Rainwater

When I was very young, I avoided confrontation with sharing the gospel after peer pressure. This led to sinning and much of that derived from feelings of shamefulness due to not being bolder. Consequences included were that others did not see a testimony worthy of consideration and others were not convicted of their own, "lukewarmness". As I grew older, God taught me that persecution was a spiritual battle with great consequences when avoiding spiritual principles. I began to put on the armour of God. I became a stronger Chrisitan, yet, now as the years roll by, I see how weak I am, and how strong and dependable He is. It is better to suffer because their is gain in obedience for the Kingdom of God and for our own souls. It is sad to grieve the Holy spirit. Other souls depend on our testimony.

It is impossible to please God with doubt and unbelief. If God requires something of us we must trust Him. If we are committed to God then we must consider "what is our purpose", "what are we designed for", knowing that our Creator is faithful, has a plan for us, and even gave his life for us. Our willingness becomes joy as we take up our cross daily. Not always "fun", many times, "grievous", but nevertheless, joyful. Oh, and remember, the press. Being in the wine press will be much better than on the threshing floor and found to be something not worthy of keeping.

Q1. (4:12) What's the danger of trying to avoid persecution and suffering for Christ? Have you ever been distracted by persecution from what you should have been doing? Have you ever observed this in other Christians? The danger is sin. We are to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. With every distraction that we do not find direction from God's word we may see temptation. Running after God requires an abondendment of our soul to His. When we avoid persecution and suffering we might be saying, I will, not God's will. Thus, we sin.

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Nice post, Karey. Thanks.

2 Timothy 1:9 (New International Version) 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life

1. Describing the behavior of a Christian who identified more with this present homeland than this heavenly one could easily be seen in an addiction counseling room. Many Christians that have not learned to set their mind on Christ often lean to the support of drugs or alcohol or other addictive and sinful behaviors to help them cope with the problems of living. Character traits are often selfishness to the core and often an "entitlement" mentality which I find interesting. If one feels "entitled" in this world we set our sites on material things. If we understand that we are "entitled" to God's promises, and heavenly things, we would understand more how to live with power in this world, with Christian love. Other traits one may identify with living "below" our entitled standards may be the following; Complaining versus praise Lazy versus action oriented Impulsive versus thoughtful Self-willed versus God directed Worldy instead of Godly Gossip, slander instead of truth To name a few.... 2. As a young Christian I struggled to give up worldy things. As I grew in Jesus, I came to understand His great love for me, and His desire for me to know and understand Him better. As I grew closer to Him, I let go of the things that once held me captive. Today, I would say that my struggles are more to do with staying calm in my spirit and showing a much greater love to others. People would say that I am a tremendously loving person. HOWEVER....my prayer lately has been, "God, help me to love others, better". Since that time, I have seen a lack of love in myself. Even though others say I am loving, I began to see that they were judging my behaviors to that of the world, around them....not in the standard of God's love for us. After this, I began to struggle to change and a spiritual battle became very apparant. But, that's ok. I'm gonna love anyway!....and try harder to be like Jesus. This has brought me to a greater level of surrender. Right where I want to be....holding on to the ROCK. 3. My husband was slandered on his job and then he lost that job. He is a very loving Christian man that is very full of God. After this, we lost our home. We had just adopted another baby. The financial pressure was turned up. Our church sorotof discarded us, I don't think we looked that great during our struggle even though I tried to walk in grace. This spiraled my husband into depression and folks, he is a man of faith. Can we be transparent here?...These trials have helped me return to a former, more faith filled walk that I started with. I am more dependent on God today. I am happily looking for His direction. The spiritual battle has pressed us to start a new work which could change the lives of many people, and yet, even this work we have had to surrender to God. We are like children waiting on their Father to move. Watching. Standing. Believing.

Hi Everyone, I'm a Christian that desires to shout to the Lord in the midst of a world that seems to sortof....sing with a moan. My life has been filled with many trials, but with alot of victory. As a counsleor, I am touched to the core of how Jesus desires to touch those who seek Him.....or don't know Him at all. He loves us. Anyway, my husband and I write Christian music, record, etc....We start new works, and over the last 4 years, the trials have increased so much, especially for my husband that I see a new level of suffering. In fact, I have even said, due to an illness he has suffered with, "I see him as like Jesus carrying His cross towards Calvary...on the last leg...." I remember, though, at that point, Jesus was headest towards His greatest victory. With that said, I have struggled to be totally consistent with my Christian character to the level I know God wants it to be....when in suffering situations. It's so easy to be "good" when we are all doing great! I have also been fought in my prayer life tremendously. But, with other believers, I have seen recent, over the past few months....miracles of healing in others...I mean, documented healings!.....Now, I am wanting to see my husband healed....that brokenness that God raises up. I love to sing, play piano....praise God! and see emotional healing in the broken...and salvations! That's just a bit of why I am here. I'm thankful this study is available, from the bottom of my heart! Thankyou!