i dont know anymore.

[Pilgrim1951]

If you go back and re-read your post you can see the problem is obviously rooted in selfishness. This is the reason you receive nothing of the Lord, who is our Source of strength. Uproot the the spirit of selfishness, which is leavening your religious experience, and God's Spirit will address itself to your heart

People who are not engaged in unselfish labor have a sickly experience, and become worn out with struggling, doubting, murmuring, sinning, and repenting, until they lose all sense as to what constitutes genuine Christianity.

Selfishness always blinds and deceives. Selfishness is contrary to the spirit of Christianity and utimately brings spiritual death.

Try curtailing some of your own plans, and help those who are struggling.

We are all selfish deep down. Only Christ formed in us is unselfish. At least the young man is honestly asking questions, and searching. You seem to think you have all the answers. You remind me of Job's "friends". Look to your own heart, sir.

 

[Pilgrim1951]

Repent and Believe, I regretted my post almost immediately after I sent it regarding your post to Endure2. I must ask you to forgive me for my meanness. I reacted emotionally and defensively and I am sorry for that. I felt you had been harsh with our brother, so I lashed out at you. I hope you will not hold it against me.

 

[repentandbelieve]

Repent and Believe, I regretted my post almost immediately after I sent it regarding your post to Endure2. I must ask you to forgive me for my meanness. I reacted emotionally and defensively and I am sorry for that. I felt you had been harsh with our brother, so I lashed out at you. I hope you will not hold it against me.

No offense taken Pilgrim. It is wrong to indulge in a spirit of sharp criticism. There is no virtue in offending someone with the Truth. We should never expose another's wrongs unless it is a positive necessity.

You were also right in saying that we are all selfish. Our pride, selfishness, evil passions, and love of worldly pleasure must all be overcome through Gods strength and grace. There is great need of self-examination and private prayer. God has promised wisdom to those who ask Him.

 

[Endure2]

repentandbelieve

as for your first post, thats easy for you to say, this sucks and i dont care what anyone says, my struggles mean enough to me to make me confident in how i am, you can call me what you want... the pain and things ive gone through mean more to me.
your words can be as shallow as water spilt and just as meaningless, this sadness and pain i feel runs deep, so you tell me, who should i listen to?
misplaced idealism has been a stumbling block and harrassment to many people.

i would say if you want help me youve chosen the wrong device, but im not looking for your help.


holo,
thankyou.


angelwind
thankyou, that still means alot to me.




as of now, i dont know how to believe in God, i think i created him in my mind, but i am desiring him to be real, becuase i need him, and i dont know how to live any other way of life, hes all ive ever known and the closest friend ive ever had, i just know where hes gone, i dont know if its real or not... but i dont want to change now.
if hes real, i hope he finds me and saves me from this.
if hes real, please pray for me.

Lee.

 

[angelwind]

repentandbelieve

as for your first post, thats easy for you to say, this sucks and i dont care what anyone says, my struggles mean enough to me to make me confident in how i am, you can call me what you want... the pain and things ive gone through mean more to me.
your words can be as shallow as water spilt and just as meaningless, this sadness and pain i feel runs deep, so you tell me, who should i listen to?
misplaced idealism has been a stumbling block and harrassment to many people.

i would say if you want help me youve chosen the wrong device, but im not looking for your help.


holo,
thankyou.


angelwind
thankyou, that still means alot to me.




as of now, i dont know how to believe in God, i think i created him in my mind, but i am desiring him to be real, becuase i need him, and i dont know how to live any other way of life, hes all ive ever known and the closest friend ive ever had, i just know where hes gone, i dont know if its real or not... but i dont want to change now.
if hes real, i hope he finds me and saves me from this.
if hes real, please pray for me.

Lee.

I have been praying for you...hang in there young man. God is for you, not against you...even if you can't see him right now.

 

[repentandbelieve]

repentandbelieve

as for your first post, thats easy for you to say, this sucks and i dont care what anyone says, my struggles mean enough to me to make me confident in how i am, you can call me what you want... the pain and things ive gone through mean more to me.
your words can be as shallow as water spilt and just as meaningless, this sadness and pain i feel runs deep, so you tell me, who should i listen to?
misplaced idealism has been a stumbling block and harrassment to many people.

i would say if you want help me youve chosen the wrong device, but im not looking for your help.


holo,
thankyou.


angelwind
thankyou, that still means alot to me.




as of now, i dont know how to believe in God, i think i created him in my mind, but i am desiring him to be real, becuase i need him, and i dont know how to live any other way of life, hes all ive ever known and the closest friend ive ever had, i just know where hes gone, i dont know if its real or not... but i dont want to change now.
if hes real, i hope he finds me and saves me from this.
if hes real, please pray for me.

Lee.

There are causes for the present coldness and unbelief you are experiencing. The love of the world and the cares of life separate the soul from God. Doubt and unbelief are exercising their baleful influence over your mind and heart.

Put away your distrust of our heavenly Father. Instead of talking of your doubts, break away from them in the strength of Jesus, and let light shine into your soul by letting your voice express confidence and trust in God. Doubts will rush into your mind, because Satan is trying to hold you in captivity to his cruel power; but face him in the strength that Jesus is willing to give you, and conquer the inclination to express unbelief in your Saviour. When despair seems to be sweeping over your soul, look to Jesus, saying, He lives to make intercession for me. Forget the things that are behind, and believe the promise, "I will come to you," and "abide with you."

By living faith you are to trust Him, even though the impulse is strong within you to speak words of distrust. We should not dishonor Him by doubting His love. The feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross, or it will poison the springs of life.

