Christian Support Group Community Group
This is a place for everyone who loves Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (or those who are seeking Him), to come and discuss important issues in their lives and find support from fellow believers in regards to their faith and life. We uphold the Bible and living a Christ-like life, not as a way to heaven, but as a reflection of our love for God.
"Delight yourself in the Lord." Psalm 37:4
"This scripture is not a secondary suggestion. It is a radical call to pursue your fullest satisfaction in all that God promises to be for you in Jesus. It is a call to live in the joyful freedom and sacrificial love that comes from faith in future grace. Then will come to pass the purpose of God who chose us in Christ to live 'to the praise of his glory.'"
John Piper "Future Grace."
About 3 years ago, I read the book "Desiring God" by the above author as part of a course. Many of the other students thought the book was challenging, or even heretical. I tried to read it with an open mind, without judgment. Since that time, God has led me on an incredible journey of healing and spiritual growth. God has also given me many wonderful scriptures, and when I saw this book "Future Grace", I bought it and it confirmed many of the things God had given me in the Word, but in a much better way than I could have expressed it.
The last three years have seen me break free from depression, anxiety, fear and confusion. No, not perfect, I admit, but really a change in the way I view life and people. It has helped me to understand that I really do need to love myself, as Christ taught us "He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " Luke 10:27 and many other places in scripture.
It has set me free from worrying about what others think of me, rather to seek what the Lord thinks of me.
So what is your purpose in life? Do we have time in our busy society, with work, families, church and just trying to find some time in the rat race of life to really love the Lord, as well as others, and even ourself? It seems that many times, we focus on wanting God to give us the desires of our heart - and we are frustrated when God does not seem to answer that prayer. Yet, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faith,goodness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23). I think we all want the first three - love, peace and joy, but how many of us have the patience, the goodness and kindness, the faith and the self control, which are part of the package? I have struggled for many years to internalize these fruits, but God was truly patient with me.
So do you desire God, or only the things He can give you? Please post your thoughts, any passages. I want to hear how others have been set free, or perhaps you want to know how to find the freedom in Christ, which eludes you, like it did me for so many years of my Christian walk.
"This scripture is not a secondary suggestion. It is a radical call to pursue your fullest satisfaction in all that God promises to be for you in Jesus. It is a call to live in the joyful freedom and sacrificial love that comes from faith in future grace. Then will come to pass the purpose of God who chose us in Christ to live 'to the praise of his glory.'"
John Piper "Future Grace."
About 3 years ago, I read the book "Desiring God" by the above author as part of a course. Many of the other students thought the book was challenging, or even heretical. I tried to read it with an open mind, without judgment. Since that time, God has led me on an incredible journey of healing and spiritual growth. God has also given me many wonderful scriptures, and when I saw this book "Future Grace", I bought it and it confirmed many of the things God had given me in the Word, but in a much better way than I could have expressed it.
The last three years have seen me break free from depression, anxiety, fear and confusion. No, not perfect, I admit, but really a change in the way I view life and people. It has helped me to understand that I really do need to love myself, as Christ taught us "He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " Luke 10:27 and many other places in scripture.
It has set me free from worrying about what others think of me, rather to seek what the Lord thinks of me.
So what is your purpose in life? Do we have time in our busy society, with work, families, church and just trying to find some time in the rat race of life to really love the Lord, as well as others, and even ourself? It seems that many times, we focus on wanting God to give us the desires of our heart - and we are frustrated when God does not seem to answer that prayer. Yet, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faith,goodness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23). I think we all want the first three - love, peace and joy, but how many of us have the patience, the goodness and kindness, the faith and the self control, which are part of the package? I have struggled for many years to internalize these fruits, but God was truly patient with me.
So do you desire God, or only the things He can give you? Please post your thoughts, any passages. I want to hear how others have been set free, or perhaps you want to know how to find the freedom in Christ, which eludes you, like it did me for so many years of my Christian walk.
I guess the big question, is when will Jesus return? Jesus himself says he does not know the hour or the day. Matt 24:36. But for me - I already know Jesus is living in my heart. I know He is the sovereign Lord. I know that Satan does not have the upper hand.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
That means that God expects us to learn and grow in every situation, and to look to him, not our circumstances, or the enemy.
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
I think all circumstances, not just persecution, test our faith, in order that we become mature. What a glorious thought! Really, not only is God in control, but He is working in us, so that we might become mature or complete. For me, the only way that works, is to trust God, to lean on Him.
