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Post by mike on Jun 20, 2018 7:45:17 GMT -6
Most like all believers and many who visit this site, I have been battling in my mind with things much more this past month or two than in the last year combined.
James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"
I thought it may be appropriate for me to share this as instructed and all for prayer as well. Not only for me but for others who would follow suit with concessions and requests.
I have been allowing the cares of this world to distract me. My focus on the King has been shifted over the last 6-8 weeks. I can put on a facade but the conviction I feel won't permit me to do so, praise God. While I am still doing all the right things I feel like by my own efforts (carnal) and not in the spirit.
I had been reading a lot of OT books and felt the need to incorporate some NT into my reading. This past week I've been reading Romans and this morning read: 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Well if that didn't speak to me! Wow. Exactly how I've been feeling. I desire the Lord and His presence but I'm being consumed by work, projects at home, running, running, running...i continued in Romans 8
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Suffering? Am I suffering? Yes! I'm missing the intimacy with our Lord! But ah the encouragement of the Word! I long for the day for the glory to be revealed in me and you!
As I continued to read though Romans I saw the battle more clearly. I know it is ongoing, every day. Some days I am living in the spirit and don't even realize there is a battle. Others unfortunately in the flesh and it's so laborious. Oh to live in the spirit all day every day.
So a confession and a request. Please pray for me and I will for you that we continue to love in the spirit day in/day out until this got is revealed in us.
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Post by barb84 on Jun 20, 2018 8:17:44 GMT -6
Amen brother! My own confession: struggling with deception. Psalm 32:2. "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit is no deceit." I want to be a totally honest person in every way and I don't tell overt lies. But I find that to avoid conflict or arguments, I omit details or gloss over things, distract from the topic at hand, etc. Pretty much always with my husband. I feel convicted about this and ask for your prayer and I will pray for you.
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Post by Gary on Jun 20, 2018 8:49:18 GMT -6
Holy smokes, Barb! I was literally just about to post that same verse when I saw you posted! Holy Spirit?? (: Mike, I feel very blessed that you started this conversation. I've also been wandering in different ways the past several weeks and months with a lack of focus, often distracted by the things of the world. Vanity, lust, doubt, and people pleasing/information management are my sins. What I've come to realize fairly recently is that while I trust God to forgive my sins, I don't fully trust Him to remove my guilt and shame for past sins. I've been struggling with feelings of guilt from old sins and still letting guilt and shame interfere with worship. I read Hebrews a few days ago about how the blood of Christ actually cleanses our conscience, too: Then I read in the Psalms where David says his sins are as many as the hairs on his head: But then in Psalm 32 he writes: I've felt a certain spiritual weight lifted. I've also discovered that worship is the only time I'm centered and focused and in my right mind, like the demoniac who wasn't what he was supposed to be until he encountered Christ's saving power. Long story short, I'm trying to combat apathy with worship, so I created this playlist of all my favorite songs. Perhaps it will bless someone else: The Throne Room Playlist
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Post by Joecool on Jun 20, 2018 9:42:34 GMT -6
Awesome thread and it goes along with what God has been teaching me recently. He has been showing me not to get stressed about small earthly things that really don't matter in light of eternity. It does feel like the earth has stepped over an edge and everything is even more hectic right now.
When I feel myself starting to go in the dark downward spiral I have to force this fleshly body and mind to concentrate on Him, because when I do it feels like the weight on my shoulders gets lighter and dang if I don't start to feel excited, happy and free, especially when I think about worshipping Him in person. Thats what I was thinking about on my walk into the office this morning. My coworkers thought I had lost my mind when I was walking around grinning ear to ear at 6:30 this morning.
As for my sins; they are too numerous to list here. The things I know I should do I don't do and the things I know I shouldn't do; them I do. Praise God that King Jesus's blood covers all our sins and one day (hopefully soon) we will be free from them all!
On a side note God has also be trying to hammer into this thick skull some patience and some focus. Some days it is a miracle I have any at all, but Give Him Glory for He is The God of miracles.
