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=> General Discussions => Topic started by: Gina on December 17, 2011, 08:05:32 PM
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That's probably the stupidest question, but I have to ask. Thank you for your responses.
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That's probably the stupidest question, but I have to ask. Thank you for your responses.
When you no longer have the desire to do the carnal activities you enjoyed once before. Being converted works in increments, God giving you the victory over one vice at a time.
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I suspect that for me that's going to take more than the time I have left in this life.
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Nonsense Gina... ;D
Time doesn't give you the victory. God does! Remember Damascus? LOL :D ;D
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Ops...sorry Gina...wrong nonsence!...That should have been addressed to Onelovedread....forgive the tippsy party slip! LOL
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G. ...as for "stupidest questions"...I don't think there is such a thing! LOL ;D :D
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I know for sure that I'm being pulled out of the world.
I was five when my father picked me up and stuck me on the roof of our shed to keep me from annoying him while he tried to relax with the family in our backyard one summer afternoon in Maryland (it was piping hot that day, and the shed roof was covered with those black shingles). I thought I was just being playful, but my dad was in no mood! I remember how mad at myself I became because instead of making my father happy, I made him angry, and instead of being able to play with my family, I was forced to be separate from them--all I could do was watch and observe. And my dad pretended I didn't exist and ignored every plea from me to give me another chance. lol To a five-year-old, a half hour seems like an eternity. Consequently, I never annoyed my dad like that again.
As an adult I can see that that was likely the beginning of God's "chastisement" (Heb. 12:6) on me.
It's not easy being a lump of clay. But I'm sure learning a lot! ;D
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There's a saying....Fire is a poor Master but a good Servant.
If fire masters you, it will burn you out of hand.
If you have mastered fire, then....as a Ministering Spirit!....
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Who shall be heirs of salvation? Everyone! Non lost!
English translation?
The mind will individually, badger, harrass and plague the conscience to succumb into bondage and imprisonment. Part of the process. :D All meant to be. ;D Nothing wrong. 8)
A conscience set free, is free in deed. Who the Lord sets free, right... 8) ;D
Heb 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
If you are miserable, unkind, suspicious, fearful and hateful of other God has created...if you are unforgiving, resentful, unappreciative and deceitful...then hey...guess what....You're miserable! :D
If you are joyful, trusting, delighting in the Lord of Heaven and Earth, appreciative of life and love, joy and peace, kindness and goodness...then guess what...You've woken up! ;D
Glory to God!......for family! We are not alone! No one is alone...ever!
God's with us!...the True Light of Love and Joy.
A GREAT question Gina. Thank you~
Hoping others will bring their own UNIQUE perspectives, colors and light of joy in perceptions to answer you further!
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There's a saying....Fire is a poor Master but a good Servant.
If fire masters you, it will burn you out of hand.
If you have mastered fire, then....as a Ministering Spirit!....
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Who shall be heirs of salvation? Everyone! Non lost!
English translation?
The mind will individually, badger, harrass and plague the conscience to succumb into bondage and imprisonment. Part of the process. :D All meant to be. ;D Nothing wrong. 8)
A conscience set free, is free in deed. Who the Lord sets free, right... 8) ;D
Heb 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
If you are miserable, unkind, suspicious, fearful and hateful of other God has created...if you are unforgiving, resentful, unappreciative and deceitful...then hey...guess what....You're miserable! :D
If you are joyful, trusting, delighting in the Lord of Heaven and Earth, appreciative of life and love, joy and peace, kindness and goodness...then guess what...You've woken up! ;D
Glory to God!......for family! We are not alone! No one is alone...ever!
God's with us!...the True Light of Love and Joy.
A GREAT question Gina. Thank you~
Hoping others will bring their own UNIQUE perspectives, colors and light of joy in perceptions to answer you further!
Yes--God is definitely speaking to me. These are the very things I've been meditating on for quite some time now, Deb. Thank you so much.
Thank you everyone!
Muahhh my brothers and sisters!
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You are always welcome Gina! :)
xx
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That's probably the stupidest question, but I have to ask. Thank you for your responses.