Later on James writes in in James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" So many times, people think they need to resist the devil in their own strength. But the context of this, is that we are submitted to God.
"In your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures evermore." Psalm 16:11. We are so satisfied with the shallow things of life, so defeated with our circumstances, but God is clear that when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him."But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deut. 4:29. That is the only thing that works for me.
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be selfâcontrolled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:18
Yeh that ole devil -- throwing his weight around -- do u think he has read the end of the book????????????
not only does he get the ---- kicked out of him my Jesus ----- but we win -----lol jokes on him
on 2nd thought probably why he's so nasty -----------do u think ----------- God is good
Or is that another thread?
I hold on to those promises -- read & re-read them when I;m needy, wounded , hurting , and , and , and
convinced God would not has promised unless He was expecting me to partake
remembering however all in His good timing -- yrs of experience has taught me mine is usually way off
yep me too Tom -when I get to going evey which away -isnt that called multi tasking - I must rain myself in before I stick my foot in my big mouth with God - and remembering He is indeed our relief
Hope ur pain is subsided and ur resting in His Peace -----------------God is good
My pastor looked suprised at my statement. He told me that whether I knew it or not, God had a plan for me. My own plans were not always His plans. He has me where He wants me; to do His will, not my own. I despertely want to be with Him in eternity. I am just passing through this world to do His will on my way home with Him.
Is this anywhere close to what you meant?
Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Concerning trust:
Isaiah 26:3 3 You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you. (if your peace isnt perfect, ur lacking trust ....trust God over whatever is robbing u of his peace!!!!)
Trust requires humility, so concerning humility:..it comes before honor and wisdom...God lifts up the humble but brings down the proud.
Concerning not being a student of Gods word? A person who loves...if ur love sent u a letter, and it was all u had from their hand or heart to yours...you read it over and over, u wear it out...it is written love fcr God is obedience to his commands, yet we cant know his commands if we dont know his word..where the commands are written.
Also theres psalm 1...1-3 among other verses that promise us...
"blessed is the man...who delights in the law of the lord and meditates on it day and night...whatever he does will prosper.
IN James we are told, do not merely listen to the word, but do what it says,
IN ascts we are told to search the scripture dilligently to prove whatever we hear if it is of God or not.
Love for God is obedience to his commands..his commands are summed in the law, love ur neighbor as yourself, love does no harm. We are to speak the truth in love, and love others as ourselves, and love our enemies...thank God for everything(not just the stuff we like4 but the other stuff too...cuz God disiplines everyne he loves..if u dont like it its either disipline...or God counting u worthy of Jesus sufferings) If you want to know how to love...cuz it really matters, thats in there too, 1cor13.
As far as circumstances?? Well God might let u die unjustly, he may leave u begging and hungry all ur life..thik of Lazerus or Uriah...both righteous men who most would say...God let them down. God never lets us down, death is not the end of us, it is only a beginning..a beginning to a life we cant imagine...with him in his light and comfort and peace perfectly forever. Somtimes humility means we will suffer...and as paul wrote, I consider my present sufferings arent worthy of being compared to the emmense riches we have from God thru Jesus.
I dont desire God. I love God with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. Its kind of hard to desire HIm when his spirit continually flows throu me...who hopes for what they allready have?
As for being useful to God? Well my body is pretty crippled with pain(and i thank God and praise him and refuse to let it stop me from throwing my flesh on the ground to honor him.)
years ago, God gave me a choice to trust him with my children..I chose to obey him rather than follow my own will. Ever since then, God has been handing me his children, and asking me to love them, even as he loves mine. I am completely unworthy of this task, and also in my own power too weak and corrupt to manage it, so i depend not on myself but on God and his power. I trust God with all my heart, and lean not to my own understanding. I rejoice in God at all times in all things...and His praise is often on my lips. (my dog penut jut gets so excited when i start praising God!!! lol)
May our Gods grace and peace be upon each of you...may he empower you by his spirit to enable each of you in all that you do to glorify his name. All glory and honor and power and praise always be to our God and father. Hallelujah!! Barrack ata Adoni Elloheinu!
There are neat contrasts in all these replies between the original question and the various shades of mysticism (spirituality)- all the way to practical ministry. A virtual rainbow of experience. Some, where we are the "doer" of the work, and some where God is the feeling or "sensation". Wild!