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Post by hopeful on Jun 20, 2018 18:06:13 GMT -6
Mike, thank you for starting this thread. I don't post much but I think of you all often, and am very grateful to be in such good company.
I am mindful of Romans 3:23, that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
I feel like I fall short all the time. One night some time back I was feeling discouraged, and disappointed with myself, that I am so easily distracted and so slow to risk looking like a fool for Christ's sake, when it came to me to pick up the Bible. It opened to Luke 15, where the woman rejoiced and called her friends to rejoice with her over finding her coin that was lost. And how much rejoicing there is in Heaven over a sinner who repents. And I thought, this is how God sees me, not as some loser (although He knows me better than I do), but as His once-lost child who has a lot of learning still to do, but will be able to share a bright and amazing future with the rest of His family.
Hope I didn't veer too far off topic!
Edited to add, because I always realize my posts may come across differently than they do in my brain! My post is no reflection on anyone's post, rather, the thread spurred a thought and a memory that I thought might be helpful to share.
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Post by mike on Jun 21, 2018 6:25:47 GMT -6
Amen brother! My own confession: struggling with deception. Psalm 32:2. "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit is no deceit." I want to be a totally honest person in every way and I don't tell overt lies. But I find that to avoid conflict or arguments, I omit details or gloss over things, distract from the topic at hand, etc. Pretty much always with my husband. I feel convicted about this and ask for your prayer and I will pray for you. Thank you for sharing and baring your heart Barb! The Lord teaches us things as we walk with Him. I also believe that He teaches us things when we don't walk with Him. That was a good chunk (~15yrs) of my life. Over that time He taught me some things about what you struggle with so I feel compelled to share with you. As may be able to see from many of my posts here I don't enjoy conflict and do my best to help resolve any that arise. Although I do still struggle with it at times, God has caused me to finally have realize (over many years now) that I am responsible for my words, my actions, etc., not for others actions or reactions. This learning process comes from my very tense relationship with my ex-wife. How someone else decides to respond to my actions or inactions is on them and not on me. When I am wrong, admit that and move forward. When someone else is wrong forgive and move forward. I would agree with you that times it is not always best to share every "jot & tittle" of a situation. I have used this at times and it does not always work as effectively as I hope, and have been called "liar!". By omitting some things we intend to smooth over a situation and sometimes this works, sometimes not. One other thing about this...I asked the Lord about handling this this way and was reminded of how both Abraham and Isaac deliberately lied to Abimelech. Yet although they both lied and for "good reason" God was with them, didnt turn His back on them but instead punished Abimelech and his people! Wait What?!?! Gen 20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She [is] my sister: ... 5 Said he not unto me, She [is] my sister? and she, even she herself said, He [is] my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare [children]. 18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
Gen 26:9 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she [is] thy wife: and how saidst thou, She [is] my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her. 10 And Abimelech said, What [is] this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
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Post by mike on Jun 21, 2018 6:32:35 GMT -6
Holy smokes, Barb! I was literally just about to post that same verse when I saw you posted! Holy Spirit?? (: Mike, I feel very blessed that you started this conversation. I've also been wandering in different ways the past several weeks and months with a lack of focus, often distracted by the things of the world. Vanity, lust, doubt, and people pleasing/information management are my sins. What I've come to realize fairly recently is that while I trust God to forgive my sins, I don't fully trust Him to remove my guilt and shame for past sins. I've been struggling with feelings of guilt from old sins and still letting guilt and shame interfere with worship. I read Hebrews a few days ago about how the blood of Christ actually cleanses our conscience, too: Then I read in the Psalms where David says his sins are as many as the hairs on his head: But then in Psalm 32 he writes: I've felt a certain spiritual weight lifted. I've also discovered that worship is the only time I'm centered and focused and in my right mind, like the demoniac who wasn't what he was supposed to be until he encountered Christ's saving power. Long story short, I'm trying to combat apathy with worship, so I created this playlist of all my favorite songs. Perhaps it will bless someone else: The Throne Room PlaylistGary, thats just amazing to me. I do the same thing! Worship brings me closer to Him and I have found myself having some "go to" songs as well. Maybe its just my carnal mind or the enemy but I have often heard in my other ear or on my other shoulder (LOL!) " you rely on other things like music to bring you closer, your relationship isnt what it should be or what you want". Well yes, yes I do! If me drawing closer to God in spirit involves read a post from you, a phone call with someone, music or reading the Word then YUP! I need it, I have to do it! I think our confessions to each other help us all to remember how human we are and how the daily struggle against our sin nature is right there all the time. I am so very thankful for everyone here who share their revelations of what the Lord shows them and teaches. Equally important to me is seeing how real we need to be with each other so that we never think someone is on a pedestal or some super-Christian. I will continue to pray for you and the work of this site that you have most graciously involved me with. I am so thankful for that opportunity here Gary as this community has blessed me and helped me learn so so much!
