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lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 4:51:55 PM
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meymey
Posts: 36
Joined: 1/11/2008
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if once a believe and you are tested for a long time, like you didn't have a job and all your relationships have gone bad but then you lose your faith and you decide to not make Jesus your choice, as soon as you do you get all these things where did they come from, all of the sudden you have a good job and all of the sudden you have a good relationship you became happy where did all these good things come from. You don't go to church any more, you don't go by the Word of God any more
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 5:10:52 PM
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siapa
Posts: 66
Joined: 3/5/2008
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Oh, my Lord...maybe your experience is worse than mine?! What do u see when the darkness comes in then??? I'd prefer to have nothing at all than not having Jesus Christ in my life, amen.
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 5:14:50 PM
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ladyichigo
Posts: 442
Joined: 10/23/2007
From: Makiki
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It's called temporary happiness. Without Christ in your life, you make decisions based on what YOU feel is good, and not necessarily what really is good for you. God knows what is the best for you. Just because they feel good, doesn't mean it's good for you. Sure you may have suffered temporarily, but it's nothing compared to the joy that the faithful will experience in eternity. Even though you are happy in the "now", those temporary things will never replace the joy you will have in Christ.
"The point in our lives in this world isn't comfort, but training and preparing for eternity." - Peter Kreeft.
You should read the book, "The Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel.
_____________________________
Mari
Attending church and being confirmed does not define what a Christian is, though it may define a “religious” person.
David Wright - AiG
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 5:21:41 PM
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GeorgiaNerd
Posts: 246
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: UGA... GO DAWGS!
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Depends on the person. Some people live more fulfilling lives as ex-Christians, and others don't. Right now, I'm in the former category. It might be different in the future. Not everyone's experience is the same.
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 5:23:19 PM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 5739
Joined: 4/11/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ladyichigo
You should read the book, "The Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel.
Or read the book of Job and, then, the book of Ecclesiastes. The first is a story of a man lost everything, wealth, family, and health and he was left with a wife that advised him to curse God and die and friends who blamed him for his calamity. Yet that man wouldn't give up his trust in God. The second is written by a man with greater wealth and power than Bill Gates and his conclusion was that everything was meaningless and chasing after the wind.
Circumstances that changes "faith" changes a faulty faith based on temporary things.
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 5:44:27 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 1451
Joined: 9/26/2007
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Good question!
First of all, God promises to give some blessings to both righteous and unrighteous people - He sends rain (so they can grow food and not starve) on both. But the unbeliever doesn't get the total blessing package that the believer is promised. So it's a lesser blessing, and doesn't extend beyong the grave.
Secondly, we see from the Book of Job that God allows hardship and/or Satanic influence. The devil can't touch us but he can make problems (most of it by whispering evil things into receptive ears I think) and God is glorified by the believer clinging to God in the hurricane inspite of the pain. My guess is the devil doesn't target the nonbeliever for harrassment because he/she is already going the devil's way.
Thirdly, we fall into sin because it's easy or it feels good. For a while. Hebrews 11:24-27 says:
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
Sin can still bring in some of God's blessings, get the devil off your back, and feel good. For the short run. The long term consequences aren't worth the little short term pleasure.
May God guide your thinking and give you faith - Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (isn't that a relief?!).
Please see what God says in Hebrews 4:1-7:
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
"So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' " And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work."And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."
It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."
Take this as great encouragement - God loves you (see Isaiah 43!) and wants you to love Him, too, in a close relationship. I am praying for you today, Meymey. (((Hugs)))
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 6:11:03 PM
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meymey
Posts: 36
Joined: 1/11/2008
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l guess what l am trying to understand is how can someone who double cross Jesus have everything they ever wish for
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 6:19:28 PM
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GeorgiaNerd
Posts: 246
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From: UGA... GO DAWGS!
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Easy- no one gets everything they ever wish for. Life doesn't work that way. Christianity doesn't work that way either. But both Christians and non-Christians can lead personally fulfilling lives.
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 6:23:19 PM
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meymey
Posts: 36
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but why is it that when they decided to not follow Jesus get those good things
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 6:27:35 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 4931
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: meymey
if once a believe and you are tested for a long time, like you didn't have a job and all your relationships have gone bad but then you lose your faith and you decide to not make Jesus your choice, as soon as you do you get all these things where did they come from, all of the sudden you have a good job and all of the sudden you have a good relationship you became happy where did all these good things come from. You don't go to church any more, you don't go by the Word of God any more
If your faith was based on what you can get for your flesh; then you never had faith in the first place;
(Mat 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(Mat 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(Mat 7:23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 6:57:15 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 1451
Joined: 9/26/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: meymey
l guess what l am trying to understand is how can someone who double cross Jesus have everything they ever wish for
God died for us while we were yet sinners and totally in rebellion against Him. It's His kind of love that draws us and picks us up and cuddles us when we're throwing temper tantrums. We're all double-crossers - that's another way of saying sinner, and it's no news to Him.
