Maturity

[HumbleUnderdog]

I've come to the point now with my 8 month old relationship with God where I ask him multiple times throughout the day to be my thoughts, my words, my attitude and behaviour, my wisdom, etc. I can't believe how far I've already come. Though I did grow up in the church, I basically forgot most of what I was taught, yet the more I grow in Christ, the more I have praises and deep deep thoughts in my mind, only to find out that in Psalms, that David felt the same and thought the same. I've been finding verses that I've never read or heard before with commandments that I'm already doing, usually it's the other way around isn't it? I come across Proverbs written by the wisest person who ever lived (not including Jesus), thoughts that I came up with, and they match that of Solomon's. And to think that a year ago I couldn't interpret a little kids poem to save my life.

I can't believe that a year ago I was planning on how to kill myself, and hated church. Now I'm applying to bible college to become a pastor, and God has blessed me with plenty of wisdom already, wisdom that I never had before I knew Him. He continues to give me wisdom each day, and my thoughts get deeper and deeper. Makes me wonder where I'll be a year from now, or 10 years from now. Will I be 10 times more mature in Christ, and 10 times wiser? I don't know but I can't wait to see who I am in 10 years.

So where are you in your maturity and relationship with God right now?

 

[aldar]

thats awesome man, keep it up.
me? hmm....im just in a place where im comfortable with my spirituality and dont worry about it much, i believe im in the right place, i believe this is significant becuase everywhere you look you find people "seeking" something they dont have, something they feel insecure about, answers to questions they cant or feel unworthy to answer themselves, the next big fix for their issue, more self-help, people are just broken, weak people, not strong self sufficient competent people on their own.
im not being critical of other people, but i see people who are grown adults and their seeking for so much help in their lives, i think to myself and say "i dont want to be that way" becuase for me, i believe part of being a man is being strong and competent, responsible, and can lead and take care of a family, having your issues under control, physically and emotionally.
i know alot of people arent like me, this is just how i feel. i think emotion can be a stumbling block if you cant control it, i believe in dealing what you know, fixing the problem, mental fortitude, emotions can be a downward slide that gets out of control ends up turning you into someone that isnt even you, and certainly isnt ready and able to deal with problems, not when your an emotional mess that cant think clearly or believe in themselves.

 

[capnator]

The more time I spend with God and in his word, the more I am realising that I cannot trust myself even one little bit!

And Right on humbleunderdog I too have to ask God multiple times every day to guide my thoughts, desires and actions as well!

I've found that my Christian experience hasn't been like a bolt of lightning out of the blue but rather like a sunrise, slowly the darkness being rolled back and the Light of Christ shining ever brighter in my life.

 

[aldar]

well, like i said i can only speak for myself.
but as for me, thats a terrible outcome, how would God want me to feel like that? I wouldn't want my children, my loved ones, or anyone to have that kind of belief.
It effects so many other areas in my life, if taken the wrong way it can lead to self-defeating fatalistic attitude towards life. people who don't have the willpower and strength to stand up and challenge life. Though i understand that your refering to helplessness outside of God..not helplessness period.
As for me, i do not believe we are helpless without God, we can do many things and anything we put our minds to, non-christian people do it everyday through mental fortitude and discipline in their lives to accomplish their objective. Look and the amazing athletes singers etc who are simply outstanding, the amount of discipline in those peoples lives, not becuase of faith in God. Michael bolton actually taught himself how to breath out his mouth and in and out his nose at the same time, so he can blow in an instrument for hours and hours without stopping. Movies like the last samuria or fearless that arent just movies made up from complete fiction... depict what we have within ourselves and what we can do if are willing to make the sacrifice.
though i would agree you certainly cant get to heavon without God.
But im not at odds with you, we each have our own opinions, awesome man.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I've come to the point now with my 8 month old relationship with God where I ask him multiple times throughout the day to be my thoughts, my words, my attitude and behaviour, my wisdom, etc. I can't believe how far I've already come. Though I did grow up in the church, I basically forgot most of what I was taught, yet the more I grow in Christ, the more I have praises and deep deep thoughts in my mind, only to find out that in Psalms, that David felt the same and thought the same. I've been finding verses that I've never read or heard before with commandments that I'm already doing, usually it's the other way around isn't it? I come across Proverbs written by the wisest person who ever lived (not including Jesus), thoughts that I came up with, and they match that of Solomon's. And to think that a year ago I couldn't interpret a little kids poem to save my life.

I can't believe that a year ago I was planning on how to kill myself, and hated church. Now I'm applying to bible college to become a pastor, and God has blessed me with plenty of wisdom already, wisdom that I never had before I knew Him. He continues to give me wisdom each day, and my thoughts get deeper and deeper. Makes me wonder where I'll be a year from now, or 10 years from now. Will I be 10 times more mature in Christ, and 10 times wiser? I don't know but I can't wait to see who I am in 10 years.

So where are you in your maturity and relationship with God right now?

