ann
Senior Member
Jesus did NOT say follow people .. He said follow ME!
Posts: 267
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Post by ann on Aug 10, 2007 12:50:33 GMT -5
Freedom From the Past
Matthew 11:28-30
We physically function in the present, but we aren't restricted to the "now" in our thought life. Some people live in the future—always thinking about what's coming next. Others live in the present and constantly process today's events. And some regularly live in the past, which has its own share of problems.
It's easy to get stuck in days gone by and dwell on old hurts and feelings of guilt. Sometimes it seems almost impossible to let go of a past mistake or error in judgment. When that's the case, feelings of regret wrap around our minds like chains. They prevent us from moving forward and anchor us to feelings of condemnation.
Is this how Jesus wants you to live? Of course not. God hasn't trapped you in your past. He came to deliver a life of freedom. And He wants to set you free to embrace a glorious future He's prepared. So how can you get there?
First, you must face your sin. Don't lie to yourself. Don't deny it. Admit your guilt to the Father. He already knows about it anyway.
Second, you must be willing to accept His forgiveness. Otherwise, you'll never really surrender your burden. He wants to carry your load, but you have to agree to let Him.
The third thing you must do to be free is to believe you have a future in Christ. John 10:10 says Jesus came to bring you an abundant, eternal life. You'll never experience that rich life if you continue to drag around your old mistakes.
Are you haunted by your past? Lay down the chains of regret, and experience the freedom of complete forgiveness.
** Charles Stanley In Touch Ministries Atlanta, GA
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Post by freespirit on Aug 10, 2007 17:24:16 GMT -5
What an uplifting post. Thank you.
peace to all, freespirit
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Bonnie
Senior Member
Posts: 212
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Post by Bonnie on Aug 10, 2007 17:27:28 GMT -5
Dr Charles Stanley was one of the first preachers I listen to after I quit taking part in meeting. I happen to hear him at my in-laws and could not believe how he spoke the spimple truth of the bible. God provided me someone at a time that I was needing sound scripture teaching. There is nothing flashy or party like about this man.
Love IN HIm Kathy
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Post by Anonymous on Aug 10, 2007 17:52:19 GMT -5
A very nice and helpful post.
Would we have seen it if we moved on from the friends and workers and away from this board?
Wait. Hear that? The accuser of the brethren. Oh, I think someone wants to contend something negative about Charles Stanley.
Wait for it. He's coming.
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Aug 10, 2007 19:16:31 GMT -5
Thanks for posting. One of the problems I've had is forgiving myself after God has forgiven me. It keeps us from moving on when we keep digging up what God has buried. Moving on is essential, because focusing on our sins after they have been forgiven is a waste of time- time we could be using to serve the Kingdom.
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Post by gloryintruth on Aug 11, 2007 0:25:45 GMT -5
A very nice post - and timely too.
Today, as I spent a few hours doing housework, I got to thinking about my future (which often seems bleak and unpromising), the present (my work as a teacher is often stressful - I could not cope with it without drugs), and the past (a patchwork of difficult experiences and unpleasant comments people have made).
I forget about the liberty of the Christian message. Often I focus on the things I need to do: I see Christianity as a burden or a kill-joy which I SHOULD shoulder and embrace consistently, but I frequently prefer to let my spiritual duties \ responsibilities slide. It's good to be reminded about the hope set before us.
I also know the experience of hating myself, hating mankind, and hating God. I have spent years wishing that the entire universe would be destroyed and I would enter happy oblivion; or better still, that God destroyed all creation after the sin of Adam and Eve. I have wished I had not been born; I have viewed life as a drugery; as I have said to a psychologist I saw a while ago: "I see no functional difference between life and death".
Most of this came about through an unwillingness to accept that God would forgive me. I realised it was pride - I thought I was so important and great, that surely I was the worst of sinners and surely beyond God's forgiveness.
Some days I'm happy and everything seems good. I have my work (there are good days); I have a nice home, a good car, two lovely dogs, and some supportive friends. But other days I feel let down. "Is this all there is to life?" I find myself thinking.
Interesting how some things co-incide. Thanks Ann for this post, and kudos to the genuine soul who wrote the words.
