthMomma · Apr 20, 2006

Dear vasile,
I went through a period of growth in Christ a few years back that left me longing for more things of the spirit. I was not raised to understand all that baptism in the Holy Spirit could mean, but I was hungry, and started seeking, reading the Word and timidly talking to a few Christian friends. Thank God for the divine appointments He put in my path, one of which was a dear friend here on this forum.

I'm so inspired by your testimony and your post here, and know that you will find a closer walk with God through these parts of His body.

As for the Holy Spirit, I suggest a great little book by Fred Price, that was an encouragement for me when I was learning to pray in the spirit. If you can't locate it on the internet, let me know and I'll help you. And feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance, you've sure lifted me tonight.

I trust that others here will bless you with their love of God, and look forward to continued inspiration from you. Your testimony is so full of God's love, it makes me smile. You've taken the trials in your life and counted them for joy I trust, as you see they will bring you into more glory spiritually than you could have ever imagined. That certainly has been my experience: God continues to knock my socks off, He is SO good.

Your sister in Christ,
EarthMomma

Savedsis · Apr 21, 2006

EarthMomma said:
Dear vasile,
I went through a period of growth in Christ a few years back that left me longing for more things of the spirit. I was not raised to understand all that baptism in the Holy Spirit could mean, but I was hungry, and started seeking, reading the Word and timidly talking to a few Christian friends. Thank God for the divine appointments He put in my path, one of which was a dear friend here on this forum.

I'm so inspired by your testimony and your post here, and know that you will find a closer walk with God through these parts of His body.

As for the Holy Spirit, I suggest a great little book by Fred Price, that was an encouragement for me when I was learning to pray in the spirit. If you can't locate it on the internet, let me know and I'll help you. And feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance, you've sure lifted me tonight.

I trust that others here will bless you with their love of God, and look forward to continued inspiration from you. Your testimony is so full of God's love, it makes me smile. You've taken the trials in your life and counted them for joy I trust, as you see they will bring you into more glory spiritually than you could have ever imagined. That certainly has been my experience: God continues to knock my socks off, He is SO good.

Your sister in Christ,
EarthMomma

Good post...My prayers for you that you will find your answers...God bless

EarthMomma · Apr 22, 2006

Thank you savedsis.

Savedsis said:
Good post...My prayers for you that you will find your answers...God bless

I might not have all the answers, but I know the ONE that does, Praise Him!

And He delights me daily with my glory and wonder than I ever can imagine. Isn't He simply grand?

Blessings to you dear sister in Christ,
EarthMomma

Savedsis · Apr 24, 2006

Amen...He does have all the answers...He is all-powerful

EarthMomma said:
Thank you savedsis.

I might not have all the answers, but I know the ONE that does, Praise Him!

And He delights me daily with my glory and wonder than I ever can imagine. Isn't He simply grand?

Blessings to you dear sister in Christ,
EarthMomma

Savedsis · Apr 24, 2006

Look up have hope ....If you are feeling discouraged right now, if your hope is draining low, there is a good chance that you've let some grime accumulate on the surface of your heart..The "how to" of coming clean is clearly outlined in the Bible..You ask God to show you where you are unclean..You repent of your sins, confess them to God, and ask forgiveness. You ask for His help in reconciling with other people..both asking forgiveness and forgiving others...
Sometime the whole process will be a little uncomfortable...Hot water and scrubbing doesn't always feel good, especially if the dirt has been around awhile...(Like any cleaning process, it's easier if it happens every day!)
But remember that wonderful clean feeling you get as a result? Remember the sense that you're finally ready for anything!
It's the way we're meant to live
Rosy, clean and full of hope....

EarthMomma · Apr 24, 2006

Wonderful observations, Savedsis!

I love your scrubbing analogy. Isn't it always better in times of discouragement to go right to God (and avoid the human tendency to cast about looking for someone or something as the cause of the discouragement)!

