Hey wanted to see if I could get some advice. new here hope this posting isn't out of line. I really don't like my pastor. I have tried and tried to overcome this but I can't. he's said some very hurtful things that I thought were out of line. Other people in the church feel the same.If he's approached or questioned about a problem someone has with his actions he gets angry. He's really harsh. lots of times he singles out people from the pulpit something he believes is wrong in thier life and his entire sermon is based on that. It's hard to know if you're hearing GOD or the man. He seems to resent any personal time he might have to give and i definently don't feel like he has love. But he does preach the gospel and lead a righteous life. our church teaches that for the most part you should stay in the church you were saved in unless there's a move or something that can't be avoided, and that you're out of the will of GOD if you leave. So much more i could say but this is long already. any help would be good
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pastor
- Thread starter notofthisworld
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Try to find a church where the word of God is preached, there are beleivers who are similar to you and you feel comfortable that the pastor is annointed by the Holy Spirit. We are one body. If you don't fit with the fingers, it may be that you are really a toe 
! There should be no condemnation from your current church if they are seeing the same thing you are. This is especially true if the pastor will not listen to your concerns. Trust God and seek His guidance and He will put you where you need to be. 
! There should be no condemnation from your current church if they are seeing the same thing you are. This is especially true if the pastor will not listen to your concerns. Trust God and seek His guidance and He will put you where you need to be.
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Have you talked to your church elders or deacons. It is a hard thing to have to talk to a church authority about another like this. Be careful, make sure your words are from a loving heart, satan loves this kind of thing, this is where church splits begin, people divide etc. One of our troubles in some churches (if not all) is we put the Pastors on a pedestal that we cannot reach. We think they are infalable etc. The truth is they struggle with the same issues we do. I would suggest talking to a godly elder or deacon. Bounce off your concerns and listen to what they say. If they agree, take that person and ask another authority about this issue. If you all agree, go as a group to face the Pastor of your concerns. If he is a Godly man, he will see that you are making a sincere approach to him with concerns and not out on a witch hunt. The Bible makes it clear that if you have something against a brother, approach them, if that does not work, take a brother with you. The Bible also makes it clear that when it comes to Pastors etc. that there should be more than 2 people that agree, I believe that this is here to protect God's servants from malicous attacks. I feel for you, this is a tough situation and a very hard one to be in. All the best.
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This may seem a harsh answer, but you should go to your pastor and ask his forgiveness for your wrong attitude. I would be amazed if he got angry at this.
Secondly, you should spend time in prayer for him. You do not know what personal battles he is undergoing.
It is important to remember that that you are not responsible for your pastor's attitude you are only responsible for your own. Taking offence is a spiritual killer.
God has placed that man in his position of authority. Until God removes him, stick with him. (Or until God moves you - be very sure it is God that moves you).
There are too many christians, especially in western churches, who jump about from church to church based on how they feel about God's leadership in that place. These people never grow in God because they never learn to respect the authority of those above them. If you do not respect the authority God has placed over you, then you will never be given authority yourself.
If your flesh is anything like mine it will kick against the idea of asking forgiveness of someone you think is wrong. However I believe this act can break any stronghold in this area. What harm can it do you anyway?
As I said, you do not know what battle or turmoil this man may be in. Your act could be something that helps give him the victory, and lets him be the pastor you want him to be.
Secondly, you should spend time in prayer for him. You do not know what personal battles he is undergoing.
It is important to remember that that you are not responsible for your pastor's attitude you are only responsible for your own. Taking offence is a spiritual killer.
God has placed that man in his position of authority. Until God removes him, stick with him. (Or until God moves you - be very sure it is God that moves you).
There are too many christians, especially in western churches, who jump about from church to church based on how they feel about God's leadership in that place. These people never grow in God because they never learn to respect the authority of those above them. If you do not respect the authority God has placed over you, then you will never be given authority yourself.
If your flesh is anything like mine it will kick against the idea of asking forgiveness of someone you think is wrong. However I believe this act can break any stronghold in this area. What harm can it do you anyway?
As I said, you do not know what battle or turmoil this man may be in. Your act could be something that helps give him the victory, and lets him be the pastor you want him to be.