When you no longer have the desire to do the carnal activities you enjoyed once before. Being converted works in increments, God giving you the victory over one vice at a time.
How is one to know when it is "no longer" since one can't live eternally? What then of those who don't have a desire so say for 20 years and then one day it changes? And since we are carnal creatures with a physical organ called the brain and this chemistry can be changed due to life changes, injury etc. how can it be judged on "desire"? Is not desire a carnal attribute?
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....do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Psa 37:4 Delight thyself also in THE LORD; and HE SHALL GIVE THEE THE DESIRES OF THINE HEART. ~ 8) :)
Php 2:13 For it is God Who Works in you, both to WILL and to DO of His Good Pleasure ~ ;D
How do you know when you "no longer" have the desire to do the carnal activities you enjoyed once before?
You don't enjoy them anymore!
Why?
Because....while you walked in the ways of this world and obeyed the Prince of the powers of the air, the spirits that are now at work in the hearts of the sons of disobedience--to you God has given Life.
Eph 2:3 Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by the inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of those natures and of our own thoughts, and were in our original state deserving of anger like all others.
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Hi Gena
I Experience salvation or being converted as a process, which might be different from the way that anybody else experiences it.
I was like Peter and said, "I will never deny you Lord." And then the Lord turned to the rest of his disciples and said, "And you will all leave me."
I had to leave the Lord, (sort of come to the end of my rope) before I could come back and He gave me a new heart.
He is teaching me that there is nothing of me and my efforts that is of any use to Him.
He must increase and I must decrease, and that has been my daily experience.
It was at that time that the Scriptures started to become alive and meaningful and thus my hunger for the Word increased.
I began to see with a single eye. (Matthew 6:22)
Seeing beyond what I saw and able to love like I was never able to love before.
These are all things that I as a christian had been striving for all my live.
And so the journey goes, each one has a unique one, we learn from each other and encourage each other.
Hope this makes some sense.
Thank you for posting that question.
In His love,
John.
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How is one to know when it is "no longer" since one can't live eternally? What then of those who don't have a desire so say for 20 years and then one day it changes?
As to your first question, when one receives immortality, they will live forever. Death will have no more power over them.
As to your 2nd question, Christ said that he who endures 'to the end' will be saved. The end is when you have been through God's judgments and are made righteous.
And since we are carnal creatures with a physical organ called the brain and this chemistry can be changed due to life changes, injury etc. how can it be judged on "desire"? Is not desire a carnal attribute?
No, desire is not a carnal attribute. It is what you desire that condemns one to sin.
Hope this helps,
Marques
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Marques:
No, desire is not a carnal attribute. It is what you desire that condemns one to sin.
Yes, "...and the books were opened."
Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And as Alex/lilitalianboi said, "desires."
Man, when your "book" is opened and you can see inside your heart, and you find you don't like what you see there, but you realize you can't do anything about it, that is flipping disappointing to say the least.
Here comes da judge... He comes da judge...
When we no longer have a desire to do the things we once did, it's as if we've gone from being completely okay with soiling our diapers to desiring to use the bathroom. ;D Though, some kids have to be practically "dragged" to the bathroom by their parents, kicking and screaming, "But I don't wannaaaaa..."
Then, we get to the place where we actually prefer to use the bathroom, and then we actually find that we do use it, because the other way is uncomfortable because it's messy and embarrassing. :P
Gee, if only most things in life were so easily converted.
:D :D :D :D :D
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Hi River,
How is one to know when it is "no longer" since one can't live eternally? What then of those who don't have a desire so say for 20 years and then one day it changes? And since we are carnal creatures with a physical organ called the brain and this chemistry can be changed due to life changes, injury etc. how can it be judged on "desire"? Is not desire a carnal attribute?
Also remember that God is in control of all things and the Elect are "His workmanship."
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
God is more than just choosing a people out of the millions of prospects that are in this world, He has picked us from before we were born.
Eph 1:4 according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Now He is carefully preparing those He has chosen, "preparing a place," every day of our lives and you can be assured "that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion."