Savedsis said:
Look up have hope ....If you are feeling discouraged right now, if your hope is draining low, there is a good chance that you've let some grime accumulate on the surface of your heart..The "how to" of coming clean is clearly outlined in the Bible..You ask God to show you where you are unclean..You repent of your sins, confess them to God, and ask forgiveness. You ask for His help in reconciling with other people..both asking forgiveness and forgiving others...
Sometime the whole process will be a little uncomfortable...Hot water and scrubbing doesn't always feel good, especially if the dirt has been around awhile...(Like any cleaning process, it's easier if it happens every day!)
But remember that wonderful clean feeling you get as a result? Remember the sense that you're finally ready for anything!
It's the way we're meant to live
Rosy, clean and full of hope....

I have truly learned in my older age to look for the glory, to count it for joy, when things are hard, knowing that God is working on and in me, and the quicker I get right to Him to discuss it, the quicker He cleans me up!

Bless you dear one,
EarthMomma

vasile · Apr 25, 2006

EarthMomma said:
Dear vasile,
I went through a period of growth in Christ a few years back that left me longing for more things of the spirit. I was not raised to understand all that baptism in the Holy Spirit could mean, but I was hungry, and started seeking, reading the Word and timidly talking to a few Christian friends. Thank God for the divine appointments He put in my path, one of which was a dear friend here on this forum.

I'm so inspired by your testimony and your post here, and know that you will find a closer walk with God through these parts of His body.

As for the Holy Spirit, I suggest a great little book by Fred Price, that was an encouragement for me when I was learning to pray in the spirit. If you can't locate it on the internet, let me know and I'll help you. And feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance, you've sure lifted me tonight.

I trust that others here will bless you with their love of God, and look forward to continued inspiration from you. Your testimony is so full of God's love, it makes me smile. You've taken the trials in your life and counted them for joy I trust, as you see they will bring you into more glory spiritually than you could have ever imagined. That certainly has been my experience: God continues to knock my socks off, He is SO good.

Your sister in Christ,
EarthMomma

Dear sister,

I praise the Lord for His work in your heart.

While searching on Internet for "Fred Price" I've came across with Ever Increasing Faith Ministries website.
I suppose that Fred Price is the same with Frederick K.C. Price as seen on the website.

Thank you for the book you suggested me. I do not doubt that you've been encouraged by reading it. It's only that many times good teaching can contain false teaching which is not evident, at first sight.

Reading on this website and some other websites I've realized that some of Mr. Fred Price teachings are not in line with the Scripture.

I mention just one:

Now this is a shocker! But God has to be given permission to work in this earth realm on behalf of man....Yes! You are in control! So if man has control, who no longer has it? God..... (Frederick Price Quoted from - “Christianity in Crisis” by H. Hanegraaff, 1993)

I agree that God works through our prayers but HE IS STILL IN CONTROL!!!

The Prosperity Gospel is a strange Gospel, to put it nicely. There are not many years since my country was under Communism Regime. Mainly, the only prosperous men have been the ones who agreed to collaborate with the Communists and the Secret Police, the ones who agreed to denounce other people for their belief, who were compromised...

There have been many Christians who paid for their faith in prison, they were beaten, their property confiscated and their family deported in the middle of nowhere. They were even put to death. They were given the worst paid jobs but many of them praised the Lord for all these.

They were poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the eyes of God.

Nevertheless, God covered the needs of all His beloved children.

Psalm 37:25

I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.

In your country you have been blessed spiritually and materially but it seems that many think God is waiting to our disposition, like a slave at the master's feet, and not us being to God's disposition.

As Leastone said:

The Lord will never get in line with us; we must always get in line with Him.

...in health or disease, in wealth or needs, in death or life.

May God bless you and give you His wisdom among this multitude of so called Scriptural teachings.

leastone · Apr 25, 2006

Hi Vasile:

I am not sure exactly what you desire to know about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I am sure there are many others who have far more knowledge than I, but I will do my best to write as the Spirit leads.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is one of those blessings meant to increase and enhance our spiritual experience and knowledge of the Lord; however, as with any powerful spiritual gift, it is one that the enemy especially fears, and so he has stirred up all kinds of controversy and confusion about it within the church.