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Rafael
Only time enough for love
If you have something against a brother, you should go to them and get it off your chest. We are supposed to teach and share the truth in love, but some people's personalities are as easily lent to finer disposition. If God is trying to speak to you, then be thankful for someone who will tell the truth. In the last days, it says people will seek for teachers and prophets who will scratch their ears and only tell them smooth things. Sometimes the good news is the bad news about our sins and the remedy we have through the blood of the lamb and repentence. Forgiveness the good and repentence the bad - not always being easy to do for various reasons, such as pride.
If he is a really bad shepherd of the flock, time will tell it, but I would not run from church to church hunting for someone honey sweet. God puts us in places so that we can make a difference in the place he sets us. Things don't happen by chance, and the trials and choices we make need to be prayed about with sincereity before cutting and running for a different group of people and leaving behind those we were supposed to have loved and ministered to???
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
If he is a really bad shepherd of the flock, time will tell it, but I would not run from church to church hunting for someone honey sweet. God puts us in places so that we can make a difference in the place he sets us. Things don't happen by chance, and the trials and choices we make need to be prayed about with sincereity before cutting and running for a different group of people and leaving behind those we were supposed to have loved and ministered to???
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
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To avoid sticking my foot in my mouth, I should clarify that I had thought you had already approached the pastor with one or more other members of your church. (it was late and I know I shouldn't make assumptions
)
If you have already followed the biblical steps that the others have brought up, and he is still unwilling to listen, do not feel bound to this church because you are taught to stay in this church for life. Pray and seek Gods guidance and trust what He tells you.
In His love,
Rob
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Thank you. I don't mind hard advice. i want to do what GOD wants me to do but it feels like I'm not gonna stay saved if I continue like i am. this is so confusing. our church used to be so great so much love GOd really broke through my heart barriers in there. But offenses have come to many. There have been large splits within our larger church fellowship it's seperated families and we are a tiny church and at least three families have left, people I loved. I should say I am a woman with a husband and kids this may be a whole other topic but it figures in here my husband is a christian also but he will not take his place as spiritual leader I have begged him we won't even go to church if I don't say so.I have to make the choices and it scares me because I'm not a good leader. if someone leaves our fellowship they are labeled backsliders and you are advised not to see them or talk to them. we have tried other churches and I do feel led back to this one but then it feels so bad there that it's hard to even go. i am so far from where I was. I know I need to forgive and love unconditionally, but I feel so confused and hurt and yes bitter. I have been to my pastor to ask for his forgiveness before, I thought that would end it but it comes back. It's like everyone is struggling so hard there even the really strong christians just to hang on and we can't help eachother. anyway I do appreciate the truth spoken in love which may not be what I wanna hear but I need an end to this confusion
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ShetlandRose
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"if someone leaves our fellowship they are labeled backsliders and you are advised not to see them or talk to them." THIS is very unhealthy and definitely un-Biblical!
It appears you have indeed taken the proper steps mentioned above. I can relate to you. I stuck it out under a cruel pastor for 7 years. He was something like your pastor. The pastor had a spirit of control, and I think even the elders feared his chastisement. No one who left that church was considered to be saved, and publicly the pastor denounced them from the pulpit as unbelievers, and he instructed the congregation to treat them as such. This was not some strange, border-line cult, it was a major Christian denomination. I was young and didn't want to leave my friends. When I had suffered enough, even spiritually depressed, I broke free. It was like I could breathe and smell fresh air again.
I pray that God will make it plain to you what He expects you to do in your situation. I hope that God is dealing with the pride and sins of this pastor toward a renewing of his mind. Do many others share your feelings at your church? I don't much care for "church hopping," but sometimes when the shepherd is not shepherding efficaciously the sheep may have to jump the fence to a sweeter pasture.
THIS is very unhealthy and definitely un-Biblical!It appears you have indeed taken the proper steps mentioned above. I can relate to you. I stuck it out under a cruel pastor for 7 years. He was something like your pastor. The pastor had a spirit of control, and I think even the elders feared his chastisement. No one who left that church was considered to be saved, and publicly the pastor denounced them from the pulpit as unbelievers, and he instructed the congregation to treat them as such. This was not some strange, border-line cult, it was a major Christian denomination. I was young and didn't want to leave my friends. When I had suffered enough, even spiritually depressed, I broke free. It was like I could breathe and smell fresh air again.
I pray that God will make it plain to you what He expects you to do in your situation. I hope that God is dealing with the pride and sins of this pastor toward a renewing of his mind. Do many others share your feelings at your church? I don't much care for "church hopping," but sometimes when the shepherd is not shepherding efficaciously the sheep may have to jump the fence to a sweeter pasture.
