Does God ever forsake you?

[biker]

I am sorry massorite, but I am in the business of winning souls, not berating them before they accept Christ. This site is bad for me. You can easily pick up bad habits because people are like sharks reacting to blood in the water. We are all supposed to be Brothers and Sisters united together as a Family in our Lord and Saviour Christ. But this site does not reflect that one bit. I am glad I was saved before ever joining, because had I not been, after joining, Hell would seem to be a better place!

 

[HWatts]

First, God loves you. Second, church attendance is the most important thing you do. The Lord built His church as a light to shine in a dark world, a reflection of Him - spreading the gospel is merely one of its functions, though a very important one. However, it also provides fellowship among believers, which we need, and which you need, Jay. A group of believers who worship together, pray together, take communion together, and do the other work a church performs, is a very powerful assembly. We strengthen one another. Finally, if your repetitive behavior of sin includes friends, as is usually the case, then you should drop-kick your friends. Ain't that cold?

I had to do it. I just quit hanging with them. It wasn't easy. Several were angry and hurt - we'd been friends as children. My closest buddy said, "You just think you're better than us!"

"No, but I'm trying to be," I replied. Downright frigid, eh? However, he knew me and I knew him, and I knew that deep down he believed, too.

I had said the preceding in a very gentle way, and he paused, "I understand, buddy - I really do. But I'm sure going to miss you."

"Believe me. Me, too," we hugged, he rose to leave, and I thought that I'd see him again when I was stronger, "How about coming to church with me Sunday?"

He smiled, "I'm just not ready yet."

He never did get ready. Died of complications after a drug overdose about twenty years later.

It isn't easy to change your life, at first, but it is worth it. Sometimes you just have to flee wickedness, flee sin, and run like Forrest, but you soon forget you're running away because you are running toward Jesus - and a group he instituted for you to grow in, and to encourage others the same.

Don't base your faith on feelings - human emotions just aren't that reliable. But the word of the lord is infallible.

One thing you can know from your feelings is this: God wants Jay. That is why you seek, He is working on you, working on your conscience about your sin. You will be much happier if you don't refuse Him has been my experience all through life.

 

[Blain]

Brother, I used to ask for forgiveness each time I passed out drunk, each time I smoked myself stoned stupid, each time I rolled off some strange woman, each time beat someone up, each time I sinned. And the next day get up and do it all over again. I got into a real rut. I convinced myself that living for God would make me a sissy. I had friends and I wanted to keep those friends (who were pulling me down straight to hell). I even got into paganism and was doing rituals with wiccan women because you dance naked in the woods, do your ceremony, and have sex with some witch.

When I finally gave my life to God, I kid you not, it was like walking straight uphill for the first year or so. There were times I screamed at God asking why? For the most part, I never got an answer. But I kept on praying, reading my Bible, I refused to quit. Eventually one day, God answered me. I learned that God never puts upon you more than you can handle. He was preparing me for what is about to come.

You are in my prayers!

TThat is an amazing testimony my friend

 

[Blain]

I am sorry massorite, but I am in the business of winning souls, not berating them before they accept Christ. This site is bad for me. You can easily pick up bad habits because people are like sharks reacting to blood in the water. We are all supposed to be Brothers and Sisters united together as a Family in our Lord and Saviour Christ. But this site does not reflect that one bit. I am glad I was saved before ever joining, because had I not been, after joining, Hell would seem to be a better place!

Yes much unkindness is well known throughout the bdf and I have seen many new believers be chased off from people here who were either unkind or just wanted to prove how right they were.

But at the same time it also is a place where the love of God can be scattered and planted. If even one person is impacted changed or learns from the love you show in your conduct then you have done God a great honor, many people visit this site without registering that includes unsaved people. the difference between the wheat and the tares is that they are difficult to tell apart until harvest day but online everyone tends to show what they really feel and think because there is safety behind a screen.

 

[Jay3009]

I took hope from this. Thank you biker.

Brother, I used to ask for forgiveness each time I passed out drunk, each time I smoked myself stoned stupid, each time I rolled off some strange woman, each time beat someone up, each time I sinned. And the next day get up and do it all over again. I got into a real rut. I convinced myself that living for God would make me a sissy. I had friends and I wanted to keep those friends (who were pulling me down straight to hell). I even got into paganism and was doing rituals with wiccan women because you dance naked in the woods, do your ceremony, and have sex with some witch.