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 8:58:25 PM
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ta_mosquito
Posts: 10942
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: from MN, now in Ontario :D
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Check out this Psalm (emphasis mine):
1Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
11 They say, "How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?"
12 This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.
13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.
15 If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
I would have betrayed your children.
Sounds kinda like what you're talking about, doesn't it? Reject God and prosper! How can this be? Well, read on:
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
20 As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.
21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
See, just because someone rejects God and prospers here on earth doesn't mean squat. One must take an eternal perspective. One second after we die, the ONLY things that matter are if we knew Jesus and what we did for Him. One's destiny in eternity is a LOT more important than a job, a significant other, riches, influence, happiness, or whatever else we want here on earth.
_____________________________
Tricia
"There's a fine line between being open minded and being empty headed." ~Michael Coren
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/24/2008 10:21:31 PM
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DrivenbyGod
Posts: 127
Joined: 12/11/2007
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quote:
if once a believe and you are tested for a long time, like you didn't have a job and all your relationships have gone bad but then you lose your faith and you decide to not make Jesus your choice, as soon as you do you get all these things where did they come from, all of the sudden you have a good job and all of the sudden you have a good relationship you became happy where did all these good things come from. You don't go to church any more, you don't go by the Word of God any more
Satan is the father of lies and you can't under estimate him. He knows what a persons weaknesses are and how to make them fall away. If bringing material or other things that appear to be good to someone will make them turn from the Lord then he'll do it.
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/25/2008 1:54:27 AM
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lightshineon
Posts: 3391
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Everything is just sand, and the parable about the house built on the rock, explains it all.
_____________________________
Remember, whenever you have pearls, there are always plenty of pigs nearby who would be glad to step on them.
F.T., 2007
Be sure you vote for those, whose views you want your children to emulate.
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/26/2008 11:50:51 PM
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designed
Posts: 228
Joined: 12/21/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
meymey-
...as soon as you do you get all these things where did they come from, all of the sudden you have a good job and all of the sudden you have a good relationship you became happy where did all these good things come from.
If indeed these things you speak of are infact "good", the glory belongs to God whether you choose to give it to Him or not.
James 1:16,17
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
quote:
l guess what l am trying to understand is how can someone who double cross Jesus have everything they ever wish for
Galatians 6:7,8
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:35
Who gives the sun for light by day
And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar;
The LORD of hosts is His name:
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/27/2008 12:04:03 AM
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FolkSingerBlues
Posts: 480
Joined: 1/11/2006
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Funny,
I thought God disciplines the ones that he loves.
Like a blacksmith shaping a tool on the anvil. When the work is done, the piece is a fine instrument, if it doesn't complete the process, it's a half worked worthless tool.
I do remember that those that have faith in God must believe that he rewards them. Who knows better about tough love, God or us?
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/27/2008 2:14:36 AM
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4IMPersuaded
Posts: 424
Joined: 11/17/2007
From: Florence, KY
Status: offline
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God is not some sort of cosmic gumball machine. We don't put in our quarter of obedience and expect our gumball of blessing to chew! I am so sorry that you got that impression. Sometimes we have no idea what is best for us and we have not one clue how God is working to give us the desires of our hearts. Friend, if your only desire in following Jesus was some sort of emotional high, then I hope you don't decide to get married. That emotional feeling doesn't last long in the face of the realities of life. We are not protected from the consequences of our poor choices, though Jesus extends great mercy and grace to those who are His. What kind of character would we have if we got our "Christian" card to carry and that was sort of a free pass into the easy life? There would be no separation between the wheat and the chaff! God would not work to perfect us-- we would remain shallow and infatile in Him. No thank you. A wise lady once told me that "all sunshine makes a desert." Nice for a while, but deadly. I'll take my hardship if that means a deeper understanding and fellowship with Him and eternal life in His presence!
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/27/2008 11:25:51 AM
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jfaye
Posts: 702
Joined: 12/18/2007
Status: offline
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I may have to make this two posts because of the extensive Scripture I would love for you
to read in this regard--I hope you read it through in it's entirety for there are points to be made
from the context of the whole:
[Part 1]
Example of the seed of faith, the Gospel, sowed on different soils,
what to expect:
Mark 4:9"..but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires
for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful..