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Amen to this. Those in authority have a grave responsibility to be the example for their flock. Humility, kindness, gentleness and compassion are the hallmarks of our Saviour and they should be the hallmark of His shepherds. I will pray for you...goodgirl said:
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I think almost all in our church are struggling with this. But the consenses is that GOD is in control which i believe, and that he is working out faithfulness and obediance to authority in our lives and that for the ones who stick it out there will be blessings and our church will get stronger and better. It's like people are just gritting there teeth and saying okay GOD if this is what you want but there is no joy. I look at other christians outside our church and see freedom and joy and I want that but at the same time i feel like i'm leaving my destiny and the work GOD wants to do in me and my families lives. i don't feel like my pastor is in sin but a hard man sometimes it seems like he's self righteous or prideful but I could be wrong like i said i'm confused and i know that we are not to slander the man of GOD. i just go in this circle we should leave we should stay I can't get a clear thought is it me is it GOD is it the devil. I know GOD wants us to have joy but I also know this is the narrow road and GOD will ask us to do things we don't want to do and that faithfulness is very important to GOD.I know the enemy will try to get our eyes off of GOD and onto ourselves and other people and I feel that way but I don't know how to get back to "my first love" there's so much water under the bridge
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It is sad to see a church that doesn't follow the Biblical responsibility it has been told to. The Bible makes it very clear that if one leaves the church we are to bring them back into the fold. Your church is using a verse in wrong context, I believe they get their justification how they shun you from the verse that says to treat the backsliden like a unbeliever, a polititian etc. The reality is, if your church truly believes they are right, then they should love the wayward and gently guide them back into the fold. Instead they are driving you farther away, what kind of love is that? One would really question the authority of this church. Sad to say, but it appears that pride is the God of this Pastor and not Jesus. Is it any wonder churches are in decline these days? Gods army is the only army that shoots their own, how sad, God have mercy on us all for dropping the ball.
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Alternate Carpark
Well-Known Member
Ah, the ever reliable emotional blackmail tactic that many insecure pastors use to control the 'flock'. It's a doosie isn't it .
I spent 10 years feeling guilty and ashamed of myself because of that one.
Man, where do I start, there's multiple issues to talk about here.
This whole concept of submitting to the authority of the church and it's leaders
was a timely revelation from God to His church in the 60's. It is true and important, but it can be abused and misused by people,
and then it becomes like a noose around people's necks. Yet Christ's yoke is easy and His burden is light.
And why should you be apologising to someone for the wrong they do, that's just insane.
Oh that's right, you were 'judging' him, oh you sinner you LOL. Every time you apologise to him, it only re enforces the delusional world he is living in.
Maybe God has put this pastor there to see how many of the flock will just sit there and put up with the oppression or
will actually go against the flow and stand up and follow God instead of a man.
But the FEAR of being labeled a backslider does keep alot of people in check doesn't it.
Well perfect love casts out ALL fear.
When you get to the place ,( if you haven't already done so, plus I am not assuming anything because I can only go by what you have posted ),
where you have this profound and deep revelation and knowing that God truely madly deeply absolutely adores YOU notofthisworld
and that there is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus ,regardless of their actions or thoughts
and that God is concerned about YOUR feelings and hurt and pain, regardles of everyone else's
then the guilt and shame will gloriously disappear and you will see things in a whole new light, not so much a new light but just heaps more of God's light.
Of course you now may be feeling guilty because you are thinking of yourself first and not others.
BUT God DOES think of you first and no one else when you are spending time together, this is a concept that has been lost in the over zealousness to be selfless.
God says, "I want to take care of you " and we say " Oh no don't worry about me, my problems are not important, my feelings aren't important, it's godly to put yourself last."
"But I want to spend quality time with you and heal your wounds and hold you in my arms, I want to do this because I love you so much" God say back.
I guarantee that when you are constantly and completely immersed in God's love,
knowing that God loves for who you are and not what you do or say or think, you will be able to really love that pastor and anyone else that has hurt you.
You will begin to see him and others the same way that God sees them, lost and hurting and wanting to be loved.
There's heaps more I would like to say but......
I spent 10 years feeling guilty and ashamed of myself because of that one.
Man, where do I start, there's multiple issues to talk about here.
This whole concept of submitting to the authority of the church and it's leaders
was a timely revelation from God to His church in the 60's. It is true and important, but it can be abused and misused by people,
and then it becomes like a noose around people's necks. Yet Christ's yoke is easy and His burden is light.
