I fear Hell Yet I Forget God

[JamesLovesGod]

I fear the future for myself now, my whole family have seemed to turn on me. Let me update you on today then i would like some feedback and advice.

I decided to get rid of £170's worth of drugs which i was selling, i knew it was wrong and decided to get rid of it as i wanted to become closer to god and this wasnt helping. I threw it into a public bin, 1 Hour later my dad and brothers found out and they went mad, called me stupid and idiot and cursed me. I went back to the bin and found it there so i took it out, i then went home and everyone was mocking me as a christian and saying 'Here We Go Again, Hes been reading the bible' and basiclly saying its fake and that im wasting my time. I picked it up and threw it out the wndow ( i live in a high rise flat ). My brother went downstairs and picked it up, he then said if i dont want it he will, so i then got angry becuase i had basiclly passed drugs onto my brother and now he has them. I said if he sells them i wont speak to him, if he chooses £170 over his family then i wont be a part of that family, and he said 'SO'. My friend had £40 worth of my drugs, he was selling for me, i said he can throw it away, i dont want it back. My dad is now calling me selfish as i gave it my friend and not my dad, when in reality this wasnt my intention, all i wanted to do with it was get it out my site. All this has backfired, My dad said he wont do nothing for me, my brothers reply is 'SO, YOU DID IT SO I CAN'. I feel helpless and angry that its all turned out far worse then it has, what can i do to make all this better? My girlfriend is the only one who sticks by my, everyone thinks im stupid.

I know in reality this is the devils way at getting back at me, and i wont let him wion, but i fear im going to be thrown onto the streets and left with nowere to live.

Please what can i do, im going to read the bible and pray as i really need god at this time, i need some feedback and advice from you all, what can i do? I dont want to hate my family even if they hate me but there lives evolve around money, thre heartless and when moneys concerned they all change.

Im also going to colledge in september to become a teacher, my future plans are to work for god, maybee teaching and preaching so i know this will help.

BTW: My depression is down to my family turning and all the madness thats going on.

Regards

 

[stovebolts]

James,
I know it's tough... Read Matthew 6, and focus on

Matthew 6:33 But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

God Bless

Jeff

 

[JamesLovesGod]

I will read mathew 6 Tonight. Thanks for all your help

 

[y not peace?]

to thread starter: all you need to focus on is do onto others as you would have them do onto you, and simply be peaceful in your daily acts. Folo Jesus, and that will get you to heaven.

 

[Quath]

I would suggest that you keep a diary. Write down what you feel; what scriptires are inspiring you now; and what you want to do.

You are taking a stand on principles. Sometimes you have to stand alone. But I think everyone on this forum is backing you in stopping selling drugs and giving it up.

Find some peaceful places such as a park, library or wherever you feel comfortable. It sounds like you need a break and some unwinding.

But on the other side of the fence, I'm not going to tell sombody that they have a medical problem because they are hyper, depressed etc...

Yeah, I agree with you. I don't have depression problems so these solutions work for me.

Quath

 

[Lyric's Dad]

I am no doctor, but I don't think it's too wise to go telling others to seek "professional" medical help at this point.

Depression in most cases is a natural occurence. Does it feel good? No. Does it serve a purpose? Absolute. Think of it like that warning light on your dashboard. It's flashing to tell you that something is wrong.

I said "If you are depressed medically seek professional help." In other words, if the depression is the result of physical changes in the brain. This is exactly when you would want to see a doctor becayse they can help harmone imbalances.

There is a lot of ignorance associated with depression. It is a problem like a broken bone or arthritis. It is just that people can not see the brain and they just want to act like it is something made up. However, if you could look at the brain, you would notice brain shrinkage in some people with depression problems. Drugs and therapy have been known to help (and show the resuls by the brain returning to a more normal size).

It seems that too mahy people want to gargle with holy water, chant religious phrases, pray and hold snakes rather than see a doctor when it would help them out.

Quath

Partially true. If you are depressed spend more time with the Great Physician, Jesus.

 

[Klee shay]

When we love God it comes with a responsibility to forget what we want for ourselves. I know this is the hardest thing to do when you are in need of immediate help. We think we can conjure up our own help though. We think if we can figure out why then we can figure out how to do it better or not to sin next time?

The truth is mankind is lost on this earth and there are stumbling blocks everywhere. The enemy loves to conjure up new stumbling blocks with our fears and there is plenty of fuel here to feed them.

The answer isn't God though. No, the answer is in finding God.

He isn't an idol to be worshipped with lip service. He isn't a quick fix. He isn't always soothing when we need a tender touch either. Finding God is one of the hardest journey's you will ever take in this life. Harder than throwing away drugs. Harder than confronting your family. Harder than loving yourself. It is hard because true love refines and purifies those who seek God. True love is dying to what we want and seeking that which the world is only too eager to steer us away from - the love of God.

He can love you James but he cannot make your life any easier at the moment because you are in the process of being broken. Only then can God remake you to the kind of man you want to be. You are vulnerable though. Expect the enemy to feed your fears. Expect the wall to be higher than you think you can climb. Expect that finding God will be frought with difficulties and rejection, because then you will see the snares before you.

I have found in my journey that the fear is not from the enemy, but from actually finding God. For in finding him we truly give up our lives and the desires of our world. It is correct to assume that we will still be imperfect however and still give into temptation from time to time; but the journey of finding God is in continuing even when we fail him.

You have found the desire to love God and now you're feeling this failure all around you and in you. Let me tell you this is a good thing. For now you can see the snare laid and you can overcome it by continuing your journey towards God. What you need to hear is that you're on the right path. Rejecting your old life choices and struggling in this personal conflict with your old self is the right path - for there you will find God.