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Php 1:6 And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
The Elect are in God and that is a very good safe place to be.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
v. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
v. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
v. 30 I and the Father are one."
This is why there is no need to worry and fret about anything, just do the best you can and God will "complete" the work He is doing in us.
Mat 6:34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall be anxious for its own things. Sufficient to the day is the evil of it.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice!
v. 5 Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
v. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
v. 7 And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
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You can be assured that "that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion."
Yes!! Thanks, Kat!
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How is one to know when it is "no longer" since one can't live eternally? What then of those who don't have a desire so say for 20 years and then one day it changes?
As to your first question, when one receives immortality, they will live forever. Death will have no more power over them.
As to your 2nd question, Christ said that he who endures 'to the end' will be saved. The end is when you have been through God's judgments and are made righteous.
And since we are carnal creatures with a physical organ called the brain and this chemistry can be changed due to life changes, injury etc. how can it be judged on "desire"? Is not desire a carnal attribute?
No, desire is not a carnal attribute. It is what you desire that condemns one to sin.
Hope this helps,
Marques
Yes, you could assume someone could live forever but since living is not done all at once, this is what I am asking. A person can have a time frame where they live and don't desire something but then it may come back again. And I don't understand how you say desire can't be a carnal thing. All the sins listed we are told to abstain from are either survival, reproductive etc. actions all humans are subjected to. So are you talking about a future event that no one has experinced yet? And again we must be talking only of a faith matter because there is no way to prove someone is going to remain converted since no one has yet lived forever.
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I LOVE the bathroom diaper analogy Gina!!!! ;D LOL ;D
1Jn 2:16 because all that is in the world, the LUST of the flesh, and the LUST of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passes away, and the LUST of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Jas 1:14 But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death.....just like a poo in a diaper....~ :D ;D
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Yes, you could assume someone could live forever but since living is not done all at once, this is what I am asking. A person can have a time frame where they live and don't desire something but then it may come back again. And I don't understand how you say desire can't be a carnal thing. All the sins listed we are told to abstain from are either survival, reproductive etc. actions all humans are subjected to. So are you talking about a future event that no one has experinced yet? And again we must be talking only of a faith matter because there is no way to prove someone is going to remain converted since no one has yet lived forever.
So your point is: how can one ever be sure they are converted when they could simply backslide at a later date/time? And you also say this must be a 'faith matter' since it would be impossible to prove, seeing that no one has lived forever.
Your first point: The verse I reference above was Christ saying 'he who endures to the end'. So obviously there is an end. One does not wrestle with the flesh for all eternity. There will come a time when God will be finished judging and correcting you, Jesus says so Himself. That is 'the end' that is spoken of, that is when you will be saved. Whether it happens all in this age or continues into the next, the point is, there is an end.
Your 2nd point: I believe God has already proved Himself in this regard. God has proved Himself in more ways imaginable and I don't think it is a stretch to believe He will convert every human soul and KEEP them converted.
Ray talks about how he knows the scriptures are true. One reason he mentions often is the apostle Paul. He truly believes Paul was not a fraud and was who he said he was. My reason is somewhat different. I know the scriptures are true because they talk about me. Only someone who is God could look into my heart and soul, condemn my sin, and turn me around. I see it all over the scriptures...that's how I know they are true to me.
The reason why I mention this is because if you need things 'proved' to you concerning the things that God says, it will happen. Lots of people need proof. God has only given people 'a measure of faith' [Rom 12:3], only a portion. And not everyone's portion is the same. But the point is, it will happen.
Marques
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Yes, you could assume someone could live forever but since living is not done all at once, this is what I am asking. A person can have a time frame where they live and don't desire something but then it may come back again. And I don't understand how you say desire can't be a carnal thing. All the sins listed we are told to abstain from are either survival, reproductive etc. actions all humans are subjected to. So are you talking about a future event that no one has experinced yet? And again we must be talking only of a faith matter because there is no way to prove someone is going to remain converted since no one has yet lived forever.
