Pornography and Disability

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Sure you did. You said, "I disagree...because I know the power of God." What else am I supposed to conclude?

Actually this is what i posted "Knowing and experiencing the power of God, I disagee."

Take it how you like but wasn't saying you never exeperienced the power of God.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Jesus also picked up lame men from cots and they walked. He also instantly gave sight to the blind. When was the last time you saw that happen?


Yes, we ABSOLUTELY tell him we've got a "program" for him.

Not lately, but but still hear of people being delivered from sin with no desire to go back. Still hear of smokers who instantly have no desire for after being delivered. One brother I won was doing heroin, but instantly delivered and never went back.

It might take time to get folks to seek God for deliverence but the power of God doesn't struggle to deliver people just people struggle to submit to him.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Not lately, but but still hear of people being delivered from sin with no desire to go back. Still hear of smokers who instantly have no desire for after being delivered. One brother I won was doing heroin, but instantly delivered and never went back.

It might take time to get folks to seek God for deliverence but the power of God doesn't struggle to deliver people just people struggle to submit to him.

I remember reading about the ministry of David Wilkerson and Teen Challenge years ago. There was a book called "The Cross and the Switchblade" and later a movie. Nicky Cruz had a book out. I think it was titled "Run, Baby, Run." I also read a book called "The Jesus Factor" written by a reporter who wanted to know why the Teen Challenge success rate was so much higher than that of secular programs. After investigation he found out that the difference was "Jesus" was part of the Teen Challenge program but not part of the secular rehab programs.

One thing I read was how that "altar calls" or "invitations" might take quite a while because they would be preaching on the streets and their listeners would not only be on the streets but listening from windows in buildings, from fire escapes, and even from the roofs of buildings. Some times it would take quite a while for people to respond and make it all the way from rooftops and fire escapes down to the street where they would kneel, ask Jesus into their lives, and be transformed by the grace and power of God.

Note: two books were big influences on me several years ago. These were "The Cross and the Switchblade" and "They Speak With Other Tongues." Both of these books helped me realize that God is so much greater than our little cloistered OP bunker. While we were hunkered down, judging and measuring, and fighting amongst ourselves, and railing against anyone who was not part of our "little flock" (select group), God was alive and well and working among people who were open to Him and yielded to Him. But, that's enough editorial comment for now--back to the subject at hand.

When people knelt on the street and asked Jesus to come in -- He did what they asked--He came into their lives and changed them. But, not everyone had exactly the same experience. Some were delivered completely from sin (drugs, alcohol, the gang style of living) and had no desire for the stuff. Others had to spend nights in "drying out" while they shook and vomited while Teen Challenge workers held them, wiped them off, and prayed for them. Some never had the desire for drugs and some had to fight the temptation daily to go back to the old life style. Some did go back and would ask forgiveness and start over. Some had to make several tries before they were stabilized. These are just different ways God works, saves, and delivers. We need to lift someone up when he falls even if it seems he just keeps on falling more times than we think he should. We need to let people lean on us when they can't stand on their own. Some people need to be carried. We need to be willing to pray with people while they shake and chill and vomit. None of this is pretty and it's not a neatly wrapped "church package" but it is real life. And this, in my opinion, is how God works with His Body/Church in saving people. This is how we "loose" those who have life but no liberty.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Sam

I remember reading about the ministry of David Wilkerson and Teen Challenge years ago. There was a book called "The Cross and the Switchblade" and later a movie. Nicky Cruz had a book out. I think it was titled "Run, Baby, Run." I also read a book called "The Jesus Factor" written by a reporter who wanted to know why the Teen Challenge success rate was so much higher than that of secular programs. After investigation he found out that the difference was "Jesus" was part of the Teen Challenge program but not part of the secular rehab programs.

One thing I read was how that "altar calls" or "invitations" might take quite a while because they would be preaching on the streets and their listeners would not only be on the streets but listening from windows in buildings, from fire escapes, and even from the roofs of buildings. Some times it would take quite a while for people to respond and make it all the way from rooftops and fire escapes down to the street where they would kneel, ask Jesus into their lives, and be transformed by the grace and power of God.

Note: two books were big influences on me several years ago. These were "The Cross and the Switchblade" and "They Speak With Other Tongues." Both of these books helped me realize that God is so much greater than our little cloistered OP bunker. While we were hunkered down, judging and measuring, and fighting amongst ourselves, and railing against anyone who was not part of our "little flock" (select group), God was alive and well and working among people who were open to Him and yielded to Him. But, that's enough editorial comment for now--back to the subject at hand.

When people knelt on the street and asked Jesus to come in -- He did what they asked--He came into their lives and changed them. But, not everyone had exactly the same experience. Some were delivered completely from sin (drugs, alcohol, the gang style of living) and had no desire for the stuff. Others had to spend nights in "drying out" while they shook and vomited while Teen Challenge workers held them, wiped them off, and prayed for them. Some never had the desire for drugs and some had to fight the temptation daily to go back to the old life style. Some did go back and would ask forgiveness and start over. Some had to make several tries before they were stabilized. These are just different ways God works, saves, and delivers. We need to lift someone up when he falls even if it seems he just keeps on falling more times than we think he should. We need to let people lean on us when they can't stand on their own. Some people need to be carried. We need to be willing to pray with people while they shake and chill and vomit. None of this is pretty and it's not a neatly wrapped "church package" but it is real life. And this, in my opinion, is how God works with His Body/Church in saving people. This is how we "loose" those who have life but no liberty.

[Cindy]

Just as much as it does when we need help with our attitudes, it takes more than once for most of us I think.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Sam

We need to lift someone up when he falls even if it seems he just keeps on falling more times than we think he should. We need to let people lean on us when they can't stand on their own. Some people need to be carried. We need to be willing to pray with people while they shake and chill and vomit. None of this is pretty and it's not a neatly wrapped "church package" but it is real life. And this, in my opinion, is how God works with His Body/Church in saving people. This is how we "loose" those who have life but no liberty.

Brilliantly said!!! THIS is real life. I know we want to just have someone fall over backwards, yell something that unintelligible, and everything's over with. But if we REALLY want to see people delivered, it is mostly likely going to be just the way you described it in the bolded. Wow.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Not lately, but but still hear of people being delivered from sin with no desire to go back. Still hear of smokers who instantly have no desire for after being delivered. One brother I won was doing heroin, but instantly delivered and never went back.

It might take time to get folks to seek God for deliverence but the power of God doesn't struggle to deliver people just people struggle to submit to him.

Great!! I'm happy you've heard of those things. But to expect every person, or even most people, to respond like this is completely unrealistic. I would even say that 9 times out of 10, maybe even more than that, it's a LONG process!

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Great!! I'm happy you've heard of those things. But to expect every person, or even most people, to respond like this is completely unrealistic. I would even say that 9 times out of 10, maybe even more than that, it's a LONG process!

[Praxeas]

Even for the ones "Instantly" delivered, I bet there is still a process. It's a lifelong process, one day at a time.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Even for the ones "Instantly" delivered, I bet there is still a process. It's a lifelong process, one day at a time.

Yep, and it scares me to death anytime I hear someone say, "There's no chance in the world I'll ever do any of that stuff again."