Questions

[Edward429451]

Perhaps you do not feel it is possible to love yourself and also deny yourself. I disagree.

They want you to think that you can play that balancing act, then slowly, more time for me, less for the Lord...I think that is a deception. Sunday Morning Christianity aka as Comfort Christianity.

We are not of this world though we be in it. So some delayed gratification until we get to our real home is in order!

The more worldly entertainment you watch the harder it is to hear God. Sexual immorality takes us further from God. But I go to church every week and give generously? Yeah but you live for yourself the other 6 days a week...God wont be mocked so you self lovers play a dangerous game with your souls.

 

[Snackersmom]

There it is. Post #1. She doesn't come right out and say it, but you can tell from her wording that, that's what she's thinking and wants..........It's not a big leap to presume what she's really asking, read it.

Presuming is always a big leap, no matter how perceptive you think you are .

Why on earth would you decide what she is wanting and thinking, rather than asking her to clarify? You are claiming a level of perception (knowing what is in someone else's heart) that is going to get you in trouble with God if you aren't careful.

Assuming should NEVER be your first instinct. I'm surprised you don't already know that. You even called her a heretic without even knowing what the word meant. Bull in China shop, much? Perhaps what she actually has in mind is unhealthy, perhaps it isn't. But adding your words to what she said, telling her what she thinks while asking ZERO clarifying questions is DEFINITELY unhealthy, and not the way a true teacher of the Word would be behaving.

Regarding what you wrote in bold, I realize we all should be willing to die for our faith some day, and die to self daily. I don't have a problem with that, why are you assuming I would?

 

[Snackersmom]

They want you to think that you can play that balancing act, then slowly, more time for me, less for the Lord...I think that is a deception. Sunday Morning Christianity aka as Comfort Christianity.

We are not of this world though we be in it. So some delayed gratification until we get to our real home is in order!

The more worldly entertainment you watch the harder it is to hear God. Sexual immorality takes us further from God. But I go to church every week and give generously? Yeah but you live for yourself the other 6 days a week...God wont be mocked so you self lovers play a dangerous game with your souls.

Once again, you are assuming a great deal without asking any clarifying questions. I'm noticing a pattern!

I get it that this is a weak area for you though, from what you've said in other posts you had trouble with indulging your ex wife with everything she wanted, so I completely respect your weakness in this area and I understand if you have to keep an especially tight ship in that regard, better safe than sorry, right?

 

[Edward429451]

Presuming is always a big leap, no matter how perceptive you think you are .

Why on earth would you decide what she is wanting and thinking, rather than asking her to clarify? You are claiming a level of perception (knowing what is in someone else's heart) that is going to get you in trouble with God if you aren't careful.

Assuming should NEVER be your first instinct. I'm surprised you don't already know that. You even called her a heretic without even knowing what the word meant. Bull in China shop, much? Perhaps what she actually has in mind is unhealthy, perhaps it isn't. But adding your words to what she said, telling her what she thinks while asking ZERO clarifying questions is DEFINITELY unhealthy, and not the way a true teacher of the Word would be behaving.

Regarding what you wrote in bold, I realize we all should be willing to die for our faith some day, and die to self daily. I don't have a problem with that, why are you assuming I would?

Actually I've asked her for clarification a couple times. This is like, her 3rd or 4th thread on this and...she never has responded to any of my posts.
Sigh. I am not a teacher and I don't play one on tv. I know I don't speak as eloquently as real pastors and stuff, you'll never see me on a stage (I think!)because I got stage fright, lol.

All I can do is to speak the truth as it has been revealed to me and speak from my experiences. And I may have presumed too much, but so many people (Christians) do not operate on the narrow path I have see. Not their fault, their Pastor is scared of people leaving because it's not a popular topic, the narrow road. So they slide into Comfortable Christianity and figure, i said the prayer so I'm saved and don't need to do anything and go home and wait on God. And they wonder why God isn't doing more for them. Is this ok? I still go to church....I know a lot about God! Yes, but do you know Him?