So your point is: how can one ever be sure they are converted when they could simply backslide at a later date/time? And you also say this must be a 'faith matter' since it would be impossible to prove, seeing that no one has lived forever.
Your first point: The verse I reference above was Christ saying 'he who endures to the end'. So obviously there is an end. One does not wrestle with the flesh for all eternity. There will come a time when God will be finished judging and correcting you, Jesus says so Himself. That is 'the end' that is spoken of, that is when you will be saved. Whether it happens all in this age or continues into the next, the point is, there is an end.
Your 2nd point: I believe God has already proved Himself in this regard. God has proved Himself in more ways imaginable and I don't think it is a stretch to believe He will convert every human soul and KEEP them converted.
Ray talks about how he knows the scriptures are true. One reason he mentions often is the apostle Paul. He truly believes Paul was not a fraud and was who he said he was. My reason is somewhat different. I know the scriptures are true because they talk about me. Only someone who is God could look into my heart and soul, condemn my sin, and turn me around. I see it all over the scriptures...that's how I know they are true to me.
The reason why I mention this is because if you need things 'proved' to you concerning the things that God says, it will happen. Lots of people need proof. God has only given people 'a measure of faith' [Rom 12:3], only a portion. And not everyone's portion is the same. But the point is, it will happen.
Marques
Marques, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer all my questions on this matter.
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Deb
I LOVE the bathroom diaper analogy Gina!!!! ;D LOL ;D
lol, Deb! Glad you liked. I first heard my sister Cheri use that term (she borrowed it from our brother Scott) like 15 years ago, or something. I've never forgotten that. lol
Jas 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death.....just like a poo in a diaper....~ :D ;D
Lol! Or, on a more serious note, it could be said that sin, when it is fully-formed, brings forth sleep via Father Time Who comes along and says something like this: "It's time for you to go to bed. Nite-nite" ;D ;D
And with that, I'm going beddy-bye. Later, party people.
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Ah...That's why the diaper is a classic! It has a lineage! :D
It just gets better...what you said about sleep is Dazzling! 8)
Peace and quiet comes after the party....~ :)
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Indeed, Deb. Peace and quiet comes after the party. You get it.
I got a bit of a revelation last night when I was turning in for the night. I realized that we know we're converted when we would rather be on the forum reading and learning than doing our will.
Marques said, we know we're converted when we no longer have the desire to do the carnal activities you enjoyed once before.
And that's certainly true, except that we have to go one MAJOR step beyond that, and actually do the activities we desire--the ones that line up with what God desires we do. And the only way that's going to happen is when God works in us to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil 2:13) I realized last night that I get more joy and satisfaction out of this forum than I do other things and my behavior is actually changing. That ol' diaper analogy at work here.
YEAH!
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Righteous? lol I don't know about that, Mr.
The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not ANYTHING." (Ecc. 9:5)
;D
I might only be dying to self a little bit. :-*
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Indeed, Deb. Peace and quiet comes after the party. You get it.
I got a bit of a revelation last night when I was turning in for the night. I realized that we know we're converted when we would rather be on the forum reading and learning than doing our will.
Marques said, we know we're converted when we no longer have the desire to do the carnal activities you enjoyed once before.
And that's certainly true, except that we have to go one MAJOR step beyond that, and actually do the activities we desire--the ones that line up with what God desires we do. And the only way that's going to happen is when God works in us to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil 2:13) I realized last night that I get more joy and satisfaction out of this forum than I do other things and my behavior is actually changing. That ol' diaper analogy at work here.
YEAH!
I'm confused because everything we do is a carnal activity is it not? Or do you mean we just sin less and less.
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Hi, Rob
No, I don't believe everything we do is a carnal activity. I may be wrong but, when we're praying for others, that's not carnal, is it? When we're encouraging / edifying others via the forum, that's not carnal, is it?
It's like Marques said, we don't desire to do those things as we used to, and as I said because we desire to do things that are Godly. We'll never be completely sin free while still in the flesh, but God can get us to this point if He wills:
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign [to RULE your life in your
mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
That's a good thing.
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Hi Rob,
It is true that it is just not in this flesh to do good, as Paul said.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing. For to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I do not find.
