need to talk:discouraged after hear preaching - Page 2

Mirth1981 · #11 06-28-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

Took me years of struggle talking to many elder pastors and bible scholars, and studing dozens and dozens of books to simplify it to that point.

I struggled so much out of bible college it wasn't funny. After years of hyped up preaching about reaching some magical spiritual state so God could use me I felt so far from that fictional ideal that I almost quit.

I'm so glad that God protected you in spite of all of the struggles and questions. You are probably much wiser and closer to God because of the process you went through.

I especially like what you pointed out about the preachers and super saints that make a good show of appearing to have it all together. I understand the pressure there is on ministry to appear to have it all together because I've been there. A lot of times leaders are putting on their happy faces when they're around church people, but they have just as many questions and uncertainties about things as anybody else.

It's not wrong to ask questions...it's not being rebellious or disrespectful. (Unless of course you just have a bad attitude)

Krt · #12 06-28-2010, 07:22 PM

thank you, Apocrypha, I am going to have to meditate on that for awhile, how sad that I've come to realize I just can't seem to accept His grace & unconditional love... I guess its good that I am awakening to it and broken, but it sure hurts...
One of the things that maybe someone can clear up is how it has been preached and what Jesus spoke of using our talents... like if we did not use a talent or do enough, thats very bad... you know how they get preaching it... and can someone tell me then, I know salvation isn't of works but is of faith, and shown by works (right?)
Is it just that we are saved but the rewards given out is what will differ according to using our talents? what was the parable of talents teaching us? I feel so pathetic that I've been in church so long and feel so lost...

and thank you, i will look into the links you left...

Oh, and if I say some of the verses just make it so scary like its so easy to be kicked out of the kingdom if you aren't living up to something, how do I take those verses? If I am doing something wrong, God will show me? I would have to want to walk away from him?

Apocrypha · #13 06-28-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krt

thank you, Apocrypha, I am going to have to meditate on that for awhile, how sad that I've come to realize I just can't seem to accept His grace & unconditional love... I guess its good that I am awakening to it and broken, but it sure hurts...
One of the things that maybe someone can clear up is how it has been preached and what Jesus spoke of using our talents... like if we did not use a talent or do enough, thats very bad... you know how they get preaching it... and can someone tell me then, I know salvation isn't of works but is of faith, and shown by works (right?)
Is it just that we are saved but the rewards given out is what will differ according to using our talents? what was the parable of talents teaching us? I feel so pathetic that I've been in church so long and feel so lost...

and thank you, i will look into the links you left...

Oh, and if I say some of the verses just make it so scary like its so easy to be kicked out of the kingdom if you aren't living up to something, how do I take those verses? If I am doing something wrong, God will show me? I would have to want to walk away from him?

a talent in the bible is a unit of money. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talent_(measurement)

the parable was simply saying that we should use our life for God. He punished the servant who did nothing in fear of failure. He rewarded the ones who worked the hardest by giving them more authority and potential opportunites.

If you ever want to do something interesting visit www.gowinsouls.com and look at the video teachings of evangelist Tim Downs. He is the #1 baptizer right now in the UPCI. He baptized over 5000 folks last year. He shares how he does it every week and teaches you how to make it happen. Its hard to not be in the favor of God when you are soul winning.

SteppingStone · #14 06-28-2010, 11:02 PM

Jesus said there were some who put heavy burdens on the people that they themselves could not bare but Christ said His yoke was light and easy.

Paul talked about a thorn in his flesh that reminded him he was still a man and it kept him humble, he also talked about fasting often to keep his flesh under control. He asked the Lord to remove it several times and the Lord told him that His grace was sufficient.

In my personal experiences in walking with Christ I have found that the majority of my past struggles stemmed from unresolved internal issues that I either repressed or were unaware of. It's a process brother and we gotta clean the inside of the cup.

A righteous man falls 7 times but he always gets back in the saddle. Just remember no matter how much we do our righteousness is filthy rags without allowing the anointing to do the work...

A.W. Bowman · #15 06-29-2010, 10:45 AM

This thread contains really good material. Excellent.