When I finally gave my life to God, I kid you not, it was like walking straight uphill for the first year or so. There were times I screamed at God asking why? For the most part, I never got an answer. But I kept on praying, reading my Bible, I refused to quit. Eventually one day, God answered me. I learned that God never puts upon you more than you can handle. He was preparing me for what is about to come.

You are in my prayers!

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer my question.

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you

First, God loves you. Second, church attendance is the most important thing you do. The Lord built His church as a light to shine in a dark world, a reflection of Him - spreading the gospel is merely one of its functions, though a very important one. However, it also provides fellowship among believers, which we need, and which you need, Jay. A group of believers who worship together, pray together, take communion together, and do the other work a church performs, is a very powerful assembly. We strengthen one another. Finally, if your repetitive behavior of sin includes friends, as is usually the case, then you should drop-kick your friends. Ain't that cold?

I had to do it. I just quit hanging with them. It wasn't easy. Several were angry and hurt - we'd been friends as children. My closest buddy said, "You just think you're better than us!"

"No, but I'm trying to be," I replied. Downright frigid, eh? However, he knew me and I knew him, and I knew that deep down he believed, too.

I had said the preceding in a very gentle way, and he paused, "I understand, buddy - I really do. But I'm sure going to miss you."

"Believe me. Me, too," we hugged, he rose to leave, and I thought that I'd see him again when I was stronger, "How about coming to church with me Sunday?"

He smiled, "I'm just not ready yet."

He never did get ready. Died of complications after a drug overdose about twenty years later.

It isn't easy to change your life, at first, but it is worth it. Sometimes you just have to flee wickedness, flee sin, and run like Forrest, but you soon forget you're running away because you are running toward Jesus - and a group he instituted for you to grow in, and to encourage others the same.

Don't base your faith on feelings - human emotions just aren't that reliable. But the word of the lord is infallible.

One thing you can know from your feelings is this: God wants Jay. That is why you seek, He is working on you, working on your conscience about your sin. You will be much happier if you don't refuse Him has been my experience all through life.

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you

The Lord will never leave or forsake you.

Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened.

The feeling you are missing is actually from yourself pulling yourself away from God. Be still and accept that God is near and that God hears you. Who would look at their child and say well you had another tantrum I'm not listening to you anymore? Though evil we treat our children better than that. Likewise God listens... And actually pulls you near him. Though you think it is you trying to reach him.

It is the heart of man that believes we are individuals and prideful bc then everything is done on our own. However.. God is all around and within. There actually is no "I." It is our pride that makes us believe we do it on our own, and then our downcast bc we were never created to be alone.

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you.

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Many are called, but few are chosen, and when God calls a person He will work with that person to get them to the truth, and when they are saved then they have the Spirit, which Jesus will never leave or forsake them.

All sin can be forgiven even if you live in sin for a year, but God will not give up on you for the gifts and calling of God, are without repentance.

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

But we cannot hold unto sin and be right with God, for then the blood of Jesus cannot wash it away.

So if we do sin we have to have the right attitude that we cannot hold unto sin and have salvation.

2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Some people hold unto sin and believe they still have salvation, and are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, which He said turn away from those people.

1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

But these people can still be forgiven but they are not right when they hold unto sin, and some hold unto sin and believe they have salvation.

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you.

It can certainly seem and feel that ways sometimes but no. You see his favorite game to play with us is hide and seek, he hides and we seek and seek and seek and when we find him he stays with us until he wants to play again.
Think of it more as a a child playing hide and seek with their beloved father, he adores those who seek him out and he always has this playful challenge on his heart as if he is saying come find me;b

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you.

GOD'S LOVE
John 1:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son... This alone can tell you how much God loves you. I mean He was ready to give up his only Son so that you can have salvation. Who else can do this but God alone. The bible goes on to say in Romans 8:37-39 ......neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord....So it doesn't matter how much you have sinned, God will always love you. Still remember King David? He is the one who took someone else's wife and killed him for it. But still, God called him a man after His own heart Acts 13:22. One of the great things David did was whenever he sinned he went before God, humbled himself and asked for forgiveness. So if you sin, no matter the nature of the sin or the times you have sinned, just go before him, humble yourself and ask for forgiveness. God is everlastingly merciful, he will forgive you.