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Post by mike on Jun 21, 2018 6:35:37 GMT -6
Mike, thank you for starting this thread. I don't post much but I think of you all often, and am very grateful to be in such good company. I am mindful of Romans 3:23, that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I feel like I fall short all the time. One night some time back I was feeling discouraged, and disappointed with myself, that I am so easily distracted and so slow to risk looking like a fool for Christ's sake, when it came to me to pick up the Bible. It opened to Luke 15, where the woman rejoiced and called her friends to rejoice with her over finding her coin that was lost. And how much rejoicing there is in Heaven over a sinner who repents. And I thought, this is how God sees me, not as some loser (although He knows me better than I do), but as His once-lost child who has a lot of learning still to do, but will be able to share a bright and amazing future with the rest of His family. Hope I didn't veer too far off topic! Edited to add, because I always realize my posts may come across differently than they do in my brain! My post is no reflection on anyone's post, rather, the thread spurred a thought and a memory that I thought might be helpful to share. Didnt see it as going off topic at all and I didnt think you were responding to someone in particular. I think most of us can relate to posts seeming one way in our heads and another when someone reads them and they are misinterpreted. I dont think you did that here, it was pretty clear to me.
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Post by stormyknight on Jun 21, 2018 21:26:11 GMT -6
Excellent thread mike! Oh how I would love for the whole of the Church to pray for me and help me do what is right! I've recently gone into a slump as timing has interupted my usual studying and fellow-shipping. The cares of this world! oh brother!!
I believe our Heavenly Father has been guiding me through some particular lessons, lately, on how to judge correctly. You know, 'take the log out of your own eye before telling your brother about the speck in his' thing. And I've really been trying to pay attention to details in my life in that respect. More specifically, there is this co-worker.... .
I was just re-reading the article "What's Happening?" on the Unsealed.org page, and I found that 2 Timothy 3:1-7 sums up this co-worker to a T. And I don't mean that in a mean way, this guy really does fit the bill. He seems to be full of himself, he looooooves money, is definitely boastful and arrogant. Doesn't have much good to say about his dad. etc. etc. When I got to verse 7 it really hit me. This guy also likes to talk about how much he reads the bible. Another co-worker who works more closely with him went so far as to say, and this is verbatim, "I feel like I don't need to go to church on Sunday just because of having to listen to him". So, "always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" is just spot on!
Okay, so I'm witness to this every day and it tends to overwhelm my mind at times. So much so that I want to scream. I pray for help. I hold my tongue. But yet at times it still gives me sleepless nights thinking about it. Why? It's not my problem. It's his problem. I'm supposed to tend to the log in my own eye...
What is the log in my own eye? I've known all along, I just like to ignore it, deny it, pretend it doesn't exist...
Back in my younger days going to university, studying art, I had the opportunity to take figure drawing class. Well actually it was mandatory as part of the degree, but whatever. While I was no womanizer or playboy, I held a strong appreciation for the form of the fairer sex. I took every opportunity to draw, sketch, or paint said form.
Well, you know, some things just don't 'go away' on their own. I still catch myself 'looking', 'thinking'. It's not as easy a habit to quit as smoking was and I've been free of that for many years and it was hard to do. If I were to ask for prayers for myself, it would be to help me overcome my own lust of the flesh. There, I said it.
