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prayer
- Thread starter Musician4Jesus
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wonderwaleye
Well-Known Member
Revelation
Chapter 3:
Chapter 3:
14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write this: " 'The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God's creation, says this:
15 "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
steven
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You don't get it at all. Nobody is willing to help me the way I need help; they're so busy with their own lives that they don't help people. Just because Christians should do the right thing, doesn't mean they do. Just because they're supposed to help people, the way they need help, doesn't mean they do. Too many times Christians just assume via their actions "oh well I talked to the person and gave them advice, so I helped them that way". Well that's great, but if the person needs help beyond advice, and a person to talk to because they're lonely, then they're not reaching out to the person the way the person needs to be reached out to.
Christians are supposed to be the hands and feet of Christ which means not just ministering to the emotional and spiritual needs of a person, but their physical needs as well if applicable. Yes I have food to eat, clothing to wear, a place to live. Emotionally the living situation is like walking on eggshells, and I have no life of my own. I know you're not supposed to place your trust in people, but in God. However God works thru other people to help others who need it.
I'm not saying that they should use all their savings to help others and become so absorbed in doing so, that they neglect provide for themselves (and if applicable their family) . However as stated above, there are Christians who could help others financially and they wouldn't hurt financially by doing so (as in they have money leftover after paying bills, taking care of other cost-of-living expenses, saving money for a rainy day, and providing for their child's future, etc.) and they STILL have money leftover.
Half the time Christians are in a position financially when it's in their means to do so to help people who need help. By this I mean they make more than enough where they can help those financially who need it. However they don't because it means giving up their money on something they'd rather do for themselves. If a person is willing to put forth the time and energy necessary to do whatever it is they want to do, but they just need help due to limited resources and/or a frustrating financial situation (such as a crap economy and employers having unrealistic expectations that are impossible to achieve....) then I don't think that it's wrong for the person who needs help to ask for it.
However what do Christians do more often than not? They judge the person; they say they're being a leech, a freeloader, a mooch, etc. As a result the person who needs help is very reluctant to actually speak up because they're just afraid of getting spurned and treated like dirt.
Nobody is willing to take a chance on me or help me the way I need help.
There's a saying "always a bridesmaid but never a bride". That basically means that you'll never accomplish your goals, nothing that you desire will ever come to pass. God just doesn't give you talent for nothing. He expects you to use what you have to glorify him, but I also think that means you should be able to use these talents and gifts to be able to make a living for yourself.
However what good is all the talent you have if it's not even good enough to help you provide for yourself? I have talent in various things, but because I don't have
professional training, professional experience, etc. nobody will take a 2nd look at me. I get judged being told "well if you're trying but you're still in your rut, then you're not trying hard enough". I don't need that kind of callous attitude. Things are already difficult enough and when people make those kinds of remarks it just exacerbates an already difficult situation, stresses me out even more than I'm stressed out.
Even if I were to get lucky enough to acquire some source of income, I can't build savings. I would have to use it to contribute towards cost-of-living expenses, for tithing, and what's leftover would be used to pay off personal debts.
The only reason I don't help others now is because I'm not in a position financially to do so. I cannot even provide for my own needs, so as a result there's no way I can help another person. If it were in my grasp to do so, I would help people because I like to do so. I don't do so to gloat or be in the limelight, but because it's just something I enjoy doing, it's a way of showing God's love thru action (a.k.a. his compassion), and because it's the right thing to do.
I'm an introvert so I really don't like to draw heaps and reams of attention upon myself.
Christians are supposed to be the hands and feet of Christ which means not just ministering to the emotional and spiritual needs of a person, but their physical needs as well if applicable. Yes I have food to eat, clothing to wear, a place to live. Emotionally the living situation is like walking on eggshells, and I have no life of my own. I know you're not supposed to place your trust in people, but in God. However God works thru other people to help others who need it.
I'm not saying that they should use all their savings to help others and become so absorbed in doing so, that they neglect provide for themselves (and if applicable their family) . However as stated above, there are Christians who could help others financially and they wouldn't hurt financially by doing so (as in they have money leftover after paying bills, taking care of other cost-of-living expenses, saving money for a rainy day, and providing for their child's future, etc.) and they STILL have money leftover.
Half the time Christians are in a position financially when it's in their means to do so to help people who need help. By this I mean they make more than enough where they can help those financially who need it. However they don't because it means giving up their money on something they'd rather do for themselves. If a person is willing to put forth the time and energy necessary to do whatever it is they want to do, but they just need help due to limited resources and/or a frustrating financial situation (such as a crap economy and employers having unrealistic expectations that are impossible to achieve....) then I don't think that it's wrong for the person who needs help to ask for it.