How can we escape this body of death?
James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
v. 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
If the Holy Spirit is indwelling then we can produce good works/fruit, that Spirit will do it in us and through us.
John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
v. 5 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Now I do not believe that means that there is no other good works in the world, besides what the Elect do. Because God's Spirit moves and works throughtout the whole world 'with' (but not indwelling) people as He sees fit. Not all works will be burned up in the Lake of Fire either, the good will remain.
1Co 3:11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
v. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw--
v. 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
v. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
v. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
v. 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
So it is only those Elect that is in Christ and He in them, that these works/fruit are being developed at this time towards them being prepare for the first resurrection.
John 17:20 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word,
v. 21 that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that you have sent Me.
v. 22 The glory that you have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one,
v. 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
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"The motive is the deed."
If a heart is self seeking, it may perform deeds that appear self sacrificing.
Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
If a heart is God seeking, then deeds that follow will show the Glory of God and by consequence others seeing such good works shall glorify God in the day of their visitation.
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Arc
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1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
ee-boy
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Ha....thank you! Yes...I see it now... manifesting the shadow and the light...ie division, separation, fear and guilt.
ops! again! :D
....practise practise practise! ~ ;D
...converting...Arc
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For me it is an ongoing process until that day when we get saved. Ray often talks about the Aorist tense used in Greek.....I am being converted (ongoing....does not stop), day by day..... learning how to overcome certain things in my life and yearning to become more like Jesus.....
Anyhoooow... just my thoughts on being converted
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Yep, Heidi, it's all in the ing: becoming, God is molding/re-fashioning our hearts.
Reminds me of what Ray said at the Nashville conference:
This is the Word of God. He put us in these bodies that want to sin and follow after lustful, stupid, sensual, fun, fuzzy things. But if in your heart and mind you don’t want that anymore, not that you don’t want, but you don’t want to want it. So you cry out to God and say, ‘I don’t want to want it.’ Then God is your Father, He’ll come to your rescue. Just like any Father would come to any child’s rescue, when he cries out to him. http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4472.0.html (http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4472.0.html)
That was such a relief to hear him say that, because I've said that soooo many times. Ray's so awesome.
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Thats the whole problem for me, I don't know what I'm supposed to not want!! I live in a small 2 bedroom apartment with my severly disabled daughter...should I just be content with this or am I allowed to WANT my own home? Everyday is the same for me, because my daughter requires constant care. While friends and family travel, get married, buy homes, get to socialize, I'm stuck at home and feel life is passing me by.
I know all my wants should be of a spirtual nature...wisdom, understanding, but it's such a struggle not to want a better life for myself in this age because I grew up very poor and my life has turned of very different than I envisioned as a youngster. To be simply put, I feel my life is a mess and I don't know what I should or should not want.
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If you knew...I know, I know, I heard you say you don't know...but...If you did know, what you wanted...just let's pretend for a while...if you did know...and I know you don't....but if you did...what would you know, you wanted...if you knew...
Just one thing...what would it be?
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Thats the whole problem for me, I don't know what I'm supposed to not want!! I live in a small 2 bedroom apartment with my severly disabled daughter...should I just be content with this or am I allowed to WANT my own home? Everyday is the same for me, because my daughter requires constant care. While friends and family travel, get married, buy homes, get to socialize, I'm stuck at home and feel life is passing me by.
I know all my wants should be of a spirtual nature...wisdom, understanding, but it's such a struggle not to want a better life for myself in this age because I grew up very poor and my life has turned of very different than I envisioned as a youngster. To be simply put, I feel my life is a mess and I don't know what I should or should not want.
Somebody else can lay the scripture on you, I'm going to try to boost your comfort level.
Don't kid yourself here bubba, you're a hero. There is no one else on this god's green earth that has more salt...... than you.......for her, no one else can wear those boots.
Know that, don't forget it.
You, and the guy I saw yesterday standing in the grocery store line with his severly disabled daughter/sister..(?)........are hero's. She was looking up at him with admiration and a smile never left his face, or hers, the whole time in line. I admired him too. Made me damn near go to tears knowing there are people like you on this earth.