Awesome. I mostly feel like I'm never mature b/c I always feel His huge presence (that's something I've done for years is to always keep His presence in mind, cause it's there whether we acknowledge it or not) and now I'm always aware of Him. And that gives me all and everything I need for every part of the day. Someone always near to confess my mistakes from one second to the next

 

[looksgood]

LOL, Maturity is very interesting. I am glad your having such a wonderful time and it is true that God gives wisdom to us. I remember saying things and later finding them in scripture myself.

I think if ever we get to a place of comfort then we have missed the boat. We do not belong here and there is always more fruits we can yield. I had to learn from 3 years of darkness AFTER I got saved how that we truely never are totaly mature.

Those however who are older should take up the call to lead others. That is where I am. I am knowing I am weak and poor, yet knowing who to go to and bringing others with me.

 

[abigale]

I find that ignoring the bad behavior of immature individuals while promoting good behavior has excellent results with those trying to grow in Christ (not so with them that ain't)

 

[aldar]

looksgood,
well thats cool man, though i dont think ive missed anything, and certainly theres more to gain and it will happen in due time as i do what i ought to, but I refuse to let myself fall into some hole of despair and mentally take the position of weakness and frailty by my own choice so im not happy with myself or my life and dont believe i deserve such, to gain those things.
certainly God intended for better than that, its a poor way to live. If God believes in me, then I can believe in me. I dont believe God requires such debasing of ourselves in order to give us what he wants us to have.
I think that would selfish of me to require that of people, and God wouldn't require that of me.
I don't think we should think about about ourselves in any except in the highest regards, im a good person, im doing the best i can to do whats right arent i? then im a good person and i wont say im anything else.

 

[looksgood]

looksgood,
well thats cool man, though i dont think ive missed anything, and certainly theres more to gain and it will happen in due time as i do what i ought to, but I refuse to let myself fall into some hole of despair and mentally take the position of weakness and frailty by my own choice so im not happy with myself or my life and dont believe i deserve such, to gain those things.

There is much more to gain to be sure. One thing I have learned is that being weak does not mean being defeated. I don't place myself in a pit of despair when I see myself as poor and filthy. I place myself instead in the hand of God who gives me HIS riches and HIS clean garments.

It is no despare to know we would have nothing and be nothing without God. It is joy because we know our redeamer picks us up.

But I think this understanding does come with expiriance which will make one humble. I said before I went through 3 years of wondering where God was. That time let me know that without God I may be able to put on a show for the world but in light of eternity I am nothing. It caused me to become glad in the fact that when I am weak I am strong!

The verses I have lived in my own life regaurding this are these:

2 Corinthians 12:9-11
John 19:10-12
1 Corinthians 1:26-28

and many more.

 

[aldar]

well thats cool if you feel that way, i wont attack anyones beliefs.
im just going to stick with not being weak and filthy at all. I feel thats not a very secure place for my sense of self worth, (something that i have learned over time is very important). I understand what you mean and where your coming from, its not a new idea to me, i just have a slightly diffrent perception of the scriptures. I have my doubts as to how much self worth you can have when it derives completely from someone else in compensation for the fact you truely believe you are a low totally debased person without that someone else.
but, alas... CHEERS!
good talk friend.

 

[HumbleUnderdog]

Sweet deal, guys. I must say that I also don't think that anyone should find a place of comfort in the sense that means that you aren't maturing more or maturing less. We should all be driven and compelled and motivated to mature even more in Christ, which continues to work out well since God is my source of motivation. Why stop, instead of keep on going?

It is interesting to look around now and see how people are lost, how some of them are looking for answers, and how some think they know the answers cause their pride blinds them.

I was thinking yesterday that I actually wish I wouldn't die and resurrect, that I could just live forever, that way I could get even more work done for the Kingdom of Heaven. There's so much to do until Christ's return, and so much more to discover. Knowing this keeps me going each second of the day.

 

[aldar]

alright, fine by me bro.
i certainly think we need to mature and progress with our lives, the world is full of work to be done and its just good to want to reach that next level of acheivement or self enlightenment or knowledge, whatever drives you. But i don't doit becuase i think im needy and broken though. It doesn't require that.

 

[ozmum]

HumbleUnderdog,
From reading your post ,I think you would enjoy reading The Narrow Way
available for free download at
www.homechurchresources.com

 

[abigale]

ok all this pit of dispair is making want to go watch the Princess Bride

 

[Bramage]

I've come to the point now with my 8 month old relationship with God where I ask him multiple times throughout the day to be my thoughts, my words, my attitude and behaviour, my wisdom, etc. I can't believe how far I've already come. Though I did grow up in the church, I basically forgot most of what I was taught, yet the more I grow in Christ, the more I have praises and deep deep thoughts in my mind, only to find out that in Psalms, that David felt the same and thought the same. I've been finding verses that I've never read or heard before with commandments that I'm already doing, usually it's the other way around isn't it? I come across Proverbs written by the wisest person who ever lived (not including Jesus), thoughts that I came up with, and they match that of Solomon's. And to think that a year ago I couldn't interpret a little kids poem to save my life.