Trying to live up to the religious expectations of men will never work - one must simply be willing to conform themselves to the spiritual expectations of God. That will work every time.

(1Cor 4:1-6)

A.W. Bowman · #16 06-29-2010, 10:56 AM

One additional thought. This time from a man George Muller, when we spoke of the 'great happiness he had for more than sixty years in God's service, he attributed it [to] two things -- He had loved God's Word, and 'he had maintained a good conscience, not willfully going on in a course he knew to be contrary to the mind of God."

Notice: This is a personal relationship between the individual and their God - as defined by the word and the Spirit. Guiding one toward this relationship is the duty of the elders (preachers and teachers), the journey, however, is the responsibility of the individual believer.

OneAccord · #17 06-29-2010, 04:36 PM

You know, I've seen alot of people, and know alot of people, who are stuck on the treadmill of "not doing enough". Been there myself. No matter how much they pray, no matter how much they go to church, no matter how "holy" they try to be, its never enough. They always feel inadequate. Like I said, been there myself.

But one day while reading the Bible, I read some of the last words Jesus spoke on the Cross. His words, "It is finished", struck me like a thunderbolt. "It is finished". Maybe it was due to my hearts condition at the time, but those words said to me. "This. THIS is enough". His Death on the Cross was enough to redeem me. My redemption, my salvation was puchased then and there, and His sacrifice finished the transaction. It was enpugh. So, I am learning to, as David said, "Rest in the Lord...." My salvation is secure in Him.

Now don't get me wrong. I believe there are works for the Christian to do to maintain his or her relationship with the Lord. But, we work because we ARE saved, not to be saved. Jesus' work on the cross bought our salvation, and we work His works to maintain our walk with Him.

So, don't be discouraged. Just remember, "It is finished" in Jesus.

Jeffrey · #18 06-29-2010, 04:37 PM

There's no arguing or debating on this thread yet. WIERD!

*AQuietPlace* · #19 06-29-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneAccord

You know, I've seen alot of people, and know alot of people, who are stuck on the treadmill of "not doing enough". Been there myself. No matter how much they pray, no matter how much they go to church, no matter how "holy" they try to be, its never enough. They always feel inadequate. Like I said, been there myself.

But one day while reading the Bible, I read some of the last words Jesus spoke on the Cross. His words, "It is finished", struck me like a thunderbolt. "It is finished". Maybe it was due to my hearts condition at the time, but those words said to me. "This. THIS is enough". His Death on the Cross was enough to redeem me. My redemption, my salvation was puchased then and there, and His sacrifice finished the transaction. It was enpugh. So, I am learning to, as David said, "Rest in the Lord...." My salvation is secure in Him.

Now don't get me wrong. I believe there are works for the Christian to do to maintain his or her relationship with the Lord. But, we work because we ARE saved, not to be saved. Jesus' work on the cross bought our salvation, and we work His works to maintain our walk with Him.

So, don't be discouraged. Just remember, "It is finished" in Jesus.

SteppingStone · #20 06-29-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneAccord

You know, I've seen alot of people, and know alot of people, who are stuck on the treadmill of "not doing enough". Been there myself. No matter how much they pray, no matter how much they go to church, no matter how "holy" they try to be, its never enough. They always feel inadequate. Like I said, been there myself.

But one day while reading the Bible, I read some of the last words Jesus spoke on the Cross. His words, "It is finished", struck me like a thunderbolt. "It is finished". Maybe it was due to my hearts condition at the time, but those words said to me. "This. THIS is enough". His Death on the Cross was enough to redeem me. My redemption, my salvation was puchased then and there, and His sacrifice finished the transaction. It was enpugh. So, I am learning to, as David said, "Rest in the Lord...." My salvation is secure in Him.

Now don't get me wrong. I believe there are works for the Christian to do to maintain his or her relationship with the Lord. But, we work because we ARE saved, not to be saved. Jesus' work on the cross bought our salvation, and we work His works to maintain our walk with Him.

So, don't be discouraged. Just remember, "It is finished" in Jesus.

AMEN!!!