POWER OVER SIN
But let us also try not to sin for sin is the only thing that can part us from the presence of God (Isaiah 59:1-2). If you find yourself doing the same sin over and over again why not take a minute to think about what exactly is causing you to commit that sin and why. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you defeat that sin because when we commit the same sin continuously it becomes a weakness and there's nothing the devil loves to take advantage of as our weaknesses. Remember the power to defeat that sin is no longer with God, it was given to you when Jesus died on the cross and rose up from the dead Matthew 28:18 and Luke 10:19.... Remember also, that sin comes wrapped within a temptation and there's always a way to triumph over that temptation 1 Corinthians 10 : 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

OUR FEELINGS AND GOD'S PRESENCE
Most of us have heard scientists testifying how our senses can mislead us sometimes...put your finger in hot water, take it out and immediately place it in cold water and you will have tactile illusion. This, right there, should warn us on how not to always lean on our senses to detect the presence of God. There are times when you pray and dedicate your time and focus to doing Godly things but still you don't feel His presence. Not feeling his presence doesn't mean he's not there. Always remember God is forever with us and will never leave nor forsake us Deuteronomy 31:6 Isaiah 41:10-13 So instead of consulting your feelings lean entirely on what God says in His Word.

Shalom!

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you

God's promise is to all who would believe and accept His Son Jesus Christ as Lord ( ruler of our life) and Savior ( defeated sin and death for us).

God can never go against His promise. God will never forsake you and you will see people through out scripture repeat that promise back to God.

The only forsaking that can take place is if we choose to defy or ignore God.

As for God and silence. Sometimes we have those seasons. Many in scripture only heard from a God 2 or 3 times in their whole life. Some none at all like Esther. God doesn't speak in the whole book. It is according to how you define God's presence. Esther may of never had the dreams, visions, burning Bush, or an Angel speak to her but God worked through her uncle Mordecai. And just like Esther I'm sure the Spirit is working in your life even if you dont fully understand how.

Some Christians have had seasons of great silence. Take what C.S. Lewis wrote about his feelings following Joy’s death in a series of notebooks that were later published just before his own death in 1963. Lewis’ most telling observation? The silence of God.

“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness...On the rebound one passes into tears and pathos. Maudlin tears. I almost prefer the moments of agony. These are at least clean and honest...

...”Meanwhile, where is God?...When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him...if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be – or so it feels – welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become...



Martin luther the reformationonce said,
“For more than a week I was close to the gates of death and hell. I trembled in all my members. Christ was wholly lost. I was shaken by desperation and blasphemy of God.’”

Even King David all throughout the psalms are seen in periodic battles in the silence of God.

Psalm 28 New International Version (NIV)
Of David.
1 To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.

It took me years to feel God's presence only because I was ignorant to how God speaks, moves, or works within us. More often we over complicate it or expecting the wrong thing. And of course to feel God's presence takes one to be fully emerged in God. Sometimes you may not feel it but others around you can feel something different. I have had people at work just tell me I have a presence to me that is spiritual but for me it is just another day and yah I can see others enjoy my presence but I dont feel any different. For all know God is working through me even if I dont feek it.

Conclusion as in a warning. There are a things that can separate us relationally from God. Otherwise silence is oftentimes when God lets go of the handle bars to let us balance for awhile and after struggle and possibly failure, God never left or forsaken us but was close by the whole time. A mature believer has faith during those times, knowing God has answered all they could ever need already or that God will answer in His time and in His way.

The Lord is far from the wicked. (Proverbs 15:29)

The shedding of innocent blood. (Isaiah 1:15)

The willingness to ignore God’s commands. (Proverbs 28:9)

If we ignore immorality in our hearts. (Psalm 66:18)

We ask with corrupt intentions (James 4:3)

If husbands dishonor their wives (1 Peter 3:7)

Use prayer as a theatrical performance (Matthew 23:14)

 

[Micaiah-imla]

After I first said the sinners prayer I started to get attacked in my sleep and told the person who told me about the sinners prayer about it, who advised me to say when these attacks happen “In the name of Jesus flee from me” which then the attacks would instantly stop proving there demonic nature. These attacks happened on and off for years, they always seemed to be more frequent when I was seeking the Lord, when I was in the world they never seemed to happen.