I never knew you? That scares me. I don't want to be one who hears that from the Lord. So I pressed in, helped the poor, helped my neighbor, read more pray more and spent more timewth Jesus just talking to Him and listening for His replys...Learn more. And after awhile God will move and tests become more numerous, test my faith, reward my obedience! Grants me more discernment.

Maybe I made a bad call? Most of the time I am right, and lukewarm Christians who are comfortable will not like the things that Jesus tells them to do (ask me how I know!). Nobody told me that it was going to cost me, to whom more is given more will be required. Jesus never said life will be a rose garden for us until He comes. He said, the world will turn against us and hate us, because they hated Him first.

I've heard testimonies where Jesus came in disguise as a homeless person and sat outside a church as it was time for services soon, and no one stopped to ask if he needs anything, not one person. Jesus takes that personally I think. I speak the truth. We wont know for sure unless she answers her own thread and clarifies a wee bit.

I didn't mean to post that paragraph in Bold, the site glitched on me and made it go bold. I tried to undo it but it didn't work.

 

[Edward429451]

Once again, you are assuming a great deal without asking any clarifying questions. I'm noticing a pattern

A lot of discernment is in our spirit. When someone says something, it is either brings trouble to your spirit and you feel troubled at what they say, or, you get a pece in your spirit. Thinking about her question did trouble me in spirit. and somehow I knew, I know, Jesus does not want to be #2 in our life. He wants to be #1.

I get it that this is a weak area for you though, from what you've said in other posts you had trouble with indulging your ex wife with everything she wanted, so I completely respect your weakness in this area and I understand if you have to keep an especially tight ship in that regard, better safe than sorry, right?

The things is, better safe than sorry is code talk for, I can handle this (if I rely on worldly solutions) so I believe I disagree with you there because the correct way is, Yes Lord I depend only on you. Who cares what happens? I trust you Lord.

He tested me on that before! It was Stimulus check time, and I got mine and the plan was spend it all fast on stuff I usually can not afford. Stuff for the house, a new gun and so forth. I came home broke in the evening and something told me to go down in the basement, so I did. I walked into a puddle of warm water, so I checked the hot water heater over and it was leaking from the tank and needed replaced. Water heaters are about $500 bucks now, just for the unit. I just had the money this morning! Why didn't the Lord warn me that I would be needing a HWH? Now I'm broke and have no money for a HWH. I shut the water off and checked the serial number to find, it is 5.5 years old, out of warranty. I am Not taking anything back to the store! I don't play those games. So. I have to wait until I get another SS check next month. 1 Month without hot water and I can install it myself. He gave me unctions two days earlier to, catch up the laundry. I was feeling frustrated a bit, a whole month and He should'a/could'a warned me! Then as I was feeling flabbergasted I just shook my head and laughed. I said, Praise the Lord. I don't know what you are doing Lord, but I trust you to see it through with whatever it is that you plan to do...You had to have reason for doing what you did, the way you did it!

And when I got up in the morning and called the plumbing supply house and asked if they had this exact model in stock, so the installation would take minimal parts. He put me on hold and then came back and said yep we have that model and this is under Warranty! (Whoa, I should have known that, I was a Rheem Dealer!) I do know it. It was a selling point a 6 year warranty instead of a 5 year warranty. But I did not remember that when I found it, Maybe the Lord made me forget it? Lol. So I took him the sticker off of the unit and got the same modal and it slipped right into place with 3 couplings only! Piece of cake, Praise the Lord! I either accidently passed that test or, my faith is getting more real in the Lord? It feels good to pass a test Brothers & Sisters! (I don't pass many of them, lol.

I had a problem. I didn't look to the world for anything, no loans, nothing. I took this problem to the Lord. That pleased Him so I got a new HWH the next day and didn't have to wait a month!

