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Feeling Lost

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Kat:
Hi Beth,

Maybe you need to step back and look at the big picture.  God is not trying to save all mankind now, as the church teaches.  We are not trying to save 'people's souls' now, only God can bring one to salvation.  

John 6:44  No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

We know that God's plan is to save the vast majority of mankind in the Lake of fire. And even though that is going to be a difficult experience, God will recognize a person's works they did on this earth.  So people who are sincere in how they give and do for others, this is their good works, they are building character.  This is not in vain, they will receive a reward.

1Co 3:12  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
v.13  each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
v. 14  If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
v. 15  If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

God's plan is to only prepare a few now, so they can serve with Christ in bring the rest of mankind to salvation.

1Peter 2:9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

John 15:16  You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you.

And what are the fruits of the spirit, to witness and save others now?  NO.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
v. 23  meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

These are all things that come from His Spirit indwelling and being reflected in how we live.  We show this in our everyday life, how we react and deal with everything that comes up.  This is not an easy way of life, it is not a show, our minds must be transformed and renewed to follow Christ's commandments from the heart.

Rom 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Prayer is the key, seek God.  We should pray without ceasing (1Thes 5:17), so to speak, and we should always pray for each other.  You are in my prayers.

2Th 1:11  Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,
v. 12  that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

mercy, peace, and love
Kat

dawnnnny:
Hi everyone,

I just need to say how much I appreciate everyone's responses to people when they write in with questions or concerns.  It so much helps me to take what Ray has written and meditate on it as "applied to every day life". 

Beth - I will pray for you.  I've never been a part of a church and I'm finding that now maybe that was a good thing.  But for years I thought there was something wrong with me and I had this desire for fellowship that never was met, yet going to church left me feeling empty.  I had people say "well, you just need to enter in" yet (being shy), this was always difficult for me.  I longed for something for years that I find today maybe wasn't such a bad thing missing from my walk.   ;)

But -- BUT I have felt lonely, so very lonely.  I have a small family and they really don't want to even talk about theology (as I do).  Yet one day, a good internet buddy said something like "there is a blessing in solitude" -- and I've pondered that many times.

If you decide to stay out of church, I would suggest a change in perspective on what you "have left".  Instead of looking at it as something negative (or lonely), look on it as a blessing for a reason.  You can find other things to do (those good works) to help people.  That doesn't have to be done in church. 

The first time I came back here to check responses to my welcome post, there were so many wonderful people that welcomed me in.  It felt like church, like a REAL church.  I hope you can have that same feeling here.    :)

Deborah-Leigh:
Hello Beth

PLEASE don't be deceived.

WHO ARE THE ‘FALSE CHRISTS?’

Who are they who almost deceive the VERY ELECT and DECEIVE MANY? We read that they are "false Christs" and "false prophets." But WHO are these false Christs and false prophets? How will we know them? What IDENTIFIES them as false prophets, liars, and deceivers? I WILL MAKE THIS SO SCRIPTURALLY PLAIN THAT A TEN YEAR OLD CAN UNDERSTAND IT!

At this time I will give you just two Scriptures where Jesus gives us the IDENTIFYING SIGNS of the these false teachers, and deceivers:

"MANY will say to me [Jesus] in that day, Lord, Lord [Master, Master], have we not:
 
A: PROPHESIED [taught, preached] in Thy Name [Jesus]?
 
B: In Thy Name [Jesus] have CAST OUT DEVILS [demons]?
 
C: And in Thy Name [Jesus] done MANY WONDERFUL WORKS [miracles]?
 
And then will I profess [plainly, openly, tell them to their face] I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME YOU THAT WORK INIQUITY [lawlessness]" (Matt. 7:22-23).
  
"For MANY shall come in my name, saying [that], I [Jesus] am Christ, and shall deceive MANY" (Matt. 24:5).
Who are the "MANY" today who, (1) Teach and preach in the name of Jesus Christ? (2) Cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ? (3) Do MANY (not a few, but many) WONDERFUL WORKS (not evils works, but good and wonderful works), in the name of Jesus Christ? Who? The Russians? The Chinese? The Muslims? The Hindus? The Confucianists? The Buddhists? The Shintoists? The Zoroastrians? The Jews? The QUARTER BILLION Ethnic Religionists? The HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION Athiests? Do ANY of these worldwide religions "teach, preach, cast out demons, and do many wonderful works IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST?" No, they don’t!

Well then, WHO ARE THESE "MANY" who do these things?

Do "MANY" of the TWO BILLION CHRISTIANS in the world today, "teach, preach, cast out demons, and do many wonderful works IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST?" Then I would say that we have identified the "many" that Jesus warned us about. It is not enough to preach, teach, heal, and cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. One has to also OBEY the commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus said that it is the "many" who do good words, but are guilty of "iniquity" which means "lawlessness."