I experienced the same kind of attacks in my sleep many times before getting knowledge of word of God. The attacks continued even through my early saved years. I did the same thing, rebuking this thing in Jesus' name. It was terrifying because often it was hard to utter speech in my sleep...I had to struggle so hard that I would wake myself up uttering the rebuke. And what seemed like a scream in my sleep, was a murmuring upon waking up.

Its been, gosh, like 6 years since the last episode.

I feel for you.

Read the Bible, and if you can find a church that lines up with the Bible, then attend it.

I pray you find peace through Jesus Christ.

 

[Demi777]

No but we have to deal with the consequences for our actions and he also disciplines and teaches us things.

 

[massorite]

You just don't get it do you?
This poster is lost and searching and all you're worried about is if we said something correctly.
You are playing with this man's Salvation!

I was trying to be nice about it
Not at all. I am making sure that what he is told is correct. There is not one single scripture that tells us that God will not put more on us then we can handle, so telling the man something that is not scripturally sound is bad advise and a false statement and is also basically a lie from the pits of hell. Which is the opposite of what Paul says when he says "Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." which means that through Christ there is nothing that we can't handle that could ever happen to us in this world and GOD NEVER PUTS ANYTHING ON US THAT WOULD HARM US MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY OF PHYSICALLY. ONLY SATAN DOES THAT. So the idea that God puts anything on us that would harm us spiritually, mentally or physically or that e evn puts bad stuff on us is another lie from the pits of hell and a false misguided belief.
Christ never gave anybody a false doctrinal belief like you just did, and to a person who is seeking true nonfalse doctrinal answers at that.

 

[massorite]

Hello, to answer your questions,
no I’m not part of a church,
yes I was baptised as a child but not as an adult,
I couldn’t tell you if saved, i tend to lean towards me not been if I’m honest, it troubles my soul not knowing, I have believed for along time now but still haven’t properly started my walk with God, there has been no changing of the heart and I’m stuck in repetitive patterns of sin that I can’t seem to break out of,
I have felt the Holy Spirit twice before, once was the first time I ever said the sinners prayer and the second was when 3 Christians was praying over me. I used to feel Gods presence when I prayed but don’t anymore, I’m seeking and seeking but don’t hear or feel anything back as I used too. Something I have found is as my knowledge of God has increased, His presence has departed from me, as when I was sinning before I was unaware of my actions but now when I sin I know what I’m doing and continue to do so anyway which I thinks causes a distance between me and God. Like I said I feel as though I’ve never really started my walk with God, I always fall at the first hurdle, then get discouraged, then it takes me a while to start seeking again through feeling unworthy. After I first said the sinners prayer I started to get attacked in my sleep and told the person who told me about the sinners prayer about it, who advised me to say when these attacks happen “In the name of Jesus flee from me” which then the attacks would instantly stop proving there demonic nature. These attacks happened on and off for years, they always seemed to be more frequent when I was seeking the Lord, when I was in the world they never seemed to happen. Now the attacks never happen which actually concerns me as it makes me wonder if God has forsaken me and condemned me so the devil doesn’t need to waste his time on me anymore as my eternal fate is already sealed.


, post: 4227879, member: 212261"]A lot of these folks are trying to answer your questions without knowing anything about you, including myself.
So I have a few questions for you.
Do you go to church?
Have you been baptized.
Are you saved but back slidden?
Have you ever been touched by the Holy Spirit?

[/QUOTE]
Thank you so much for answering my questions. God has not given up on you and He has not forsaken you because it is Christ who is pulling at you because if Christ wasn't pulling at you, you wouldn't be on this site asking the questions you are asking. There would be no question in your mind if God has forsaken you and you would know it if He has forsaken you. By the very fact that you are questioning if God has forsaken you tells me that He has not done so.
I believe that God is calling out to you because otherwise you wouldn't be on this site asking the questions you are asking. I to was baptize as a very young child and was compelled by God to reach out to folks like you are doing now as an adult and when I realized that I needed to be baptized again I went to the nearest church and did just that which I have explained to you. When we are children we don't have the knowledge to understand what being baptized is all about. We need to know what we are doing when we get baptized at a very young age and we don't simply because we haven't lived long enough to understand what we are doing. Which is why I wouldn't allow my daughter to get baptized until she was old enough to fully comprehend the meaning and responsibility of being baptized. My best advise for you is to start circulating around to some non denominational churches and allow God to tell you where He wants you to stop and He will let you know where He wants you to stay and attend church saved or not. Then I would be faithful and attend services every week and start studying the Bible or at the very least start reading the New Testament from the beginning to the end and you will find that God will start making certain things/revelations stand out to you. Sooner or later God will let you know if you need to be baptized again. Like I have said before, even though I was baptized as a child God impressed upon me to get baptized again and when I came up out of that water I had a love for everybody that I had never experienced before.
Next you will find that God will be pushing you to get hooked up with some kind of ministry and even if you don't feel the push take part in a ministry, at least check out some of the ministries that appeal to you until you find one that you are comfortable with. If God wants you to move to another ministry He will let you know. Getting yourself plugged into a church family is very important for the walk of all believers.
If you take these first steps then God will bless your efforts to get to know Him better as you take these steps and as you go along in your walk in Christ. As you grow in Christ, Christ will grow in you.