As with all the things of God, this gift is received only in faith and then, only from the Lord - a truth not always understood it seems. There is a huge difference between magic and miracle, something that is rarely acknowledged, if even recognized, by many modern "spiritual" Christians (at least here in America. And as you so rightly imply, the truth that "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" is equally ignored in some currently 'popular' interpretations of the Gospel.

Anyway, although traditionally this baptism is bestowed by the "laying on of hands", in truth this is not really necessary. Since this gift is given by the Lord Jesus, not by men, all that is needed to receive it is a true faith in the heart of the believer, ie., a soft and receptive heart: the same that is needed to receive anything from God. Probably the greatest single benefit to the believer of the increased sensitivity to the spirit that often results from this baptism is "praying in the spirit" or "praying in tongues", another powerful gift and therefore one rigorously attacked by the enemy as well.

My own initial experience was a long time ago, and was surrounded by some of the most intense spiritual activity (in a negative sense) that I have ever been involved in.

After she had received this baptism, my wife had been praying with a group of friends for me to also seek and receive this gift; I was completely unaware of all of this at the time however. Anyway, I begin to have all kinds of strange things happen to and around me...the most memorable occurred the morning of the day I finally received the baptism: I was sitting alone at our dining room table when a voice began screaming over and over in my ear such things as, "God wants your heart! So cut it out and give it to Him!" And I could "see" a butcher knife (that I knew was in our kitchen) floating in front of me. This was all so vivid that I was really afraid to even move, feeling that if I did that I wouldn't be able to stop myself from carrying out what the voice was yelling at me. I knew absolutely nothing about "the spirit world" at the time, but I knew enough to realize the source of this attack...I just didn't know what to do. But the Lord was using all of this to draw me closer to Him, which it definitely did.

Even afterwards we went through several onslaughts from the enemy...manifestations of demons, books flying off the bookcase, and other weird stuff - all in the attempt to frighten us away...but praise God for His tremendous love for His children, He graced us with several powerful demonstrations of His Spirit operating through us (by bringing appropriate Scripture to our mouths as we needed it) that more than countered what the enemy was throwing at us.

In short, the baptism of (or in) the Spirit can be a time of great spiritual insight and power in, for and through the spirit of the believer. As always however, it is meant to lead us to a closer relationship with our amazing and wonderful Lord Jesus.

LeastOne

EarthMomma · Apr 25, 2006

Thank you Leastone for a powerful and inspiring testimony.

And thank you vasile. I don't know about other teachings you have referred to of Fred Price, all I've read is the short book that is his testimony of seeking and receiving baptism in the Holy Spirit. And as Leastone has pointed out, praying in the spirit (or singing in the spirit) is very controversial among many denominational organizations here. For example, the Southern Baptist Convention prohibits the use of missionaries to foreign countries who pray in the spirit.

We are blessed with many religious freedoms here. But as with the pharisees in the times of Jesus, religion isn't always about knowing God. We are also cursed with a spirit of religion.

I do thank you for your testimony and your comments and remain inspired by your search. In my humble opinion, God desires us to be close to Him, to love Him more than anything else, more than life itself. And in my personal experience, as I've drawn close to Him (by the faith that He alone gave me, for it is not rational nor logical), He has revealed such power and such glory, and has guided me through His Word into a spiritual walk that I didn't even imagine was possible. And I have no doubt that there's so much more to come.

I do apologize if I've wasted your time, but I thank you as well, for you've made me think, and I will look more into Rev. Price's teachings. I had no idea some labeled him as a prosperity teacher, and don't know the context of the quote you've provided.

I really know that I don't have all the answer, but remain confident in the trials I encounter that I know the ONE that does. He's never left me nor forsaken me. And I delight in Him every minute of the day!