And why should you be apologising to someone for the wrong they do, that's just insane.
Oh that's right, you were 'judging' him, oh you sinner you LOL. Every time you apologise to him, it only re enforces the delusional world he is living in.
Maybe God has put this pastor there to see how many of the flock will just sit there and put up with the oppression or
will actually go against the flow and stand up and follow God instead of a man.
But the FEAR of being labeled a backslider does keep alot of people in check doesn't it.
Well perfect love casts out ALL fear.
When you get to the place ,( if you haven't already done so, plus I am not assuming anything because I can only go by what you have posted ),
where you have this profound and deep revelation and knowing that God truely madly deeply absolutely adores YOU notofthisworld
and that there is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus ,regardless of their actions or thoughts
and that God is concerned about YOUR feelings and hurt and pain, regardles of everyone else's
then the guilt and shame will gloriously disappear and you will see things in a whole new light, not so much a new light but just heaps more of God's light.
Of course you now may be feeling guilty because you are thinking of yourself first and not others.
BUT God DOES think of you first and no one else when you are spending time together, this is a concept that has been lost in the over zealousness to be selfless.
God says, "I want to take care of you " and we say " Oh no don't worry about me, my problems are not important, my feelings aren't important, it's godly to put yourself last."
"But I want to spend quality time with you and heal your wounds and hold you in my arms, I want to do this because I love you so much" God say back.
I guarantee that when you are constantly and completely immersed in God's love,
knowing that God loves for who you are and not what you do or say or think, you will be able to really love that pastor and anyone else that has hurt you.
You will begin to see him and others the same way that God sees them, lost and hurting and wanting to be loved.
There's heaps more I would like to say but......
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Seems like i have been so unhappy for such a long time, i used to be pretty happy. i just feel so much condemnation. maybe thats one of the reasons i can hardly get to church, in fact i know it is. every sermon seems to condemn me for not being good enough. i know what conviction feels like it can be uncomfortable but it is good to know GOD is speaking to your heart this is different it just makes me want to give up i feel like GOD is mad at me all the time. when i first got saved i wanted to do everything for GOD nothing felt too big or small i loved everyone including my pastor i never saw any bad in anyone, really. i saw JESUS in all these people they were beautiful to me now i seem to only see thier human faults i'm so sad. it seems all the protective walls i had in my heart that GOD broke through are back up and then some. i want it to be like it used to be i want to have my fire back my love back but i just seem to sink deeper. the pastor told us not too long ago after we requested to talk to him, my husband and i, that since we had been unfaithful and did not have any ministry that it didn't really matter that we were there or not and we had not attended for awhile so he said we should have come to him or someone in ministry to ask if we could come back he said we "snuck in the back door." ever since then no matter how hard we try to commit i just cant get past that because that is the very thing we've struggled with the most, feeling like we dont belong. it was like a spiritual knife to the heart and the thing is he smiled when he said it and ended that conversation telling some kind of story and saying he was trying to lighten it up, we ended up apologizing to him again..our church really puts a lot of emphasis on finding your gift and using it, finding your place. in the seven or so years we've been there i have agonized over that so much cause i cant seem to figure out what my gift might be anyway i so much appreciate being able to talk and have people respond honestly i really need perspective my mind seems to be this vortex i just want to feel "normal" again
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Dear Notofthisworld,
Please know God loves you, He has forgiven you of any faults and holds no rememberance of them.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. - Psalms 103:12
All the sins we confess to our Heavenly Father have been forgiven, so please don't condem yourself.
One thing that brought shivers to my spine was reading your last words;
"that since we had been unfaithful and did not have any ministry that it didn't really matter that we were there or not and we had not attended for awhile so he said we should have come to him or someone in ministry to ask if we could come back he said we "snuck in the back door."
Firstly, it does matter substantually if you are there or not, anyone who thinks that people do not matter in the congregation definitely is off. How are people to grow if they do not learn. Not everyone has a ministry in the church, many of us have ministry's outside of the church building. And last I checked, God hasn't closed the door, nor made it so the church can allow or not allow who can worship and not. Where do you live Russia?, we are free to worship, it concerns me greatly that such abuse can occur from the pulpit. I wish I knew the answer, but if how you wrote it is so, it is a terrible abuse of power. I sincerely hope that your family is able to pick themselves up and return to the fire you once had. It has been 8 years since the spiritual abuse my family and myself were exposed to, I am still not over it. I wish the fire would return, my advice, get this resolved quickly, as painful as it may be, the longer you endure, the more pain it may bring. It may mean you have to leave the church. My suggestion is to do it quietly, hopefully that way you will not be labled as someone trying to divide the church. God bless on your future.
