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Need Advice - 5/2/2008 7:26:10 AM
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JMCrwd
Posts: 168
Joined: 5/2/2008
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I have a question or the need for some advice. I have turned my life to God and accepted Jesus as for my Savior. I am a single parent living with my son. My question is alot of thetime I feel confident in my faith, but at times I'll have an awful feeling come over like I'm not really saved. The pastor in my church has told me it's just the devil lying to me and trying to make me doubt my salvation. How do I strengthen my faith and keep going? I have been told that I can't the devil out, but I need the strength to fight him off easier?
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 7:41:27 AM
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bford64
Posts: 64
Joined: 4/17/2008
From: Air Capital of the World
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First of all Praise be to God for your conversion. Second welcome to the forums. I'm a newbie here myself but am beginning to feel at home.
Your a new creation in Christ and are like a child learning to walk. The devil is going to throw all of your past sins at you trying to get you to doubt yourself and give up on your new life. Christianity is a journey, not a destination. You will always have satan attacking you from one angle or another. He is like an army trying to find your weak spot. When he finds it he will attack you with all he has. Emmerse yourself in the Bible. Not knowing how long ago your conversion was I would recommend reading the book of John first. Surround yourself with those in your church for support. Share your experience with them so they can be there for you in prayer and fellowship. If you doubt some advise that has been given to you take it to your pastor, deacon. That is what they are there for.
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 7:46:42 AM
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DaveW
Posts: 3751
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: MD suburbs of Washington DC
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YOur pastor is right. the devil will try to dump feelings on us (guilty, dirty, unsaved, etc) to make us ineffectual for God's use. If we believe what we feel, we will take ourselves out of the process. You do not need to accept these feelings as your own.
Here is how you fight them: Pray. A lot. Read the bible, esp Paul's letters where he tells us who and what we are as new creations. Be around other believers who can encourage you regularly. This means more than just sitting in a church building a couple of hours once a week. Get to personally know people and hang out with them.
_____________________________
Avatar is Saphira 5 months and Louvena at 23 months!
We are now grandparents TWICE!!
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 7:53:11 AM
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Annie64
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From: Indianapolis, IN
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Actually this is very common. Just hang in there. Whenever these doubts come, remember the day that you received Jesus. What was going through your mind? What happened when you prayed? Keep remembering it, as long as you need to. Remind yourself of God's promises to those who give their lives to Him. Of course, this means you will have to learn them. There is a beautiful one in John (I'd give you the reference but I don't have my Bible handy because I'm at work) that says that everyone He draws will come to Him and whoever comes He will never cast out. You came. That is proof that He drew you. And if He drew you, He will not cast you out. Another promise in Philippians says that He Who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ--that is, until you see Him. Try to get your eyes off yourself and your weaknesses and on to Him and His strength, how much He loves and cares for You.
_____________________________
On Christ the solid rock I stand
ALL other ground is sinking sand.
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 8:02:08 AM
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timf
Posts: 678
Joined: 10/20/2006
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Revelation 12:10-11
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 8:10:20 AM
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Ignited-Faith
Posts: 360
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In a nutshell, please read what the apostle John wrote in all of "1 John."
He is speaking to true believers, and letting them know they have full assurance of their salvation!
Here is the key verse, but please read the whole thing!
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
1 John 5:13
(God bless you, and many you find more and more that the Scriptures are true, and that you desire to obey them!)
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 1:39:35 PM
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jmjphe
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I have been in this position a number of times. The human mind can run rampant, its often times conjurs up thoughts and ideas that are compulsive and harmful. Like Christ said, "although the spirt is willing, the flesh is weak". This may be hard to swallow but in all reality whats the source of the flesh for us individualy? I beleive it to be the mind. It's the source of your thoughts is it not? I would suggest taking this situation and using it as a opportunity to grow in knowing God. I reccomend reading All of Romans Chapter 8. Also understand that your brain is just a tool for YOU to use, so try not to let the thoughts identitfy with you as a CHild of the living God through Jesus Christ.
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 1:39:47 PM
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mvic
Posts: 881
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Hi and welcome to Cross Daily Forum.
Your pastor sounds like a wise person. It is the devil alright tempting you away from your new found Faith. He does exist for sure. You just can't believe in God and not believe in the devil. The closer we get to God the harder the devil works to lead us astray.
You've received some good advice from the other people posting here too. I have little to add other than: persevere.
It will be tough - but it's worth it.
God bless you and your son.
_____________________________
http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 10:19:23 PM
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JMCrwd
Posts: 168
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Thank you all for the replies. I know it's just the devil working against me, but it just gets me down at times to think that he can get in my mind like that. He will come to me while I am praying or trying to witness to someone and try to fill my head with nonsense, but I just keep praying or doing what I am doing when he tries to make me doubt.