Trust me when I tell you that I understand your statement, here:
"because I grew up very poor and my life has turned of very different than I envisioned as a youngster"
But then again, most everyone will fit into, or at least part of, that statement. So consider yourself normal in that respect.
Know this: I've seen alot of bad things in this world and I've seen alot of bad people do bad things to people for no reason other than pure and simple -rot-in-the-heart, circumstances prevailing or not, some people are just shiddy to the bone. But every dog has it's day and some of them got their's sooner than they expected. It's good to be reminded from time to time that there ARE people like you in this world that God sees fit to put bravery and kindness combined in the least expected places.
I'll never believe for a minute that God doesn't have you in mind bud, now or in the next. If he doesn't, then I don't want him around anyhow.
Don't get too hung up in this world and it's cares and desires, they're as thin as the paper you could write it down on.
You.... just keep on doing what you're doing. In my mind, as Bush said we needed, you're a point of light. And you are. And that light is shining so that someone else can see their way.
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Wow, Rob, I'm sorry I just saw your post.
It's hardly a sin to want to have your own home. But what if you're not getting a home? Is it because you're praying for the wrong thing? Or is it that God is trying to save you from further headaches. We can be house poor or rent poor. Having a house isn't all there is. (I used to want lots of expensive crap but I don't anymore because it costs a lot of money to maintain expensive crap. haha!) Not sayin you want expensive crap. Just me.
GK is right, man, you are a hero! You're doing something my own FATHER couldn't do. I was just telling one of my friends about you and how you're taking care of your daughter -- it's awe-inspiring, Rob. It's really humbling. I think about you all the time and believe me, I'm praying that God lifts your spirit and puts a smile on your face so huge the temples in your head hurt.
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and p.s. No! All of our wants don't have to be of a spiritual nature. I don't believe that. How could we survive in this weak flesh (which was so graciously given us by God -- no joke) if all we were given were air to breathe. We want food--because we NEED food. We want air because we NEED air. We want love, because we NEED love and human touch in the proper perspective. I guarantee you you're not praying for the wrong things.
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GK and Gina, Thank you so much for your kind words and I will tell you this..I have never loved anyone as much as I love her. And I will continue to look after her as long as I am able. Everything is in His hands, I just have to learn to trust that what He is doing in our lives is a very good work indeed!
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You are very, very welcome Rob.
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I am not sure if someone posted it yet, but i do remember in one of ray's papers he mentioned that after 3 years with Jesus, peter was not converted. He was converted after spending time seeing, handling, and eating with the Master. I am sure for some it will take alot of time. But if i was perfect in this life i would not need God.
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I am not sure if someone posted it yet, but i do remember in one of ray's papers he mentioned that after 3 years with Jesus, peter was not converted. He was converted after spending time seeing, handling, and eating with the Master. I am sure for some it will take alot of time. But if i was perfect in this life i would not need God.
That's very true, Peter wasn't converted until after Jesus rose from the dead and breathed on the disciples. I remember that Ray said that, too, except, Peter while converted wasn't sin-free (perfected). No one can be perfected in the flesh, but we can be converted. So you just brought out a very good point for me to ponder. Thank you, Santikos! :)
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It is a gift. This is what people need to accept.
Ephesians 2:8,9 are pretty clear. It's not something we can boast about. Choosing to do this over that certainly is boast worthy so I don't see as a stipulation for salvation... It is more evidence by way of physical manifestation of our salvation.
Some could argue that belief is evidence enough of our salvation. After all, belief is a gift.
I'm new here... But that's how I see it.
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It is a gift. This is what people need to accept.
Ephesians 2:8,9 are pretty clear. It's not something we can boast about. Choosing to do this over that certainly is boast worthy so I don't see as a stipulation for salvation... It is more evidence by way of physical manifestation of our salvation.
Some could argue that belief is evidence enough of our salvation. After all, belief is a gift.
I'm new here... But that's how I see it.
That's a great way to see it! :) :D