This test is relevant to the topic as presented. If I was looking to myself to solve this problem. like maybe perhaps I can handle this myself and I don't need to bug the Lord about it. then I have the feeling that somehow it would not have turned out like it did. If we are full of self love then we don't need to look to the Lord, then he lets us, and we never get to find out what Blessings that He had for us. You have not because you ask not. I asked because I don't need to have self love for this type of thing. It's absolutely amazing the small talk that I have had with the Lord. He usually answers because even small talk is talk and He misses talking to us. And that sense of humor of His, wow!

I wish she would clarify self love. Is it she loves herself so she wants to eat right and get healthy exercise? I do that. Or is the self love a worldly pursuit? Sinful perhaps, but a small sin? The danger in this is one she'll get used to not asking the Lord about what's going on in her life? Which is not following Jesus but ones self. And if she gets an unction about it to pray but she doesnt do that but instead, asks other Christians if it's ok or not? So she might not receive the same truth from them as she would have from the Lord. ??I dunno, I'm no teacher but it feels wrong in my spirit to live life ourselves and not give all decision making over to our Lord. That is not what scripture says to do.

If she says the self love is about taking care of herself, then I'll owe her an apology, lol!

 

[Snackersmom]

Actually I've asked her for clarification a couple times. This is like, her 3rd or 4th thread on this and...she never has responded to any of my posts.
Sigh. I am not a teacher and I don't play one on tv. I know I don't speak as eloquently as real pastors and stuff, you'll never see me on a stage (I think!)because I got stage fright, lol.

All I can do is to speak the truth as it has been revealed to me and speak from my experiences. And I may have presumed too much, but so many people (Christians) do not operate on the narrow path I have see. Not their fault, their Pastor is scared of people leaving because it's not a popular topic, the narrow road. So they slide into Comfortable Christianity and figure, i said the prayer so I'm saved and don't need to do anything and go home and wait on God. And they wonder why God isn't doing more for them. Is this ok? I still go to church....I know a lot about God! Yes, but do you know Him?

I never knew you? That scares me. I don't want to be one who hears that from the Lord. So I pressed in, helped the poor, helped my neighbor, read more pray more and spent more timewth Jesus just talking to Him and listening for His replys...Learn more. And after awhile God will move and tests become more numerous, test my faith, reward my obedience! Grants me more discernment.

Maybe I made a bad call? Most of the time I am right, and lukewarm Christians who are comfortable will not like the things that Jesus tells them to do (ask me how I know!). Nobody told me that it was going to cost me, to whom more is given more will be required. Jesus never said life will be a rose garden for us until He comes. He said, the world will turn against us and hate us, because they hated Him first.

I've heard testimonies where Jesus came in disguise as a homeless person and sat outside a church as it was time for services soon, and no one stopped to ask if he needs anything, not one person. Jesus takes that personally I think. I speak the truth. We wont know for sure unless she answers her own thread and clarifies a wee bit.

I didn't mean to post that paragraph in Bold, the site glitched on me and made it go bold. I tried to undo it but it didn't work.

Dangit Edward, every time I get annoyed with your insensitive buttheadedness you end up coming back with something sufficiently contrite. It's like I can't stay mad at you Ugggghhhhhhh!!!!!!

I did just check out her other posts. I'm not sure why it's such a big question/issue for her but she's apparently from Brazil and appears to be using translating software so probably losing a lot in translation.

I get that you're not an official teacher but even if you don't have the title you are still playing the role. I'm not "technically" an assistant youth pastor but I have assumed the role of one, just without any pay, title or respect that might go with it. Yet I believe that God will hold me accountable to a pastoral role because that's what He called me to, title or not. I'm OK with that though.

Anyways..... I'm glad you are taking your walk seriously. I think self-respect is probably a better term than self-love, but it's hard to know what the op is actually thinking.

Just FYI, as a casual observer and all.... it sounds like you are obeying God more out of fear than out of love. I'm sure you do love Him and all but fear is not a good motivator. You mentioned that God does not care what we think, feel, or want.... I could post some Scriptures to dispute that, but instead maybe you could imagine how you'd feel as a dad if your kids said you don't care about their thoughts, feelings or wants? Like imagine back when they were tiny.... that wouldn't be a good relationship, right?

