Your Turn: "Mistakes Backsliders Make" - Page 12

#**111** 11-24-2007, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadfast

What about the mistake of learning how to turn God 'on' and 'off' to fit your situation. Some are convicted in the move of God and then learn how to 'override' that conviction when other things come calling...

Surely that's a mistake many backsliders make. The reason it's so dangerous, outside of playing with God, is that you learn to use God to appease your conscience instead of returning to Him with your whole heart.

Very true. God gave me a thought several years ago that became a message I preached to the youth group I was privileged to lead at the time, a thought about becoming 'Spiritual Samsons'. See, Samson came to a point in his life where he took the presence of God for granted, and, instead of fleeing from Delilah when it should have been painfully obvious that she was out to destroy him (after all, she did try everything he teased her with about the source of his great strength), he kept playing around. Here is the verse that I believe is so sad in the whole story:

And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him. Judges 16:20

Samson had messed around enough that he could no longer tell when God was no longer with him. I have had friends and peers in the church who made the same mistake of messing around with things that they had no business messing with, all with the mistaken idea that they could come back to church and 'pray through' whenever they wished. They sadly thought that, because God in His great mercy would respond to them in an altar service and they would 'get a good blessing', they could go out and mess around some more but be able to come back and 'pray through' again. Those individuals were spiritual Samsons.

#**112** 11-24-2007, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

This might surprise you Elder .... we mostly agree.

Daniel, I've told a lot of folks on here that you well may be one of the most prolific minds on this forum... but I think you like stirring things up so much that it's hidden from many people!

I'm really not surprised at all...

SDG · #**113** 11-25-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Daniel, I've told a lot of folks on here that you well may be one of the most prolific minds on this forum... but I think you like stirring things up so much that it's hidden from many people!

I'm really not surprised at all...

Now ... you're getting sappy!!! Thanks for the compliment. I have some strong convictions yet I must admit a lot of what I do here is for entertainment. <<< cat is out of the bag.

I know you're in need of prayer in regard to your health ... I will pray this week especially for this.

AmazingGrace · #**114** 11-25-2007, 12:04 AM

Geesh how did we get an all mushy thread!!! Makes me need more tissues!!!! Goodness!

Do I need to go make trouble? Nah... I shall not tonight!

#**115** 11-25-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Why thank you... that's a kind word that I need after a rough last few days.

Hard to believe that was already 5 year ago... back in 2002! I don't know if that much time has passed or my physical condition has just deteriorated a lot. One thing is for sure... I don't feel like I did 5 years ago.

Oh well... God's good and He'll help me.

Yes, five years! My, how much has happened in such a small amount of time!

I at times find myself wondering how you are doing, as you had such a bad episode with your health not too long ago, and I pray that the Lord will give you health and strength. And, as a real nurse now, I implore you to take care of yourself!!!!

nahkoe · #**116** 11-25-2007, 12:07 AM

You've made plenty of trouble, it's just been behind the scenes. lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGrace

Geesh how did we get an all mushy thread!!! Makes me need more tissues!!!! Goodness!

Do I need to go make trouble? Nah... I shall not tonight!

BoredOutOfMyMind · #**117** 11-25-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Most of my church life .... I went to service Tuesday, Friday ... and twice on Sunday ... yet you can still be ice cold and get lost in the house ...

In the same chapter as the Prodigal Son ... we find the woman who loses the coin in her own home.

Many churches now are moving to One Sunday service.
I know if you rent a building it is needed, but after you build a 2.5 mil plant?!?!

"...Lost in your own house..."

Pastor D logged off and may have missed this great subpoint.

BoredOutOfMyMind · #**118** 11-25-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nahkoe

You've made plenty of trouble, it's just been behind the scenes. lol

Hence her Custom Title!

"Resident Trouble Maker"

AmazingGrace · #**119** 11-25-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nahkoe

You've made plenty of trouble, it's just been behind the scenes. lol

Now now I am being nice tonight dont get me goin! LOL...

Just do me a favor... pack that football helmet tomorrow k???

Hugs and remember worship!!!

mizpeh · #**120** 11-25-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Now ... you're getting sappy!!! Thanks for the compliment. I have some strong convictions yet I must admit a lot of what I do here is for entertainment. <<< cat is out of the bag.

I know you're in need of prayer in regard to your health ... I will pray this week especially for this.

I like this Dan much better than the one-liner, pot-stirrer Dan.