15 "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an
honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance."
I would question the soil of one, who thinks they had embraced the truth
of the Gospel and then found they did better without it!
Matthew 19:21 "Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions
and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one
who owned much property.
23 And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of heaven.
24 "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a
rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?"
26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God
all things are possible."
Does the Lord require all of us to be in poverty having no material possessions or wealth?
No, but He does know what holds us back from loving Him, completely. If we can love Him
in the right proportion, then we will find ourselves looking for ways to share what we are
given with those who have so little. This is God's economy. Someone has to have the money
to share with those who do not, and it is a worthy trust if the one having it, realizes the value
of having it and sharing it.
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches
in glory in Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 6:6 "But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied
by contentment.
7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful
desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered
away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Perhaps these griefs are not immediately evident--perhaps never in this life are they
truly discerned, and maybe in time many of them are--down the road a bit, after 'buying
into' the lie of their value, the temporary pleasure being able to meet all expectations, and
their reward worth the ultimate price we will pay for choosing 'this life' over 'eternal life'.
11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
perseverance and gentleness."
James 4:
13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend
a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears
for a little while and then vanishes away.
15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."
16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."
James 5:1"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.
2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will
consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!
4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you,
cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the
Lord of Sabaoth.
5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened
your hearts in a day of slaughter."
This last verse, number 5 speaks of the reality of what is occurring with the one
depending on the things of this life to be their god, and the rewards that truly are
delivered by that god!
Revelation 3:17 "..'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of
nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and
naked,
18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white
garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be
revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
19 'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
20'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will
come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."
Luke 12:15 "Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of
greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
16 And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.
17 "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store
my crops?'
18 "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and
there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come;
take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'
20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now
who will own what you have prepared?'
21 "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
22 And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life,
as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
23 "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
Matthew 6: 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal.
20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys,
and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full
of light.
23"But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in
you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Our vision is clouded by the promise of riches that do not gain heavenly reward!
24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will
be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth.
James 1:9 "But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will
pass away.
11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off
and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his
pursuits will fade away.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will
receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be
tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished,
it brings
forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father
of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."
[Continued]
_____________________________
Thankfully His,
Janice
"We cannot appreciate God's mercy until we realize He is first the God of justice!"
"O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!"
Psalm 34:8
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/27/2008 11:45:53 AM
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Jhud
Posts: 7212
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Lake Wobegon
Status: offline
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quote:
Easy- no one gets everything they ever wish for. Life doesn't work that way. Christianity doesn't work that way either. But both Christians and non-Christians can lead personally fulfilling lives.
I would say the definition of 'personally fulfilled' would be radically different in these cases.
_____________________________
Jack
“I mean to live my life an obedient man, but obedient to God, subservient to the wisdom of my ancestors; never to the authority of political truths arrived at yesterday at the voting booth”
William F. Buckley Jr. 1925-2008
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/27/2008 12:23:25 PM
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jfaye
Posts: 702
Joined: 12/18/2007
Status: offline
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[Part 2]
Summary: Every good and perfect gift comes from above, but is the gain of worldly goods, and the boast of
worldly happiness truly the gift that draws us to His salvation? Is it more likely the fruit of the deceitfulness
of riches that ensnares and draws us away from His truth? If we choose to go the way that appeals to our desire for pleasure and riches, He may allow us to revel in it for a time. He may well let us be deceived,
having made the clear choice to reject the life He has offered us, that goes toward the Bank of Eternity
spent with Him, because He gives us that choice. We can live for the moment and miss out on the eternal benefit of choosing, rather, to follow Him, take up our cross and deny a life dependent on our pleasure
and comfort and seeming well-being on this very temporary plane.
If you say, that the life lived for God, resulted in poverty and discontentment, having your prayers
for well-doing and the stuff of this life that the world tells us will make us happy then we have
to look at the motive behind prayer that asks God to give us our heart's desire:
James 4: 3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may
spend it on your pleasures.
4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?
Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
I would not have all the riches and contentment of the pleasures of the world, and be
the enemy of God!
I have seen this virtually lived out by a very dear friend of 39 years! I have prayed for him,
the last 27 years of our friendship. He put all his desires on living the 'high-life' of building a
literal 'castle' to live in. He got his heart's desire, all the money he thought would bring him
so much pleasure and happiness. Did it result in pleasure--yes it did---did it make for happiness,
in the moments, I'm sure. Was he content with the wealth he had already accumulated? No,
rather it created in him the thirst for more and more and more, never content with the 'status quo'
of his 'store-houses filled of grain', much like the rich man in the parable who tore down the
barns he already had, build more and larger ones to store more grain, he did not need and would
not share with others, for the sake of having 'more and more'!