May God bless you,
EarthMomma

vasile · Apr 26, 2006

Thank you Leastone for sharing your experience.
I grew up in a Baptist church where I did not hear much about the work of the Holy Spirit.
We knew that when we believe in Jesus Christ the Spirit of God comes and dwell in our hearts but I've never heard, as far as I can remember, what "Spirit filled life" means and how to enter into this fullness.

At this time I do not attend anymore a Baptist church but I have fellowship with a group of brothers and sisters, waiting for the Lord to teach and lead us by His Spirit during the meetings and our everyday life.

EarthMomma you did not waste my time, not at all. Actually I've found many useful things and I've been encouraged by your testimony, too.
During my search I've found an article by David Wilkerson whom I highly appreciate because of his heart longing for Jesus Christ.

www(dot)intotruth.org/dev/reproach.htm

and another link about Fred Price

www(dot)letusreason.org/Wf27.htm

( Please change (dot) with "." because I'm not able to post links. )

I'm amazed how many people listen and follow such "popular" men and teachings. I know one thing: the Cross of Jesus Christ is neither "popular" nor "modern". It's death for the flesh but life for our spirit.

Vasile

angelwind · Apr 26, 2006

I think this is very true...the Cross of Jesus Christ is neither popular nor modern. It's death for the flesh but life for the spirit.

I've seen it working in my life...but recently I think the Lord is asking me to open my heart for more of Him...thru His cross...deeper death to self and my own will...He is preparing my heart because I just don't want to be deceived again...I was very deceived in the beginning of my walk with Him 30 years ago...

brinny · Apr 26, 2006

THat is soooo true. God prompts us more and more to venture out of our 'comfort zones'...which is a form of 'dying' to the flesh.

Oh I feeel da pain at times...n' it be hurtin''....whew wheeee! Lord help me cuz me flesh be puttin' up a big ol' fight sometimes....

Praise Him for His grace, and that He has ALREADY equipped us to engage in this battle, amen? He is soooo good!

Pilgrim1951 · Apr 26, 2006

I am so encouraged by these posts about the Cross. I believe that the church is entering into the fellowship of His suffering. He is asking us to die daily and take up our cross and follow Him. Where He is leading us is way, way out of our comfort zones. He is bringing turmoil, struggle, sorrow into lives as a proving ground. This is where we either become offended by Him and what He is doing (or allowing) in our lives and turn away, or we will say, "I am going to follow my Lord where He leads by His grace and mercy no matter what." When I used to pray, weeping, "God, more of You and less of me." "Lord, make me a vessel of Your love." I had no idea, (I'm certain I still don't) what He may bring about in my life to answer those prayers, to bring the kind of brokenness it will take in His body, to see the the church we read about in Acts become a reality here and now. He told us that they would know that we are disciples because of the love we have for one another. I am seeing that happening in the church I now attend. It must be happening in others all over the country. I am beginning to see it in this forum. Halleuiah!

brinny · Apr 26, 2006

Amen! I lift me, you, and every dear soul engaging in this battle, to Abba, our Rock and Fortress and a very present help in times of trouble.

It reminds me of this song...

"I'll Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns

angelwind · Apr 26, 2006

brinny said:
THat is soooo true. God prompts us more and more to venture out of our 'comfort zones'...which is a form of 'dying' to the flesh.

Oh I feeel da pain at times...n' it be hurtin''....whew wheeee! Lord help me cuz me flesh be puttin' up a big ol' fight sometimes....

Praise Him for His grace, and that He has ALREADY equipped us to engage in this battle, amen? He is soooo good!

Praise the Lord...you are making me laugh at myself...yes, my flesh puts up a big fight...but...He always causes me to triumph in Him...

brinny · Apr 26, 2006

haha I'm glad you understand I'm glad we're all in this together and that our Leader, the One Who goes before us is our Abba. :clao:

Oh, here's the lyrics to the song "I'll Praise You In This Storm"

I'll Praise You In THis Storm

..was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

~Casting Crowns

I loooove it! Humming it now.

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