 

[Dexx]

Lets boil it down to basics. Please forgive my bluntness. I may be completely wrong. Is your greatest struggle with lust and touching yourself?

yes it was.
that was what i could never truely definitly stop.

but... though i dont want to be the tradegy in a christian story be the example of what not to be, and i hope these people are still my frends,
untill God finds me one day and shows me diffrent with more than words, im not a christian anymore and im not going to let this bother me anymore.

I just want to clarify before commenting further; was your reply here in response to my question? Or were you replying to someone else?

 

[Endure2]

dexx

yes it was to you.

repentandbelieve

i wont choose to do this when i honestly dont know if its real and cant trust it.
thats the wrong order of things.

angelwind

thankyou for your words and prayers.

 

[crossrunner]

I'm praying for you Endure. Its all I can do. I thank God that He can do so much more. I pray that you find peace.
Meanwhile...keep yourself in the Word of God. Continue to read and pray and don't let the devil get a foothold into your life. he comes to kill, steal and destroy. I feel in my soul that you are in the midst of an unseen spiritual battle. Please put on the full armor of God. Stay in His Word (faith comes by hearing the Word of God) and continue to pray. God hears your prayers. God bless you brother.

 

[Dexx]

dexx
yes it was to you.

OK. Let me start by saying; ive seen more young men fall from faith due to lust and touching yourself that via any other issue. The killer is not the lust itself, but the young man's fixation on the lust - which separates him from God.

Perspective; 90% of young Christian men touch. Some of these dont think alot about it. They either dont see it as sinful or they dont see it as important. Others of the 90% recognise that it is unpleasing to God, but they hand it over to Him and they dont let it get in the way of their relationship with Christ.

The remaining percentage go through Hell. They continuously struggle with lust. They agonise over their failings and consider themselves to be worms before God. They repent and they fall over and over. This process paralyses their Christian growth and scars them spiritually and psychologically. Eventually, many of these give up on God because they can no longer handle the pain of failure and the loathing they feel for themselves. They project this sense of loathing onto their relationship with God. When this happens, Satan has won.

So what do you do? The primary issue is not the sin itself. It is your obsession with it. Rather than agonising over how bad a sinner you are; simply pray to the Lord "God i wish to live righteously. I do not want sin to reign over me. I give this issue to you and pray that you will renew my mind".

A step you can take is to, as much as is practical, avoid exposing yourself to material which will entice you. But they key is - if you fall - pray for forgiveness and then forget it. Move on. Dont dwell on it or it will fester. If you fall to lust 3 times in one day, ask forgiveness and get on with life. It is God who is the author and finisher of our faith. It is he who makes us a new creation in Christ. It is he who will clense us of all unrighteousness.

Here is a website that you may find helpful: http://www.battleplanministries.org/

 

[Adol]

Hi endure. I think it might be a good idea to read testimonies of other people. They'll show you that God is real and that He's working in the lives of petty, insignificant humans. I'm praying for you.

 

[Endure2]

guys, ive changed, im just not a christian anymore, i just cant believe it anymore becuase if God is real, hes so far away from me. though i dont want to argue about that. he certainly hasnt answered my prayers to reassure me of his reality that i pray in my times of doubt and fear.

ill be joining the army soon, and ill probly be in basic training in about a month.
so, im glad i met you all and best of luck with your lives.

Lee.

 

[angelwind]

I don't know what has happened to you Endure2...but it is not over yet. May the God I belive in guard you as you go forth into life...keeping you under His eye...angelwind...

 

[IKTCA]

Brother Lee,

Whether you call yourself a believer or not, you are still a dear brother to me for I still remember the fellowship we had here, not considering it a shame to reveal our innermost feelings, but a privilege to share them with each other, for mutual encouragement and growth.

I ask you to drop me a line every now and then. The army life is full of peril these days. Knowing you are safe will be an assurance of the Lord's mercy.

Rupert

 

[Pilgrim1951]

Lee, you have always been such a blessing to me and many others in this forum. I know you don't believe it right now, because you aren't certain what you believe anymore, but I choose to believe that you will find your way back to God, because He loves you and is merciful. God bless you, son. As you go into the military, I am praying for your safe return, both physical and spiritual. Pilgrim

 

[Endure2]

now i feel so bad...

if God is real i hope i find him for good.
lee.

 

[angelwind]

now i feel so bad...

if God is real i hope i find him for good.
lee.

I just keep praying for you...please keep posting if you can. God loves you,

 

[crossrunner]

now i feel so bad...

if God is real i hope i find him for good.
lee.

Instead of looking for him...why not surrender yourself to Him (because He is with you! He said that He would never leave you or forsake you) and let Him love you! Recieve His love!!!

God bless you.

 

[repentandbelieve]

now i feel so bad...

if God is real i hope i find him for good.
lee.

Congratulations on your decision to join the Army Endure. It will provide an opportunity for you to obtain a genuine experience in the principles of the truth as it is in Jesus.

I'm praying that the obstacles, provocations, and hardships you meet will prove to be great blessings in your live rather than curses. Great characters are built amid hardships and trials. But they must be received as practical lessons in the school of Christ. More than one soldier has experienced a "foxhole conversion".

Good Luck and may God bless you. Your open apostasy is no more offensive to God than hypocrasy or mere formal worship.

 

[Endure2]

surrender myself to him blindly?
i dont even know whether or not any of its real, thought i lean toward believing its not...
im not going to just fall in line and doit regardless.
i cant see any reason in that. if its real, certainly theres a better way.