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so what happens now?

wayfaring man

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Hey , welcome to CF ,

In truth , there can hardly be a " used to be a christian " .

For one who truly becomes Christ-like , has within themself the tenacity and steadfastness of Christ's own Spirit .

Some may begin to embrace the principles of Christianity and then fall away , for various reasons - all of which are not good .

As far as " our best " is concerned , while it's normally admirable for one to do their best ... when it comes to being Christ-like , our best is never good enough ... with the lesson being - that we cannot measure up on our own ; and therefore our only realistic hope is to invite Jesus to take over our life , and create us anew with the miraculous capacity only He , Whom God has anointed Saviour , does possess .

Aside from that , it's hard to say , whether , " your pastors " are acting in accordance with The Holy Spirit's leading or not ?

If there's an accusation that has merit against you , seek The Lord's Mercy and Grace to confess and repent ( and if required , make amends ) ; and once the matter is thus dealt with , one ought to be allowed to move on , without further constraint or criticism .

But if the accusation is unfounded , then let someone who recognizes this , come to your defense .

And if , the charges be unreasonable , but there is none to take your part , seek fellowship elsewhere , praying for The Lord to open the door .

If the situation is confusing and unclear , then do little else , but pray and wait on the Lord , until He manifests what should be done .

And try not to let unstable emotions impair your God-given ability to reason .

Sincerely ,

wm
 
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christdriven

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According to God none of us are good enough to recieve the mercy and grace that covers us because of the cross, but His grace still covers us anyways. If you're doing your best thats great! Continue to do that, seek to do greater. I am sorry that your pastors are convincing you that you're a horrible person. I bet thats not the case. But we are all horrible, wicked people. Thats just the way we are because of the sin that is within us. Even those pastors that have told you these things are in need of Gods grace and forgiveness. God however can save us from ourselves, and our wickedness.
You are not "the devil" you are a sinner like everyone else that is in desperate need of God. I pray that you dont give up on Christ because of something someone said to you or about you. God loves you. Jesus Christ died for you. The christian life is not easy, but its worth living for. The amazing thing about Gods grace and forgiveness is that he gives us endless chances to make it right, when we seek him. Yes! keep praying, and be confident that God is looking down on you and loves you in the midst of everything you have done or will do.
 
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wayfaring man

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TheIdiot said:
No problem. I am the devil now aren't I? Thanks.I'll just pray some more.

If sarcasm interferes with plain speech , it is easily misunderstood .

If you are honestly seeking " christian advice " , it would help us who labor to offer it , for you to express yourself in a simple , straight-forward manner .



wm
 
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DawnTillery

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Acts 5:29 "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We outght to obey God rather than men"

We had a conversation last Sunday about something similiar how if someone does get off the track that we should approach that person in love, apparently somethings not right if anyone has told you something like what you are suggesting.
They dont have the right to judge you, if there was a problem they certainly could talk to you, but not the way you are describing.
Only GOD can judge you and I wouldnt worry about what anyone else is saying.
Id suggest praying for your pastors and then continue on your path with God..

TheIdiot said:
I was a christian but my pastors have convinced me I'm this horrible person who needs to be made an example of. What now? All I've done has been my best. Not good enough. No good deed will go unpunished.
 
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ub4me

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God loves you no matter what you've done,and there is nothing you can do to change that, He won't move, but will you ? He is there with open arms willing to forgive,(EVEN IF MAN ISN'T) will you accept it, or will you continue to remind God of what you did and how you dont deserve Him? Don't do the devil's job for him, he is the accuser of the brethern.
Hey just move on, stop beating youself up over this and let it be a strengthening expierience for you.
 
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GreatistheLord

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As another poster said, only God is the judge of man. We have all fallen, and *all* deserve the pit of hell.
It is *only* grace that keeps us from eternal damnation, but with that grace comes unmerited favour, mercy, forgiveness. Only ask God, and he will give freely.

Whatever you've done, you will have to face the consequences on earth, but know that repenting from your actions makes your heavenly Father overjoyed!
 
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MrsGnomeCrusher

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TheIdiot said:
I was a christian but my pastors have convinced me I'm this horrible person who needs to be made an example of. What now? All I've done has been my best. Not good enough. No good deed will go unpunished.

Why are you allowing this pastor have control over your self-worth and your feelings? When it all boils down, none of us are good enough, even the goold ol' pastor. I'd tell the pastor that he needs to encourage and not discourage and perhaps you should move on and find a new pastor.
 
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wayfaring man

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TheIdiot said:
My actions were doing as I was told. I taught a sunday school lesson which was evidently a bad thing. I did what I was told. I failed.

Apparently , the disapproval wasn't over " doing what you were told " , for why would one disapprove of what they themself had commanded ?!

Evidently , there was something in what you presented , or about the manner in which you presented it , that caused the " pastors " to object .

Without hearing the " lesson " , for ourself , we can't say much about it .

But if , " the pastors " are right and you said something incorrect , why look at it , as if , it means failure ? Why not look at it as a lesson in delivering a lesson ... everyone stumbles a bit before they learn to walk upright .

The world is full of extremes , and we are to learn , how each and every one of them can work for our everlasting good .

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. <-----> Romans 8:28

" All things " includes both pleasant and unpleasant , both happy and sad , both easy and difficult , both future and past .

May we look for , and perceive , and rejoice in , the good which God is working in each and every thing , in each and every day of our life . In Jesus Name . Amen .

wm
 
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heartnsoul

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The hardest for any one of us to do is look in the mirror. Even those of us who are the strongest of faith may sometimes let "ego" get in the way of facing the truths. Sometimes truths hurt and we do not want to accept it. One thing I have learned through my walk with God is that there are always lessons to be learned in life. Even in bad situations that happen, there is always at least one lesson to learn. Try to find that one lesson to be learned.

So, if your pastor is being harsh and mean, maybe his *delivery* of the message needs refining. That is his problem to work on between him and God. Try not to let your pastor's issues get your spirits down. Instead, see if there is any truth or merit to whatever criticism he has given you regarding your Sunday teaching. If you can figure what you may have said or communicated that may have offended someone, take that as a learning lesson to improve your teachings for the future.

One thing I know for sure...is that God will never give up on us and will continually love us and teach us as we go along in life. So whatever lessons you haven't learned yet, God will keep after us until it's learned. The key is not to become bitter. Lean on God for everything.

We are diamonds in the rough, always in process of being cut and polished to shine for God's glory. Never think that you are a failure. You are a precious gem in God's eyes.

Live, learn, grow and love...that is what life is all about. God bless you. :angel:
 
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TheIdiot

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fishstix said:
Somehow I don't think you're telling us the whole story.
OK, I prepared the sunday school lesson as asked. When I went to teach it the dry erase board was "missing". I could not find it. Another person in the church found it and I was rebuked for being late. I went to teach the lesson I'd prepared and my pastor said she didn't want to hear it and to teach something else. I did my best to teach what she'd requested. I taught it as it was taught to me. She said "that's it? Tell us more". I didn't know what to say. I testified about a true life event. She said something about I had obviously judged a person, which I had not done, simply shared the gospel with her. She sighed, the sunday school students laughed and giggled and pointed at me. I was mortified. What now? Am I evil for doing my best?
 
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