Please know God loves you, He has forgiven you of any faults and holds no rememberance of them.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. - Psalms 103:12
All the sins we confess to our Heavenly Father have been forgiven, so please don't condem yourself.
One thing that brought shivers to my spine was reading your last words;
"that since we had been unfaithful and did not have any ministry that it didn't really matter that we were there or not and we had not attended for awhile so he said we should have come to him or someone in ministry to ask if we could come back he said we "snuck in the back door."
Firstly, it does matter substantually if you are there or not, anyone who thinks that people do not matter in the congregation definitely is off. How are people to grow if they do not learn. Not everyone has a ministry in the church, many of us have ministry's outside of the church building. And last I checked, God hasn't closed the door, nor made it so the church can allow or not allow who can worship and not. Where do you live Russia?, we are free to worship, it concerns me greatly that such abuse can occur from the pulpit. I wish I knew the answer, but if how you wrote it is so, it is a terrible abuse of power. I sincerely hope that your family is able to pick themselves up and return to the fire you once had. It has been 8 years since the spiritual abuse my family and myself were exposed to, I am still not over it. I wish the fire would return, my advice, get this resolved quickly, as painful as it may be, the longer you endure, the more pain it may bring. It may mean you have to leave the church. My suggestion is to do it quietly, hopefully that way you will not be labled as someone trying to divide the church. God bless on your future.
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Alternate Carpark
Well-Known Member
If you really want to know what your gifts are and more importantly, know who you really are and where you stand in the great scheme of life, you must develop that 1 on 1 deep personal relationship with God. He will show you everything. All information from other brother and sisters should only be confirmation of what God has already spoken to you.
No offence but there is only one way to describe your pastor's attitude and actions is of someone who is a manipulitive spiritually immature idiot.
Now of course God doesn't see him that way, and aren't we glad He doesn't.
What I'm trying to say here is your pastors behaviour is so wrong and if he can't understand that then remove yourself from that environment and delve deeper into God.
How can you feel guilty when you strive to get closer to God, regardless of what ANYONE else thinks or says of you.
Just because someone has 'authority' or is 'respected' doesn't make them right about everything.
Of course there will be more issues connected with your current dilemma than what you or I can see at this moment, but God already knows and is willing and able to show you and help you.
Plus let's say that you are concerned about making a decision that will take you out of God's will for your life. So what, God isn't concerned if we make a mistake, he's concerned about your heart and your openness to hear Him and trust Him.
Because if you are open to God and make a mistake (which is unavoidable with us humans) you will be able to hear Him when He calls out and says, " No my child, this way."
He never condemns us when we make a mistake, it's a learning experience for us all and He loves to see us step out and give it a go and He NEVER expects us to be perfect.
This is where we grow spiritually.
At the moment you are in an environment that is comdemning and controling and very unloving. Don't freak out and think you are the crazy one when you see these things, you really are seeing them, it's sad but true.
We could get really technical about being in the will of God or not being in the will of God,
but I think that God would be saying
"notofthisworld, I just want you to be in my arms, you don't have to do 'anything' for me for a season. In fact, come here my child and let me do something for you because you are hurting so much. Rest in my arms and I will tend to your wounds and when you are strong and healthy and refreshed, then I will allow you to 'do' things for me."
No offence but there is only one way to describe your pastor's attitude and actions is of someone who is a manipulitive spiritually immature idiot.
Now of course God doesn't see him that way, and aren't we glad He doesn't.
What I'm trying to say here is your pastors behaviour is so wrong and if he can't understand that then remove yourself from that environment and delve deeper into God.
How can you feel guilty when you strive to get closer to God, regardless of what ANYONE else thinks or says of you.
Just because someone has 'authority' or is 'respected' doesn't make them right about everything.
Of course there will be more issues connected with your current dilemma than what you or I can see at this moment, but God already knows and is willing and able to show you and help you.
Plus let's say that you are concerned about making a decision that will take you out of God's will for your life. So what, God isn't concerned if we make a mistake, he's concerned about your heart and your openness to hear Him and trust Him.