I hope that you all know that I pray for each of you and all of us collectively. We're almost home and I so want to be ready when He gets here.
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Post by boraddict on Jun 21, 2018 22:50:29 GMT -6
Back in my younger days going to university, studying art, I had the opportunity to take figure drawing class. Well actually it was mandatory as part of the degree, but whatever. While I was no womanizer or playboy, I held a strong appreciation for the form of the fairer sex. I took every opportunity to draw, sketch, or paint said form.
Well, you know, some things just don't 'go away' on their own. I still catch myself 'looking', 'thinking'. It's not as easy a habit to quit as smoking was and I've been free of that for many years and it was hard to do. If I were to ask for prayers for myself, it would be to help me overcome my own lust of the flesh. There, I said it. Hi Stormy, here are some of my sayings that I have just now made up. 1) The good thing is that you judge and correct yourself so that Lord Jesus does not have to judge but forgive. 2) Since Lord Jesus knows the future then there is nothing we can do but our best and all the vomit is cleansed from our souls to perfection in Christ, right now. 3) Do not try to be perfect because it is impossible; nevertheless, we all should be all that we can be in emulating our Lord and Savior, Lord Jesus. 4) The carnal beast is simply that; an animal of the animal kingdom. Consider it a vile creature that you might devour to tame with some success; however, no one has been successful except Christ. 5) Therefore, you are in good company with the billions of other repentant souls that have lived upon this earth. 6) The first step is to forgive yourself and then maintain harmony with Christ. 7) You will not be successful so forgive yourself again and return to Christ. 8) Repeat step 7.
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Post by mike on Jun 22, 2018 5:35:33 GMT -6
Excellent thread mike ! Oh how I would love for the whole of the Church to pray for me and help me do what is right! I've recently gone into a slump as timing has interupted my usual studying and fellow-shipping. The cares of this world! oh brother!!
I believe our Heavenly Father has been guiding me through some particular lessons, lately, on how to judge correctly. You know, 'take the log out of your own eye before telling your brother about the speck in his' thing. And I've really been trying to pay attention to details in my life in that respect. More specifically, there is this co-worker.... .
I was just re-reading the article "What's Happening?" on the Unsealed.org page, and I found that 2 Timothy 3:1-7 sums up this co-worker to a T. And I don't mean that in a mean way, this guy really does fit the bill. He seems to be full of himself, he looooooves money, is definitely boastful and arrogant. Doesn't have much good to say about his dad. etc. etc. When I got to verse 7 it really hit me. This guy also likes to talk about how much he reads the bible. Another co-worker who works more closely with him went so far as to say, and this is verbatim, "I feel like I don't need to go to church on Sunday just because of having to listen to him". So, "always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" is just spot on!
Okay, so I'm witness to this every day and it tends to overwhelm my mind at times. So much so that I want to scream. I pray for help. I hold my tongue. But yet at times it still gives me sleepless nights thinking about it. Why? It's not my problem. It's his problem. I'm supposed to tend to the log in my own eye...
What is the log in my own eye? I've known all along, I just like to ignore it, deny it, pretend it doesn't exist...
Back in my younger days going to university, studying art, I had the opportunity to take figure drawing class. Well actually it was mandatory as part of the degree, but whatever. While I was no womanizer or playboy, I held a strong appreciation for the form of the fairer sex. I took every opportunity to draw, sketch, or paint said form.
Well, you know, some things just don't 'go away' on their own. I still catch myself 'looking', 'thinking'. It's not as easy a habit to quit as smoking was and I've been free of that for many years and it was hard to do. If I were to ask for prayers for myself, it would be to help me overcome my own lust of the flesh. There, I said it.