 

[Hungry]

I am sorry massorite, but I am in the business of winning souls, not berating them before they accept Christ. This site is bad for me. You can easily pick up bad habits because people are like sharks reacting to blood in the water. We are all supposed to be Brothers and Sisters united together as a Family in our Lord and Saviour Christ. But this site does not reflect that one bit. I am glad I was saved before ever joining, because had I not been, after joining, Hell would seem to be a better place!

It’s true there are some here who are followers of Christianity but not followers of Christ. They are the religious minded people who think the louder you scream the more correct your argument is. Thankfully, they are the minority here. You just see them more because they love to share their opinion. I’ve been here a while and can tell you most are kindhearted and sincere. I’m glad the Lord has led you from your path of self destruction to CC. May He bless you in strength and wisdom as you continue to serve Him, as a light to those who tred the path you escaped. Welcome brother. I look forward to bumping into you in these forums.

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you

I experienced the same kind of attacks in my sleep many times before getting knowledge of word of God. The attacks continued even through my early saved years. I did the same thing, rebuking this thing in Jesus' name. It was terrifying because often it was hard to utter speech in my sleep...I had to struggle so hard that I would wake myself up uttering the rebuke. And what seemed like a scream in my sleep, was a murmuring upon waking up.

Its been, gosh, like 6 years since the last episode.

I feel for you.

Read the Bible, and if you can find a church that lines up with the Bible, then attend it.

I pray you find peace through Jesus Christ.

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you

No but we have to deal with the consequences for our actions and he also disciplines and teaches us things.

 

[Jay3009]

Thank you. I find comfort in you saying I wouldn’t be seeking if I was forsaken.

Thank you so much for answering my questions. God has not given up on you and He has not forsaken you because it is Christ who is pulling at you because if Christ wasn't pulling at you, you wouldn't be on this site asking the questions you are asking. There would be no question in your mind if God has forsaken you and you would know it if He has forsaken you. By the very fact that you are questioning if God has forsaken you tells me that He has not done so.
I believe that God is calling out to you because otherwise you wouldn't be on this site asking the questions you are asking. I to was baptize as a very young child and was compelled by God to reach out to folks like you are doing now as an adult and when I realized that I needed to be baptized again I went to the nearest church and did just that which I have explained to you. When we are children we don't have the knowledge to understand what being baptized is all about. We need to know what we are doing when we get baptized at a very young age and we don't simply because we haven't lived long enough to understand what we are doing. Which is why I wouldn't allow my daughter to get baptized until she was old enough to fully comprehend the meaning and responsibility of being baptized. My best advise for you is to start circulating around to some non denominational churches and allow God to tell you where He wants you to stop and He will let you know where He wants you to stay and attend church saved or not. Then I would be faithful and attend services every week and start studying the Bible or at the very least start reading the New Testament from the beginning to the end and you will find that God will start making certain things/revelations stand out to you. Sooner or later God will let you know if you need to be baptized again. Like I have said before, even though I was baptized as a child God impressed upon me to get baptized again and when I came up out of that water I had a love for everybody that I had never experienced before.
Next you will find that God will be pushing you to get hooked up with some kind of ministry and even if you don't feel the push take part in a ministry, at least check out some of the ministries that appeal to you until you find one that you are comfortable with. If God wants you to move to another ministry He will let you know. Getting yourself plugged into a church family is very important for the walk of all believers.
If you take these first steps then God will bless your efforts to get to know Him better as you take these steps and as you go along in your walk in Christ. As you grow in Christ, Christ will grow in you.[/QUOTE]