Because if you are open to God and make a mistake (which is unavoidable with us humans) you will be able to hear Him when He calls out and says, " No my child, this way."
He never condemns us when we make a mistake, it's a learning experience for us all and He loves to see us step out and give it a go and He NEVER expects us to be perfect.
This is where we grow spiritually.
At the moment you are in an environment that is comdemning and controling and very unloving. Don't freak out and think you are the crazy one when you see these things, you really are seeing them, it's sad but true.
We could get really technical about being in the will of God or not being in the will of God,
but I think that God would be saying
"notofthisworld, I just want you to be in my arms, you don't have to do 'anything' for me for a season. In fact, come here my child and let me do something for you because you are hurting so much. Rest in my arms and I will tend to your wounds and when you are strong and healthy and refreshed, then I will allow you to 'do' things for me."
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You guys give me the chills and make me cry. You know before i was saved i was the tough chick noone got any closer than i wanted them and that was a short list i didn't talk about my personal stuff with anyone sign of weakness you know? i was very good at it then when GOD started to work on me it was amazing to people to see the change since i've been a christian it feels like all i do is cry and thats okay i know tears can be a gift from GOD for repentence but it seems like now a lot of the things mostly attitudes i was delivered from are back and i'm gonna say it at the risk of rejection here i still am addicted to smoking thier i said it i have never hidden it and have always been honest with my church and pastor because i know we are to admit our faults one to another and ask for prayer but i am ashamed i have tried and tried i don't know what to do it is an awful hinderence i say that to ask for anyone that feels led to pray for me and to make sure i'm being honest when i first got saved i told GOD that i could not do this if i felt like i had to pretend about anything anyway hope that makes sense? i'm sorry to be unloading so much here but i'm pretty messed up. i guess part of the reason i'm afraid to leave our church is that i'm afraid another church won't accept us as we are i mean i feel like i deserve the condemnation i get. Our pastor once said to everyone that was at church that day that no other church would want us cause we are messed up.so it's that i know they know me and the thought of going through that whole process again the confessions the breaking in front of people maybe it makes it easier to just stay.i feel so weak and pathetic right now
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Yitzchak
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My advice is simple. Leave that church and find a healthy church. It may take some time to find a good helathy church but it will be worth it.
Please don't waste any time over analysing questions like whether your motives are 100% pure or if you did things exactly correct.
The best thing for you to do is to leave and not look back. Don't try to talk to anyone fromt he church or explain yourself. Just leave.
One important caution. Leave the church but do not leave God.
Please don't waste any time over analysing questions like whether your motives are 100% pure or if you did things exactly correct.
The best thing for you to do is to leave and not look back. Don't try to talk to anyone fromt he church or explain yourself. Just leave.
One important caution. Leave the church but do not leave God.
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Alternate Carpark
Well-Known Member
Oh you smoke !!! REPENT REPENT LOL LOL LOL
When my whole world collapsed around me 8 years ago, and I mean my whole world, I literally chain smoked for 6-9 months solid, all day and all night.
I would be rolling another one (not drugs) while I was still smoking the first one.
And this is after being gloriously delivered from smoking 10 years prior when I first met God.
Not a peep from God while I 'destroyed' my body, or as the well meaning but guilt inducing better than me christians would call it, the temple of the holy spirit.
Here's a bit of insight into your Loving Heavenly Father that I truely hope will help you see what God conciders important issues with His children.
When I lost the plot because of my sudden but destined world collapsing, I remember walking around in a daze for about two weeks, no lie or exageration here, and all I could say in between my constant wailing was "WHY".
So for two weeks all God got out of me was "WHY"
I'd been a 'good' christian for 10 years, why has everything completely been destroyed I though for those two weeks.
Death was my only comforting thought at that time, ew wee...God is good !
He said two simple things to me that has completely revolutionised my relationship with Him.
1: He said, "I have put your works through the fire, what do you have left from all your christian labor ?"
I stopped and pondered and searched, there was nothing left, everything was chaff that had burned up into ash, I searched and searched...and then.. I saw it.
A small glimmer of light in the vast sea of black ash all around me.
I walked to it, it was a speck of gold. I picked it up and realised what it was."
God asked me, "What is this speck of gold that has survived my testing fire my son?"
Oh man I'm crying as I type this woohoo !
I said," It's my faith in you, it's my belief in you."
I was astounded at how much of my 10 year walk was all but chaff and all I had to show for 10 years work was that I believed in Him.