I can't believe that a year ago I was planning on how to kill myself, and hated church. Now I'm applying to bible college to become a pastor, and God has blessed me with plenty of wisdom already, wisdom that I never had before I knew Him. He continues to give me wisdom each day, and my thoughts get deeper and deeper. Makes me wonder where I'll be a year from now, or 10 years from now. Will I be 10 times more mature in Christ, and 10 times wiser? I don't know but I can't wait to see who I am in 10 years.

So where are you in your maturity and relationship with God right now?

I have entered the bridal chamber and become one with Jesus, receiving the Light, the Resurrection and the Holy Spirit.

Beware, for there are many distractions (robbers) who will try to deceive you in the years to come.

Stay away from things which can bring harm to you and your soul, including friends who are not friends.

Do not trust anyone but Jesus. Know who Jesus is, and aquire him as a friend, for this is the friend who is faithful.

Only when you love Jesus completely, are you able to fully feel His complete love which surrounds you. No unclean spirits are able to cling to such a person who is close to Jesus.

Jesus is able to protect us by giving us the light which lights up the heart and the mind, teaching us what is of God and what is not of God.

All things which are not of God are worthless and without profit. When you realize who you are, then you will become known. For it is you who are the children of God, and it is your brother Jesus who loves you completely.

Dwell with Jesus, and invite him completely into your heart and mind, for He is more worthy of our life than we are, and is more useful of our life than we are.

Surrender your life to Jesus and become one with Him.

For a life without Jesus is not worth living.

All around is spiritual poverty, so it is difficult to come out of this darkness that the world lives in. Drink from Jesus daily, for he is able to give you rest and strengthen you with the words of Truth that will light up your heart and mind, and reveal all things hidden so that you may pluck them from your heart.

It is the light of Jesus who has saved you from the one which wanted to destroy you. Do not turn from Jesus until you are safe in His embrace, for there are many who are blind and in error who are able to distract you.

From now on, return to your divine nature. Cast from you evil deceiving friends! Accept Jesus, this true friend, as a good teacher. Cast from you spiritual death, which wishes to rob you of the true knowledge. Jesus is the Life, is Spring of Life.

Take for yourself the side of the divinity of reason. Walk with Jesus, where no unclean spirits are able to cling to you, where you are honored by the angels, and the archangels, and where you will aquire them as friends and fellow servants.

Do not bring grief or trouble to the divine which is within you. But when you will care for it, will request of it that you remain pure, and will become self-controlled in your soul and body, you will become a throne of wisdom and one belonging to God's household.

The schemes of the adversary are many. See them with the light of Jesus which is able to reveal to you all things hidden, which are not of God. Recognize the Truth of all things that are of God, and all things that are not of God.

Beware of those who come to you in the guise of a flatter, who will cast into your heart evil thoughts as good ones, and hypocrisy in the guise of true wisdom, avidity in the guise of conservative frugality, love of glory in the guise of that which is beautiful, boastfulness and pride in the guise of great austerity, and godlessness as great godliness.

How is it you will be able to comprehend the schemes of one or their soul-killing counsel? Thing about how they will enter your soul and in what way they will try to enter you in order to poison you with bitterness.

It is Jesus whom you have who is forever invincible, against whom no one will be able to fight or say a word. The divine teacher is with you always. He is a helper and he meets you because of the goodness in you.

That which you will open for yourself, you will open. That which you turn yourself toward, you will become.

Help yourself by not proceeding in things in which there is no profit.
And be not as the merchants of the word of God.

Do not wish to aquire honors which are insecure, nor boastfulness which brings you to ruin.

Accept the wisdom of Jesus who is patient and mild, and guard this, knowing His way is always profitable.

Jesus Loves You! His love is more valuable than anything you will ever turn your heart toward. You are already able to see clearly that this is so. Continue on as you have, for you will become a strong vine of Jesus for brothers and sisters to hold onto, if they come to close to the edge of a cliff, and it is you who will keep them from falling into the depths of the abyss, and the claws of the wild beasts.

 

[looksgood]

ok all this pit of dispair is making want to go watch the Princess Bride

LOL, watch out for the r.o.u.s's and when you hear a clicking sound jump.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I really feel like rolling down the hill right now. lol That was a great show!!!

 

[aldar]

i myself dont usually do feel good movies becuase i am a manly man raaa... (take off my shirt to show my bear chest) but i watched the movie bridget jones diary...
it started off annoying as *&%^$## but by the end of the movie you cant help but root for that chick and feel good when she finally finds the right dude stops ending up in the worst situations imaginable.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

i myself dont usually do feel good movies becuase i am a manly man raaa... (take off my shirt to show my bear chest) but i watched the movie bridget jones diary...
it started off annoying as *&%^$## but by the end of the movie you cant help but root for that chick and feel good when she finally finds the right dude stops ending up in the worst situations imaginable.

right, my vote for movie of the week.

 

[aldar]

i second the notion.