Next, who are the "MANY" today who say that, "Jesus IS THE CHRIST, THE MESSIAH?" No, don’t be deceived; it is not those few who occasionally claim that they themselves are "Jesus the Christ." They don’t deceive the "many." Only some fool would ever be deceived into believing that some carnal idiot really IS the Christ. Besides, there are NOT "many" who make such a claim in the first place.

But there certainly are "MANY" who say and teach that JESUS is the REAL CHRIST! And so it is not only those who "teach and preach and cast out demons and do many wonderful works in the name of Jesus" who are DECEIVING THE MANY, but also there is a large group (many) who teach that "Jesus really IS THE CHRIST" and yet Jesus said it would be these that are also DECEIVING THE MANY!

Millions of Christians have heard these Scriptures quoted all their lives. But, God forbid that they would pause a minute or two to consider WHO REALLY ARE THESE PEOPLE THAT JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT THAT REALLY DO THESE MANY WONDERFUL THINGS AND YET … DECEIVE THE MANY!!

http://bible-truths.com/lake8.html

Be the best Wife and Mother and student of God's Word that you can.

You do not have to teach anyone anything! You do not have to convince or save anyone.

I believe part of your suffering right now is because you are seeing that the many called are unwilling to take up their cross to follow Christ. They would much rather do good works instead. The few that do take up their cross to follow Christ, are separated from the many. This is not a bad thing. It is a miraculous work of God.

Peace be to you and may God bless you in your needs and difficulties at this trying time for you Beth.

Arcturus. :)

gmik:
Beth, I cannot add to these wonderful posts to you.  I got blessed reading them.

I will pray for you.  Please know you are not alone in those thoughts.  I know ALOT of people who "love"God and "work" for Him far more than I do.  My son has said the same thing to me like "well, where is your fruit, what are you doing".  This weekend w/ relatives I was a blubbering fool.  I couldn't remember any scriptures and they were saying this bible study we go to and this meeting for this ie...very active in church must equal more holy!! I couldn't wait for them to leave.  I know their whole drive home was probably talking about what nut jobs we are :D

But when I got back to this forum, aaahhhh, sanity returned. This is the truth.  They just don't know it yet.

I just put my mom in a nursing home.  But look over in Who am I and see Janice as the caregiver for her dad.  But I can't compare the journey we each have been given by God, or feel guilty or remorse.

Reread and hang on to these posts you have been given. We all love you and will pray.  Take a deep breath and say over and over....HE loves me and is Faithful and HE will take care of me.

pylady:
Hi Beth,

I can understand how you feel.  There are many good people inthe churches.
We have to remember that it serves God's purpose to keep these people in darkness for now.  And He is working within the churches in that He is bringing His chosen ones out of her.

It's difficult and it can be confusing to have a conversation about beliefs.   >:(There is so little common ground between what the churches teach and the REAL TRUTH.  Only God can open up their eyes to see and ears to hear.  I personally, and I think others feel the same, don't bring up the subject.  When I've tried talking about the truths I've learned I found much to my surprise that others weren't so enthralled, not even interested, downright nasty about it!  Imagine that!    :o ::) :o  But I know something they don't know.  God in time will open even the most stubborn heart, open up even the most blind eyes!  If I remember that it keeps me from being hurt or even embarrassed over their lack of interest. ;)

Don't trouble your heart thinking that some cruel joke is being played upon these people because they believe they are making a difference in this world.  Many of them are doing good works.  And their good works will be remembered by the great Judge in the  WTJ.

It's not the good works that are wrong.  It's the false teachings which blaspheme our Father's character that is wrong.  And they use these "good works" to lend credibility to their false teachings.  The churches think their mandate is to teach the "good news of the kingdom", and they use their good works as a way to reach others.  BUT, they're not really teaching the good news are they?  They're teaching a lie!

Jesus said false worshippers would perform wonderful works. So how can we recognize true worshippers?

John 4:23,24  "...true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth,
                   for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit, and
                   they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

Beth, please continue on your own one-on-one walk with our Lord.  PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, and worship Him in spirit and in truth.  You don't really believe that the God of love cannot and/or will not save His children, do you?  You have been blessed to know the truth. ;D

The one scripture that stands above others when I've been feeling tried and tested has been  Proverbs 3:5,6

      "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
        understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
        direct thy paths."

We all want to lean on our own understanding.  But He says don't do it- TRUST IN HIM (even if we don't understand what's happening)  It can feel like freefalling sometimes.  Very frightening.  But after awhile you get to like it!   :D

I'll pray that God gives you peace, Beth. 

          With Christian Love,

                        Cindy

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