Then when that had sunk in, He said "Now I will ask but one thing from you, do not do anything else until you do this."
"What is it God, you know my heart is for you and always will", I asked.
"Be yourself", was the reply.
" I can't do anything with you or for you if you try to be something you are not."
" Be totally open and honest with me, trust me and allow me to enter every part of your being and I will gently transform you into the beautiful creature that I originally designed you to be, so when you walk down the street, people will gasp and say this man is just like Jesus."
"As a matter of fact my son, when I showed you to the angels after I had put the finishing touches on you, they just stood there in awe and said , he's beautiful, just like every other one you made"
God has not been my 'God' these last 8-9 years, He has been my ,cannot comprehend the depths of His love toward me Father.
And through this ( can't even think of words that can do Him justice)awesome relationship, He is now My Father, my God, my everything.
I now NEVER live with guilt, shame, condemnation, and what others think of me doesn't even get a look see.
God has given me a new life, a life of abundance, significance, purpose and it is all found in Him, or Christ if you choose to be technical, but He understands.
This has taken 8 years though, through many battles, trials and tribulations, because that's the only way He does it. I love Him, man do I love Him.
When my whole world collapsed around me 8 years ago, and I mean my whole world, I literally chain smoked for 6-9 months solid, all day and all night.
I would be rolling another one (not drugs) while I was still smoking the first one.
And this is after being gloriously delivered from smoking 10 years prior when I first met God.
Not a peep from God while I 'destroyed' my body, or as the well meaning but guilt inducing better than me christians would call it, the temple of the holy spirit.
Here's a bit of insight into your Loving Heavenly Father that I truely hope will help you see what God conciders important issues with His children.
When I lost the plot because of my sudden but destined world collapsing, I remember walking around in a daze for about two weeks, no lie or exageration here, and all I could say in between my constant wailing was "WHY".
So for two weeks all God got out of me was "WHY"
I'd been a 'good' christian for 10 years, why has everything completely been destroyed I though for those two weeks.
Death was my only comforting thought at that time, ew wee...God is good !
He said two simple things to me that has completely revolutionised my relationship with Him.
1: He said, "I have put your works through the fire, what do you have left from all your christian labor ?"
I stopped and pondered and searched, there was nothing left, everything was chaff that had burned up into ash, I searched and searched...and then.. I saw it.
A small glimmer of light in the vast sea of black ash all around me.
I walked to it, it was a speck of gold. I picked it up and realised what it was."
God asked me, "What is this speck of gold that has survived my testing fire my son?"
Oh man I'm crying as I type this woohoo !
I said," It's my faith in you, it's my belief in you."
I was astounded at how much of my 10 year walk was all but chaff and all I had to show for 10 years work was that I believed in Him.
Then when that had sunk in, He said "Now I will ask but one thing from you, do not do anything else until you do this."
"What is it God, you know my heart is for you and always will", I asked.
"Be yourself", was the reply.
" I can't do anything with you or for you if you try to be something you are not."
" Be totally open and honest with me, trust me and allow me to enter every part of your being and I will gently transform you into the beautiful creature that I originally designed you to be, so when you walk down the street, people will gasp and say this man is just like Jesus."
"As a matter of fact my son, when I showed you to the angels after I had put the finishing touches on you, they just stood there in awe and said , he's beautiful, just like every other one you made"
God has not been my 'God' these last 8-9 years, He has been my ,cannot comprehend the depths of His love toward me Father.
And through this ( can't even think of words that can do Him justice)awesome relationship, He is now My Father, my God, my everything.
I now NEVER live with guilt, shame, condemnation, and what others think of me doesn't even get a look see.
God has given me a new life, a life of abundance, significance, purpose and it is all found in Him, or Christ if you choose to be technical, but He understands.
This has taken 8 years though, through many battles, trials and tribulations, because that's the only way He does it. I love Him, man do I love Him.
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In regards to your smoking concern, I quit over 8 years ago and praise God and still going strong. Before that I had gone for 2 years, but then relapsed for about 6 months. Then one night in my garage I wa thinking, "how can I quit this", I remember feeling that I needed to and said, "God, I can't seem to do this on my own, I always fail, if you want me to quit, then I ask you to change me' Know what?, he did, I never craved one, never went through the withdrawals etc. In fact the opposite occurred, others smoking made me sick, the smell, the smoke etc. just made me queezy in the stomach. I thank God for that gift, heah, who knows, try it, I hope your request is heard as mine was.
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