I hope that you all know that I pray for each of you and all of us collectively. We're almost home and I so want to be ready when He gets here.
this is packed with struggles that are not unique to you my friend! I dont mean that in a derogatory manner, I mean I can completely relate and I'd bet most who read it can too. Like you I desire others to experience the richness of a heart felt relationship with Christ. One can usually see when others are not quite walking the walk. I mean we see the most obvious things, like you do in that co-worker. I know a 70 yr. old man at my gym who very similar. He is an angry person, and acts like he hates people. Once I got to know him more I realize deep down he's not all that bad. His display of frustration and anger is more a habitual mechanism that he isnt aware of. Oh and knowing the bible...he can cite passages better than I can, reads the whole thing every year! I could go on about how we look at folks like and wonder if they are "truly" saved or not. The heart change doesnt appear to be there to me, but like you my log is quite large and in no way shape or form I am qualified to judge that mans heart. That is a job for the King! Our stinkin' flesh is the culprit brother. EDIT - After reading boraddict post in response to Stormy I wanted to also comment on that. While I am no artist (stick figures are my best sketches) and never was in that type of position, we as men all struggle with wandering eyes from time to time. One of the things I notice which is applicable here and is the theme for the thread is walking in the spirit. My daily routine basically includes an hour or so in the local gym. Since I am not deliberately sabotaging myself by going to carnal places or watching things of the like on tv or the internet, what other place could be better for me to have any kind of thought enter the battleground of the mind (besides perhaps work)? When I know I am close to Him walking in the spirit, I have zero desire to fulfill any lust of the flesh, including the lust of the eyes. I find myself seeing the bondage to worldly influence some of these ladies are caught in. I find myself praying (silently) for them to be brought out the darkness. I literally feel like I am walking with Jesus in these moments. What a wonderful time it is when you walk with Him in spirit and truth and rise above the laws of sin & death! But alas, "walking on water" isnt a 24/7/365 thing....Again the reason for my original post, the struggles of the distractions of this world take us away from the Master.
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Post by stormyknight on Jun 22, 2018 21:46:08 GMT -6
I didn't take it as derogatory. I know what you mean. We all have similar if not the exact same struggles. That one just seems to me to be my worst yet the one I ignore the most. 'no one knows my mind, so no one sees me as a creep'. What a crock! Our Heavenly Father sees all! How can I even pretend I don't get that. I feel like such a failure by repeatedly asking for forgiveness for that. But I know it is prevalent in our society. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting some form of sexual innuendo in advertising or fashion or even what passes for art these days. The mental and emotional roller coaster that it takes us on is pure torment sometimes. I'm just so very glad I was led to this place. You are all so wonderful and understanding and patient and loving. Just like it's supposed to be, right? Praise our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Lord and Savior.
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Post by boraddict on Jun 23, 2018 10:32:07 GMT -6
I didn't take it as derogatory. I know what you mean. We all have similar if not the exact same struggles. That one just seems to me to be my worst yet the one I ignore the most. 'no one knows my mind, so no one sees me as a creep'. What a crock! Our Heavenly Father sees all! How can I even pretend I don't get that. I feel like such a failure by repeatedly asking for forgiveness for that. But I know it is prevalent in our society. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting some form of sexual innuendo in advertising or fashion or even what passes for art these days. The mental and emotional roller coaster that it takes us on is pure torment sometimes. I'm just so very glad I was led to this place. You are all so wonderful and understanding and patient and loving. Just like it's supposed to be, right? Praise our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Lord and Savior. I think the greater point of the gospel is not to condemn but to guide. It seems that everyone living upon this earth is tested, and based upon that test is our rewards. For those who fail there is hell awaiting; but wait, everyone will fail. Thus, it is not that we tried and failed but that we tried. Thus, we tried and the option is given to us that we can now be redeemed from our failure or not. The point is something like this: Satan demands salvation from sin for everyone, and Christ provides salvation from sin for everyone. That is, the most evil and vile should be allowed to be evil and vile forever to cause misery and wicked disruption everywhere forever; or, the repentant soul who wants to follow Christ and be redeemed to God to follow God's law of love and kindness forever should be allowed to do so. Fortunately for us Satan is the looser and Christ is the winner. Thus, we can be tested and tried and forgiven for our failures. Don't beat yourself up. It must be the case that forgiveness is much harder for us than it was for Lord Jesus. He immediately forgives the sinner because it is in his nature. And how many times? As long as it takes.
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