*Disclaimer: I realize that God doesn't alter His plan based off our feelings, desires, etc. But that does not mean He doesn't care about about them.

"Casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares about you" 1 Peter 5:7

 

[Snackersmom]

Thinking about her question did trouble me in spirit. and somehow I knew, I know, Jesus does not want to be #2 in our life. He wants to be #1.

Jesus absolutely needs to be #1 in our lives. Nobody is disputing that.

The things is, better safe than sorry is code talk for, I can handle this (if I rely on worldly solutions) so I believe I disagree with you there because the correct way is, Yes Lord I depend only on you. Who cares what happens? I trust you Lord.

You do not disagree with me. of course we must depend on The Lord. "Better safe than sorry" is not code talk for ANYTHING, let alone "I can handle this myself with worldly solutions" . Moooooommmmm, he's making bizarre assumptions again, make him stopppppp!!!

If she says the self love is about taking care of herself, then I'll owe her an apology, lol!

You already owe her an apology for calling her a heretic, even if you did it without understanding the word you should still apologize.

You should also apologize for jumping to conclusions and telling her what she is thinking.

As a side note, I enjoyed your water heater story! I'll be buying one myself soon, good to know the Rheem info. Just curious, you mentioned how important it is to seek God in all matters.... did you also pray about the purchases you made the morning before the leak was discovered? I'm just curious about your methods, no judgement either way .

 

[GaryA]

If she says the self love is about taking care of herself, then I'll owe her an apology, lol!

Yes - you just might owe her an apology...

 

[the_seeker]

I would like to know if what I think is heresy. How can we know, in fact, if something is heretical?
I believe that every human being is allowed to have a minimum of self-love—a kind of appreciation for one's own life that sustains it, that prevents suicide or the total depreciation of God's work. Including the ungodly, even if they do not have the true source of love. Is thinking like this heresy?

Angelica:

As I see it, it's like this:
I cannot see that any God named anything as "heretical". But - most importantly - I observe that a lot of human beings say this and that about heresy. Very often - if not always - the ones those people name heretical, are humans having a different opinion of this or that than themselves.

Let me put this simple: If you have love in your life, loving your friends and even (according to Jesus!) loving your enemies - you are on the bright side. I wish you the very best.

Cordialement ....

 

[Edward429451]

Dangit Edward, every time I get annoyed with your insensitive buttheadedness you end up coming back with something sufficiently contrite. It's like I can't stay mad at you Ugggghhhhhhh!!!!!!

I did just check out her other posts. I'm not sure why it's such a big question/issue for her but she's apparently from Brazil and appears to be using translating software so probably losing a lot in translation.

I get that you're not an official teacher but even if you don't have the title you are still playing the role. I'm not "technically" an assistant youth pastor but I have assumed the role of one, just without any pay, title or respect that might go with it. Yet I believe that God will hold me accountable to a pastoral role because that's what He called me to, title or not. I'm OK with that though.

Anyways..... I'm glad you are taking your walk seriously. I think self-respect is probably a better term than self-love, but it's hard to know what the op is actually thinking.

Just FYI, as a casual observer and all.... it sounds like you are obeying God more out of fear than out of love. I'm sure you do love Him and all but fear is not a good motivator. You mentioned that God does not care what we think, feel, or want.... I could post some Scriptures to dispute that, but instead maybe you could imagine how you'd feel as a dad if your kids said you don't care about their thoughts, feelings or wants? Like imagine back when they were tiny.... that wouldn't be a good relationship, right?

*Disclaimer: I realize that God doesn't alter His plan based off our feelings, desires, etc. But that does not mean He doesn't care about about them.

"Casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares about you" 1 Peter 5:7

Maybe what you say is true? (5th paragraph). I have felt the terror of the Lord before so I will certainly consider what you've seen in me.