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 10:41:59 PM
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mikeman2
Posts: 307
Joined: 9/23/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: JMCrwd
I have a question or the need for some advice. I have turned my life to God and accepted Jesus as for my Savior. I am a single parent living with my son. My question is alot of thetime I feel confident in my faith, but at times I'll have an awful feeling come over like I'm not really saved. The pastor in my church has told me it's just the devil lying to me and trying to make me doubt my salvation. How do I strengthen my faith and keep going? I have been told that I can't the devil out, but I need the strength to fight him off easier?
quote:
Congradulations! It sounds like this is the first oppurtunity to excercise you faith as a new follower of Jesus Christ. Why is this exiting? It is because without faith it is impossible to please God so view it as an oppurtunity to begin to please your Master!! I think in time you will find that as you learn to walk by faith it will not seem as daunting all the time. Then again, it kinda depends on what you are facing, thats for sure.
Is it scary? Heck yea!!! Is it worth it? If it wer'nt we all would not be here with ya!!
When I think of walking by faith when it seems daunting I always get strength by the story of Shadrach, Meshak, and Obendigo in Daniel chapter 3. They were told to worship idols or die. Because they knew this to be a transgression againt God's law their response was, "We are NOT careful to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve IS able to deliver us from the burning fire, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But IF NOT, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve the gods, nor worship them."
You see, they knew Gods commandment to serve him and serve him only and believed that it came from God. They then believed that God was more than able to deliever them from the evil facing them, however, they also recognized the sovereignty of God and that he was in control and not them. That is why they said, "But IF NOT". I think that "BUT IF NOT" is the most scary part of the whole affair. We have to let go and let God as we obediently follow him the best we know how and all the while choose to surrender our own control over the situation.
< Message edited by mikeman2 -- 5/2/2008 10:56:04 PM >
_____________________________
Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on.
-Winston Churchill.
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RE: Need Advice - 5/2/2008 10:43:25 PM
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Conquered
Posts: 230
Joined: 6/18/2005
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Warning:
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. - Matthew 7:14
Encouragement:
Resist the devil and he will flee from you. - James 4:7
There is a better joy on the other side of your sin and there is one who lives in you who has already conquered sin and death. So treasure his Word, rely on it and not the opinions of sinful men and women and pray without ceasing.
_____________________________
A blog meditating on the wonders of Jesus Christ and the magnificence of his cross:
www.sevenmeditations.com
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RE: Need Advice - 5/3/2008 1:14:44 PM
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broken2live4him
Posts: 32
Joined: 4/26/2008
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JM,
satan is going to do what he can to trip you up or make you believe you are not good enough.
the Word of God defines you as "more than a conqueror" (romans 8:37). you will overcome by your faith. when those thoughts come against you, they are not from the Lord, and therefore, you can "bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (1 or 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
let the Lord define who you are. the Word of God says who you are in Christ. when the thoughts come, sing praises to Him even when you don't feel like it.
_____________________________
broken2live4him
haggai 2:23
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RE: Need Advice - 5/4/2008 8:51:30 AM
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BibleL7
Posts: 480
Joined: 2/1/2008
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First I will say welcome to the family of believers and welcome to the forums. Praise God!!
Your Pastor is right. The enemy will do all it can to keep you from following the Lord. From your second post I would say you are off to a good start. One thing that helps is prayer, praise, and learning. You have been given some good advice thus far. Getting to know the Lord through His word is your best defense, also being in fellowship with other believers is very important. Prayer and singing His praises helps a lot when you are not with other believers. Oh and you can pray anytime anywhere and you dont have to speak it aloud. You also dont have to only sing His praises aloud you can also sing within. It sometimes helps to focus on the Lord.
As the Bible says our battle is spiritual one. Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God. These might help you to be strengthened as well. Does it get easier as you grow in faith, perhaps I would say at times. As you come to know the Lord and His truth it does help in the battle. And yes it increases our faith and it is easier to recognize the truth instead of the lies from the enemy. However that does not mean we are not still in that battle or it is time to let down our guard.
Remember also that we are not perfected over night though we are forgiven we will still make mistakes and struggle till we are taken out of this world. So keep in prayer and ask the Lord for help as often as you want, He is never too busy or bothered by us and He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us even when we have doubts He is there helping us through.
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RE: Need Advice - 5/4/2008 11:19:10 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 666
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BibleL7
Prayer and singing His praises helps a lot when you are not with other believers. Oh and you can pray anytime anywhere and you dont have to speak it aloud. You also dont have to only sing His praises aloud you can also sing within. It sometimes helps to focus on the Lord.
I actually find this to be very helpful when I get off track. I sing a song in my head(sometimes blurt it out), maybe it will be a song I heard on my way to work in the morning, and I will just sing it over and over, and gets my focus back on Him.
I also would like to welcome you.
_____________________________
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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