However what do Christians do more often than not? They judge the person; they say they're being a leech, a freeloader, a mooch, etc. As a result the person who needs help is very reluctant to actually speak up because they're just afraid of getting spurned and treated like dirt.
Nobody is willing to take a chance on me or help me the way I need help.
There's a saying "always a bridesmaid but never a bride". That basically means that you'll never accomplish your goals, nothing that you desire will ever come to pass. God just doesn't give you talent for nothing. He expects you to use what you have to glorify him, but I also think that means you should be able to use these talents and gifts to be able to make a living for yourself.
However what good is all the talent you have if it's not even good enough to help you provide for yourself? I have talent in various things, but because I don't have
professional training, professional experience, etc. nobody will take a 2nd look at me. I get judged being told "well if you're trying but you're still in your rut, then you're not trying hard enough". I don't need that kind of callous attitude. Things are already difficult enough and when people make those kinds of remarks it just exacerbates an already difficult situation, stresses me out even more than I'm stressed out.
Even if I were to get lucky enough to acquire some source of income, I can't build savings. I would have to use it to contribute towards cost-of-living expenses, for tithing, and what's leftover would be used to pay off personal debts.
The only reason I don't help others now is because I'm not in a position financially to do so. I cannot even provide for my own needs, so as a result there's no way I can help another person. If it were in my grasp to do so, I would help people because I like to do so. I don't do so to gloat or be in the limelight, but because it's just something I enjoy doing, it's a way of showing God's love thru action (a.k.a. his compassion), and because it's the right thing to do.
I'm an introvert so I really don't like to draw heaps and reams of attention upon myself.
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Comatose
Skillet's #1 Fan
Okay.. Everyone is human, everyone has a little voice in their head that says "You give that guy money, you won't have any" it's human nature. Sure with God's help, yes Christians "Should" give money to those less fortunate, but in the end, it comes down to actually looking at your life and seeing if A. You have the money and B. If you have the guts and will to give up the money. Just like in Lord of the Rings, the ring in this case being money.. Drives people crazy, they just want more and more of it till it drives them to a point to where they kill over it. Money is the route to evil. Many don't get that, you just have to wait and pray that God will send that one person that is willing to melt the ring down and give the gold to you. (Hope you get the metaphor.)
Hope that helps a little. People are people and you just need to find the good ones that are crazy for the Lord, not the fakers who just put on the mask of Christians. The real Christians will help you.
Comatose
Hope that helps a little. People are people and you just need to find the good ones that are crazy for the Lord, not the fakers who just put on the mask of Christians. The real Christians will help you.
Comatose
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wonderwaleye
Well-Known Member
It may be well for you to consider the word " VANITY "
Ecclesiastes
Chapter 12
1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come And the years approach of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them;
2 Before the sun is darkened. and the light, and the moon, and the stars, while the clouds return after the rain;
3 When the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, And the grinders are idle because they are few, and they who look through the windows grow blind;
4 When the doors to the street are shut, and the sound of the mill is low; When one waits for the chirp of a bird, but all the daughters of song are suppressed;
5 And one fears heights, and perils in the street; When the almond tree blooms, and the locust grows sluggish and the caper berry is without effect, Because man goes to his lasting home, and mourners go about the streets;
6 Before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is broken, And the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the broken pulley falls into the well,
7 And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity!
9 Besides being wise, Qoheleth taught the people knowledge, and weighed, scrutinized and arranged many proverbs.
10 Qoheleth sought to find pleasing sayings, and to write down true sayings with precision.
11 The sayings of the wise are like goads; like fixed spikes are the topics given by one collector.
12 As to more than these, my son, beware. Of the making of many books there is no end, and in much study there is weariness for the flesh.
13 The last word, when all is heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man's all;
14 because God will bring to judgment every work, with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad.
steven
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First off there's no "if" about it. If a person is able to give money and it's not going to make them destitute financially, there is no guts involved. If it's feasible for them to give somebody money (or help the person with their physical needs) but they choose not to, they're being selfish and deliberately disobeying what Jesus taught (about the story of the good samaritan). It's that simple. Delayed obedience is the equivalent of sinning straight to God's face.
I never once said that " if a person is in dire straits financially, they should help those who need it finanically". If you can't provide for your own needs, you can't help another person that way. I know this for a fact because that's the situation I'm in now.
2nd, I know that money isn't everything. However money in and of itself isn't sin; it's coveting it, being greedy and not being content with the wealth you have, and being stingy with it that are all sinful. Being frugal and being stingy aren't the same thing.
I don't need money to be happy; and I know material possessions are just that, things.
However I know two things to be true in regards to money:
*Being on a shoestring budget (as in you make one small splurge and it completely screws up your budget) is a living nightmare.