Do you know how the Miitary teaches it's soldiers to be courageous? They tell them to act courageous and soon, they will be and this is true. If you act on something and take a stand for it, even out of fear for the Lord and this conditions them to act appropriately.

Would you like to hear about the day I got to feel the terror of the Lord God Almighty? I was checking e-mails and wasn't even thinking about the Lord, and...He walked into my room. I did not see Him, but take my word for it Sister, when Jesus walks into the room, everybody knows it and who it is. Then He spoke to me and I recognized His Voice! Blew my mind that I recognized His voice!

He spoke and said, Pray for Brother Michael, he needs help right now. Now I of course responded to Him with a, WHat? WHat happened? Is he ok?

And the Lord immediately responded. He said he needs help right now, pray for him right now...But the tone He took with me was the same tone that us parents use on our kids when we want them to obey. (The tone of Doom! and I felt the terror of the Lord in that instance. I was terrified and said, Yes Lord. And I prayed for the man immediately. Then I said my Amen after praying for the man to get help and the presence of the Lord left my room and I was alone again wondering what happened to my friend? And did he get the help he needed. I sent him a PM on the site I know the man, Michael from and asked what happened and I had to wait for 4 to 5 hours for him to respond to me, after he got home from, wherever.

He said something did happen and he did need help. He is diabetic (?) and was in class at his (adult) school. He felt an attack of low blood sygar coming on and knew he best go to the vending machines for some Juice or something. He left the class room and didn't make it to the vending machines. Class was in session so no one was in the halls to help him. He collapsed, and suddenly there was a stranger there saying, I've been sent to help Brother, what do you need? so he told him OJ and the man got him some and gave it to him and then after that he was ok.

Now what did I do wrong to get a dose of Terror from the Lord? I talked back to Him. (Yikes). I learned a good lesson that day. WHen the Lord tells you to do something, the only correct answer is, Yes Lord. Then I thought about John talking back to the Angel and getting struck dumb and could not speak until the child was born.

Now the Lord don't need me to help someone. He allowed me to participate, and did Not strike me dumb or anything and I was so glad for that! The Lord did not rebuke me only changed His tone. Now that was a praise the Lord moment! And I began taking the Lord's instructions to me seriously.

And it made me want to do more for the Lord. I am no Pastor and have no ministry. I drive an old beat up truck that is somewhat unreliable. And with the Lord's terror still fresh in my mind I knew, I better obey on whatever He tells me, and immediately. Scripture tells us to do many things in our life. And if I can't have a ministry, and I can't really go door to door because of the accident I had where the Lord saved my life keeps me from walking far. So what do I got? Hmm it says here that we re to speak our testimonies to people as we can (so here I am!), doing what I can. I've learned since then that, I am an Intercessor for the Lord. And pray for people that He tells me to or gives me unction to.

Now I know that most people will not hear what I say, and they will dismiss me as a nut, they are misled by their Pastors about comfort and so forth. That's what the Lord is teaching me about lately, Jesus did not promise us Comfort, He promised us Victory. We are to endure to the end and enforce the Victory, and...you don't learn about that in Sunday church. It's in the scriptures, but what is that to Sunday Christians?

So maybe I do operate in fear sometimes. But when scripture says, speak the truth and do not be deceived, one has to train themselves to act accordingly. Is that homeless guy going to spend my money on liquor? Nope, that is not my business. Mine is to give with a good loving heart and besides, it could even be Jesus or an Angel in disguise, and I understood, even alcoholics have to eat. So once I give him money, it's between him and God what he does with it, but he had the money to eat that day...I'd rather make an error in faith than imagining what might be or buddy are you going to go eat now? (Not my business) but the homeless guy is fed for the day and he is even the least of our brethern, right? So

Matthew 25:45
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me..../KJV
and Matthew 25: 40-45 is the entire section on it. So I gave that homeless guy enough to eat for two days or real good one day. I hope it he ate well.

Now was that done out of fear? Maybe maybe not? You did raise a good point though.