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Post by all that on Aug 11, 2007 13:46:46 GMT -5
...all that and GIT still believes that non-2x2s are doomed to a lost eternity due to their status as non-2x2s...
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Bonnie
Senior Member
Posts: 212
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Post by Bonnie on Aug 11, 2007 16:12:20 GMT -5
I forget about the liberty of the Christian message. Often I focus on the things I need to do: I see Christianity as a burden or a kill-joy which I SHOULD shoulder and embrace consistently, but I frequently prefer to let my spiritual duties \ responsibilities slide. It's good to be reminded about the hope set before us.
Git this paragraph made me so sad for you. Christianity in itself maybe a burden. The expectations of mankind, and yourself. But what God expects of you is not a burden at all, it will bring the utmost joy and sootheing. I believe with my whole heart that his yoke is easy. Ex: I suffer from some depression. And many mornings I wake up with some of the thoughts that you have stated above. I then kick myself out of the bed, and go straight to my bible and to the one and only our Lord and saviour who died so we might live. Do you know I have never been depressed when I left the scripture. Now as a caveat to this, I am not cronically depressed nor am I on meds, so maybe our situation is different. I just want you to be incouraged in Christ, and all that he has to offer.
Love in Him Kathy
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Post by freespirit on Aug 11, 2007 17:04:10 GMT -5
GloryinTruth--my heart goes out to you.
Here is a little something that has helped me in the past when I felt myself sinking into a deep hole: I would take a solitary walk--just 15-20 minutes or so and do a meditation on things I was grateful for. For 20 minutes give your mind a break from any negative thoughts, issues or problems. Get into gratitude mode--don't worry, when you are done with your 20 minutes for the day, you can pick up all your burdens if you still want to carry them. In the beginning I found this very hard. I couldn't think of much to be grateful for. Thank you for trees. Thank you for legs that walk. Thank you for a home. Thank you for clothes to wear. After a bit, I got a little stronger and my praise became more expansive. Nothing is too silly. Nothing is too small. Thank you for these little purple flowers. Thank you for socks. Thank you for clouds. It takes a little time, but I had amazing results--honestly a huge turn-a-round in my life. Jesus said His burden was light. He came to free us and bring us joy.
I also find music helpful. Sometimes loud drum music, sometimes quiet meditative music. Sometimes I just sing. But I let it flow over me and through me and let it connect me with something bigger.
And it's nice to find a little time each week to just do something FUN. No strings attached. Just pure silly fun. Something that you find truly enjoyable. Eat chocolate ice cream. Go rollerskating. Stop at a park and look at daisies. Buy a sketch pad. Read Calvin and Hobbs. Not something that takes up gobs of time... just maybe an hour a week to refill your well with a cup of joy.
I found that I have to physically seek out the presence of God sometimes to let Him heal me--like go to a sanctuary, a garden or a bookstore and just sit.
These are just somethings that helped me when I was in a bad place. Sending you a hug.
peace, freespirit
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Post by a human being on Aug 11, 2007 17:41:21 GMT -5
I am a man of constant sin. I feel miserable about it & I pray for forgiveness and for the strength and inspiration to resist....and yet I go on & on with my not-so-merry sinful ways. I have no credibility with The Lord.
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Post by slow to see on Aug 11, 2007 19:04:58 GMT -5
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life Romans 6:22 Hi GIT, A good "study" found at the following link, concerning "sin" in us . I have appreciated your honest and gracious posts of late, and can relate to some of your feelings. I agree, it is soooo easy to forget the LIBERTY we are called into. I find myself in a state of unbelief sometimes, thinking that maybe God could not forgive me for my past, present or future sins. This thinking is NOT true, and like others have helpfully mentioned, go to "THE WORD" , and get help to remove our doubts and fear. Thanks for your help and example of self-control when some post negatively in a personal way towards you. Alvin The "devil" likes to remind us of our "past", but does not like to hear about his own "future". www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/comm_read.pl?book=Rom&chapter=6&verse=22&Comm=Comm%2Fdavid_guzik%2Fsg%2FRom_6.html%230%26*David+Guzik%26&Select.x=25&Select.y=12
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