*Unfortunately money is necessary to be self-sufficient and provide for yourself and the needs of others. There's no getting around it, that's just the way the world works.
You're not of this world if your'e a Christian, but that doesn't change the reality that as long as you're alive, you're still living in it.
I don't know really understand what the person means by vanity.
I never once said that " if a person is in dire straits financially, they should help those who need it finanically". If you can't provide for your own needs, you can't help another person that way. I know this for a fact because that's the situation I'm in now.
2nd, I know that money isn't everything. However money in and of itself isn't sin; it's coveting it, being greedy and not being content with the wealth you have, and being stingy with it that are all sinful. Being frugal and being stingy aren't the same thing.
I don't need money to be happy; and I know material possessions are just that, things.
However I know two things to be true in regards to money:
*Being on a shoestring budget (as in you make one small splurge and it completely screws up your budget) is a living nightmare.
*Unfortunately money is necessary to be self-sufficient and provide for yourself and the needs of others. There's no getting around it, that's just the way the world works.
You're not of this world if your'e a Christian, but that doesn't change the reality that as long as you're alive, you're still living in it.
I don't know really understand what the person means by vanity.
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L
l0v3n
Guest
I believe that it would help not to see God as only your counselor but to see him as also your best friend and lover of your life. Tell him also of all the great things that happen in your life. His greatest gift I believe it is prayer and the ability to communicate with God one on one. Use it as a time to get to know him. It doesn't all have to be about our issues of the day. This is what helped my prayer life immensely! Do regular devotions and get to know yourself as well as God more as it has helped me. God bless!
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seashale76
Unapologetic Iconodule
- Dec 29, 2004
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I urge you to check out these prayer resources, that explain what prayer is and how to pray. They've certainly helped me.
P r a y e r
http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/prayer_theofan_e.htm
Abbreviated Prayerbook
Prayer for the Living
The Message of the Lord's Prayer
P r a y e r
http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/prayer_theofan_e.htm
Abbreviated Prayerbook
Prayer for the Living
The Message of the Lord's Prayer
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Not to be rude, but I know what prayer is. It's essentially a Christian's way of communicating with God; in my opinion, it's the equivalent of having a conversation with God (like you'd have a conversation with a person, but with God instead).
I know the various prayers (Lord's prayer that Jesus taught about as well as the Serenity prayer).
I know why you're supposed to pray and the reasons are various.
Below are the ones listed that I know of
*Thanking God
*Asking God for provision (spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, etc.)
*Healing of sickness
*Guidance in regards to a calling (on your life, for ministry, etc.)
*Praying for other people
*Praying for the salvation of a person (that their heart would be softened, they'd be receptive to listening when a Christian witnesses to them, etc.)
*Wisdom and tact with how to interact with people (what to say, what not to say, listening ,being open-minded, etc.)
*Opportunities for sharing the love of Christ (both thru word and deed) and/or witnessing opportunities
As far as God will take away whatever he needs to get your attention. Well let's see....
* I have no job, and am at the bottom-of-the-barrel with qualifications. Add to that I live in a very rural area, so that just exacerbates things tenfold.
*No social life and with so called 'friends' I have, I really don't need enemies.
*I cannot find new friends. Either we have something interests in common, but there's a huge age gap, or they're my age but we share no interests.
*I have no life of my own (by that I mean although I have a place to live and my physical needs provided for, I don't live on my own)
*It's not feasible for me to relocate to a better area where job prospects will likely be more plentiful (once again it's not feasible due to financial issues)
I know the various prayers (Lord's prayer that Jesus taught about as well as the Serenity prayer).
I know why you're supposed to pray and the reasons are various.
Below are the ones listed that I know of
*Thanking God
*Asking God for provision (spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, etc.)
*Healing of sickness
*Guidance in regards to a calling (on your life, for ministry, etc.)
*Praying for other people
*Praying for the salvation of a person (that their heart would be softened, they'd be receptive to listening when a Christian witnesses to them, etc.)
*Wisdom and tact with how to interact with people (what to say, what not to say, listening ,being open-minded, etc.)
*Opportunities for sharing the love of Christ (both thru word and deed) and/or witnessing opportunities
As far as God will take away whatever he needs to get your attention. Well let's see....
* I have no job, and am at the bottom-of-the-barrel with qualifications. Add to that I live in a very rural area, so that just exacerbates things tenfold.
*No social life and with so called 'friends' I have, I really don't need enemies.
*I cannot find new friends. Either we have something interests in common, but there's a huge age gap, or they're my age but we share no interests.
*I have no life of my own (by that I mean although I have a place to live and my physical needs provided for, I don't live on my own)
*It's not feasible for me to relocate to a better area where job prospects will likely be more plentiful (once again it's not feasible due to financial issues)
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