> Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship
Forum Blues
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: bambam on July 11, 2009, 05:31:33 PM ---Dear Joe,
I always wish to share my heart and my thoughts on here but I know that I am just a babe. You are wise. God has blessed this forum with some wise and humble moderators, and pride has always been one of my problems!!;-) thank you for the balance you bring. There is a peace here because of it. I do not get to comment much, but I LOVE to read and sometimes ask questions. I also listen to the audios and videos from Ray and have been learning much. So thank you for this place and praise be to God for it! I hope I do not have to leave again! I missed it so!
Beth :)
--- End quote ---
Hello Beth,
Although I do appreciate your kind words I know that I have a very long road to travel before I could even use the word wise in describing myself.
I know there are quite a few people out there (members and guests alike) who have struggles with husbands, wives, relatives and friends who find many of the beliefs we share to be heretical even devilish. It can be a lonely journey at times but this is exactly how God designed it! Yes, it is good to have people we can relate to spiritually but the most important thing is our One on one relationship with Christ, the source of all the wisdom any of us might attain.
There is no doubt your particular situation has touched many people.
His Peace and Strength to you Sister,
Joe
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: ez2u on July 11, 2009, 08:47:16 PM ---
I have been here a couple of years. Everyone here seems ,to me , at different growth areas. At one time I stop posting and did stop reading but kept remembering the life that was here. So i came back to listen and read. It has taken me some time to get in part the message. I am probably one of those very mess up person that Christ has mercy upon and teaches and draws to Him. I feel very blessed. I know this forum is not perfect it has some issues. Jesus Christ is the perfect one., but i have so many too, and I am getting fed on this forum, Thank You JESUS!!!! so people coming and going there is a reason for that. God will bring those back whom He wants too. What my prayer is Lord give me the ability to know what is Your will and the strength to do it and to persevere. God bless peggy
--- End quote ---
Hi Peggy,
Yes we are all in "different growth areas" as even in the physical world no two things can occupy the same exact space it is true in our spiritual journey, but we are all in God's omnipresence at all times! We can never journey outside of His watchful eye.
I am right with you as far as being one who messes up often and relies on the mercy of Christ to continue in this spiritual walk, I can say confidently that we are not alone in that regard Sister!
Your prayer really does sum up what this experience should be all about.
Peace,
Joe
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: mharrell08 on July 12, 2009, 01:00:29 AM ---Thank you for this post Joe and I want to add on only 1 thing for all of us:
Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Matt 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me [the Lord] with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mark 7:6 He [Jesus] answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
These posts that Joe, Craig, George, Nelson, and many others have created here and in times past, by the Will of God, are a true blessing. They speak to us directly to turn us away from our carnal attitudes and repent of who & what we are.
But they have to be more than words in our lives...it is not enough to say, 'Great post...I really need that', but then to fall away and back into carnal lusts of the heart. One would have been better to not say anything than to 'draw nigh with their lips, though their hearts are far away'. Aren't we all TIRED of the same run around...the same back-biting...the same silly doctrinal issues that are more about one's knowledge than their love of Christ?
Think about the children of Israel...'our admonition' [1 Cor 10:11]...even if you don't know or understand all the types/shadows that are present in the OT, there is one thing that is very obvious about the ancient Israelites that the scriptures harp on more than anything: THEY CONTINUALLY FELL AWAY FROM WHAT WAS PLEASING TO THE LORD...CONSISTENTLY! You don't have to be a biblical scholar to see that...and that's what WE have to stop doing as well. Otherwise, what's the point?
Now, we know that of ourselves, we can do nothing [John 15:5]...so let us look unto the Lord, as we are complete in Him [Col 2:10]. But THIS is what we need to repent of...this is what we need to ask him to work IN us...this change of who & what we are, completely. Otherwise, how are we any different...how are learning from the examples of the ancient Israelites?
Let us not be as that nation, hypocrites and back-sliding...the Lord has something BETTER for us [Heb 11:40]...if we don't repent and seek the Lord from these admonitions these members have shown us but only give lip service, we will not go further in our walk with Christ. Repent means to turn away from...to stop doing it...not just talk about it, but do it.
Thanks,
Marques
--- End quote ---
Dear Brother Marques,
There really isn't much I can add to your excellent message. The "doing" really is the hard part isn't it? I hope folks take what you wrote to heart, I know I have gained from it!
Peace,
Joe
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: walt123 on July 12, 2009, 09:13:55 AM ---Thanks Joe for that post
I remember when God led me to the site,it has taken me almost a couple of months reading after work.
To be honset i am not into chic chatting, but most of the time get to the point kind of person,like so whats the
conclusion of the matter already.but i am learning slowly but surely ,to have balance in understanding
other non Scripture points ,chewing the fat so to speak.
I don't post much but I do quick scanning on the forum and read what i think is interesting.
This is just my personal thoughts at this time.
PS. It is good having this forum to come to with people who have the same goal as is on rays site.
Walt.
--- End quote ---
Hi Walt,
What you wrote defines exactly what keeps this place interesting as well as frustrating for me (I am quite sure I am not alone). Some folks are deliberate, circumspect and are not given to jump in with both feet before thoroughly evaluating a given situation. Often after a period of sorting through stupid and impetuous words and/or deeds of mine things will slow down and I realize that unbridled enthusiasm can breed impatience which gives birth to thoughtlessness which in turn can lead to a multitude of ungodly behaviors.
Impulsiveness has always been an issue for me and I can directly apply that trait to many problems I have experienced and caused, of course many bitter moments of self evaluation followed when even through my best effort self justification did not cut it.
During these periods I have wished (eventually began to pray) that I could be more like you have described yourself, unconcerned with making a splash, taking time to understand a matter without that feeling of anxiousness and a self imposed frenzy that has often caused me and those around me more trouble than is or was necessary.
Thankfully the Lord has been tapping me on the shoulder more often of late before I actually begin to allow my "energetic" old man take control of things, yes from time to time I still fail but it is recognized much earlier and my self justification skills have eroded immensely.
You might be asking "what the heck does this have to do with what was quoted by Walt?" ???
Well, I have learned (often the hard way) that when we react impulsively even to what could be considered a good thing and especially to things we find disagreeable we are very susceptible to the temptations of our adversary and I believe that is the reason patience is valued so highly throughout the scriptures.
No doubt Peter was full of good intentions but his impulsiveness sure earned him plenty of rebukes and hard lessons during his journey with Jesus.
John on the other hand (with a couple exceptions) displayed more of a trusting and patient attitude that certainly appeared to please our Lord.
Thank you for your response.
Peace,
Joe
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on July 12, 2009, 10:00:51 AM ---I couldn't help it. I had to check in. I'm glad I did. I've done a lot of praying for the last two days.
I'm still taking a break, but I realize that I can't and don't want to be away for a long period of time.
I know that I'm am in a trial, being tested and humbled.
I'm having personal issues that I wish I could share with just the forum.
I agree with, and share with all of the above post. I know that this is where God wants me to be. We have to have the fellowship. There is no where else we can do this.
Just letting everyone know that I'm here to stay.
There is much I could talk about right now, but this is Joe's thread, and a good one too.
One thing for sure is I am not a quitter. I don't mind putting my foot in my mouth when I say things on the forum.I have learned all too well that I have to make mistakes.I've made them all my life, but this is one place I can make them and be corrected in love and compassion and understanding and wisdom, etc.
Peace
Roy
--- End quote ---
Hey there Roy,
A bit of time has passed since you posted this and praise God the issues you referred to seem to have become less stressful and perhaps have begun to heal.
Your fellowship and openness are greatly appreciated!
Peace,
Joe
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