Our friend, also heard the 'truth' of the Gospel but chose rather to 'have it all' that the lifestyle
of the 'rich and famous, meanwhile, his son became ensnared by drugs, has lived a life dependent
on his mother to feed and enable him, to continue living in sin, with a couple of different women,
having a child out of wedlock and ultimately that relationship has further soured and the family of
this child is splintered and the example of lack of morality and desire for more and better being set
for him, and his half-sister from another 'out of wedlock' situation, as well. The 'values' are being
passed down of the 'deceitfulness' of life without God at the center.
And, their other child, a daughter, is on her second marriage with children from both. The parents
had set the example of lack of commitment and the desire for better for her, as well.
The marriage of our dear friends is dissolved in the nastiest of ways, adultery and greediness and
self-centeredness on both parts the evidence of their falling for 'the deceitfulness of riches'!
As a result of the nasty divorce, and many very serious health issues for this friend, he has lost his
ability to fly his fairly newly acquired airplane, and the pursuit of many of his pleasures. He has
lost over half of his monies to his former wife and sits in his castle, trying to unload it and no one wants
a castle, especially at the price he's demanding and yet he still jets here and there in pursuit of
pleasures of the flesh.
Happy--I very much doubt it! Deceived, oh yes! Did it happen immediately upon the dream of more
and better, not to the human eye, but the seed of destruction was planted in very fertile soil and whereas
it progressed over 14 years, before the first-fruits were evident, it took another 11 years to come to this day, where we look back and see it's damage done. It was 27 years ago, that I began praying for them,
as a result of the Lord making Himself very real and evident in my own life, to move forward
in a more productive way. They heard the 'gospel' 8 years ago. They seemed to listen, for a good while
and then as the point of decision became very evident to them, they both walked away from making the
only choice that would have afforded them the happiness that truly is realized in our Eternity! Their
lives immediately started spiraling out of their control, almost within days of their choices. You could
graph it out on paper and see it happening at an accelerated rate!
My prayer is that he will not find himself, at the end of his life-rope, dangling over the pit that yawns for those who have been deceived into thinking they can make a better life for themselves than God can! I am deeply grieved for my friends and their choices which has devastated their lives in ways they have yet to realize! I can't tell you how hard I have prayed for their eyes to be opened, to the 'truth' and the realization of the 'deceitfulness' of the promises of the 'things of this life' as opposed to the 'things of the Lord' that make for an eternity with Him.
It would be easy to say this applies only to 'riches' when in fact, it is applicable to any thing, any dream, any pursuit outside of God's will for our lives. Is it truly 'worth' the cost to forfeit one's soul to have the desires of a heart bound for an eternity separated from God, in the worst possible agony and torment one could ever envision?
Will it be 'worth it'? You tell me!
Mark 8:36-37
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world,
and forfeit his soul?
"For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
< Message edited by jfaye -- 3/27/2008 12:35:03 PM >
_____________________________
Thankfully His,
Janice
"We cannot appreciate God's mercy until we realize He is first the God of justice!"
"O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!"
Psalm 34:8
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/27/2008 1:39:16 PM
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TMeeks
Posts: 1422
Joined: 1/27/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: meymey
if once a believe and you are tested for a long time, like you didn't have a job and all your relationships have gone bad but then you lose your faith and you decide to not make Jesus your choice, as soon as you do you get all these things where did they come from, all of the sudden you have a good job and all of the sudden you have a good relationship you became happy where did all these good things come from. You don't go to church any more, you don't go by the Word of God any more
Why would worshipping the God that created the heavens and billions upon billions of stars depend on whether or not some tiny little human had a good job or not. Like so many, many others, the person you are talking about seems to think that they are owed something by God and if he doesn't play be their rules they will take their bat and go home.
They need to be glad they are happy now. Because, this world goes by very, very quickly and eternity lasts for a long, long time. When we turn our backs on God and then thumb our noses at Him by shouting, as this person is doing, then we truly do reap what we sow.
Satan truly is the god of this world and he seems to have given the person you describe all they wanted. But, the price they will pay if they keep going in the direction they are going is the same price that Satan will pay. If that price is worth it to them then by all means they should carry on. But, in the end they will regret it.
< Message edited by TMeeks -- 3/27/2008 4:17:06 PM >
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Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
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RE: lost faith and are happy - 3/27/2008 1:47:45 PM
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