He is rebuilding you James and this stage is very hard. In your failure know that God is working though, and in your family's rejection know that the Lord has accepted you as you are. For in accepting you he has drawn you closer to the source of his joy - Jesus Christ and through him you will be moulded.

You cannot see that far ahead right now and that is a good thing. Today's worries are enough for today, so let the Lord carry the worries of tomorrow. For that is the choice you have made. Not an easy one but one that will redefine the man you are. Your family's focus is on tomorrow and planning their future while your focus will be on today and letting the Lord provide for tomorrow and eternity.

Don't be afraid of the pain - it is moulding you for greater things.

 

[stovebolts]

Klee shay,

Very well summerized and stated.

 

[aiki]

JLG:

You have already been given some important things to consider, James, but I'd like to say a couple of things to you, too.

First off, you use the word "fear" alot. YOu fear the future, being thrown out onto the streets, going to Hell, and even God Himself. A passage from the New Testament comes to mind when I read of all your fear:

"And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he who dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect (or complete/mature), that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect (complete/mature) love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He who fears is not made perfect (complete/mature) in love. We love Him because He first loved us." (1John 4:16-19)

James your problems spiritually, at their root, are all about love. The apostle John in the above quotation writes directly to your situation. James, have you known and believed the love that God has to you? Your fear and depression suggest that you have not. Sometimes, a guilty conscience can dominate our minds so much that we begin to think of nothing but God's judgment. But we sin and suffer a guilty conscience because our love for God has been corrupted. Sound like anyone you know, James? The remedy for a guilty conscience is pretty simple, however:

"If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteuosness." (1 John 1:9)

Christians often get to the place where they think God is out to keep the best, most enjoyable things from them. This is what Eve thought when she sinned in Eden. In reality, however, God asks us to live the way He tells us to in the Bible for our sake, not His. You see, when we do as God commands we are protected and blessed and experience an intimacy with God that can be more fulfilling than anything this world we live in might offer. Of course, if you aren't convinced God truly loves you, you'll have a hard time believing God's way is better than any other. Certainly, if you don't believe God loves you, you aren't going to trust Him enough to direct your entire life. Oh, you might give Him bits and pieces of it, just to see what happens, and when its convenient, but laying down your whole life for His sake, which is what ultimately He asks of us all, isn't something your going to be able to do. And the problem with this is that the kind of sweet, delightful, peaceful fellowship God intends for us to have with Him is not possible until we submit fully to Him.

I tell you, James, when you fully and deeply understand and are convinced of God's love for you, your fear will evaporate. Thoughts of being thrown out into the street will cause you no fear at all because you know that a loving God has your back and will "work out all things together for your good" (Romans 8:28). You see, love and trust are two sides of the same coin. The more you are certain of a person's love for you, the more you are able to trust them. So, too, with God. This is what John the apostle meant when he wrote, "perfect love casts out fear".

Do you know of the parable of the Prodigal Son, James? At the end of the story the Prodigal Son is nearing his home. He has wasted his inheritance and dishonored his father, but has become so desperate that he returns home in the hope of becoming one of his Father's servants. But no way! The Father sees his son coming a long way off and - what do you think? Does the Father beat his Son? Does he yell at him for wasting his inheritance? No, no, no! He runs to his boy and folds him in his arms and hugs him hard. And then he throws his Prodigal Son a party! This is a picture of God's heart toward you and me, James. He loves us and when He sees us returning to Him after we've wandered away, He joyfully runs to embrace us and begin afresh our fellowship with Him. Truly, God loves us!

God loved us enough to become flesh and live among those who would despise Him. He died a horrible, horrible death so that you and I might escape the consequences of our evil deeds. He did this before we knew Him; when we were still His enemies! He suffered humiliation, pain, and death for you and me. What do you think, James? Does God love us? Yes, He does! More than you can imagine!

"In this was made apparent the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the payment for our sins." (1 John 4:9, 10)

YOu can trust God, James. When your whole life goes topsy-turvy He hasn't changed. He still loves you as much now as when He died for you. He will hold you and keep you no matter what. Doing things His way is always better. Maybe not always happier, or more pleasant, but it is always better. God loves you, James.

In Christ, Aiki.

 

[JamesLovesGod]

Aiki

Thanks for your reply. I feel alot better now ive got rid of the drugs. My brother gave them me back and i threw them away........there gone. Im still having problems i feel nothing half as bad as i did when i was dealing drugs. A big weight has shifted off my shoulder and i feel like i can now read the bible without being burdened by it. I drink about 3 Units of alchol a day, usually at night when im designing my website, i think this is or will become a problem if i dont curb it, so im not focusing on that.

Im now concerntrating on making more time for time for god in the daytime, as the word comes so will faith and trust, so i think i need to start there. A few months ago i thought i was doing so well, i even attended a church, then it all failed, but i learn from these times. The times i was most high is when the devil attacked, and i became weaker. In future ill look out for the devils attacks and wont be so quick to jump of the mark.

I do belive theres a god, i belive john the baptist jesus in the jordan and placed all the sins of the world on jesus' head. I also belive that jesus died, the lamb of god had to die to fulfil the scriptures, just as the lamb had to shed blood for the sins to be fogiven. Im amazed at this and it makes me feel emotional to know jesus put his life on the line for us, he had so many friends, people that loved him and would so anything for him, yet he still left it all to die for our sins. I always think the hardest thing for me to die would be leaving my family, but jesus left a whole lot more people behind then me. But jesus will see them all again if they follow the law, the same as my future children and friends will see me if they follow the law.

I thank everyone for there help and belive me you have helped alot. Please could you let me know the bible cordinates for that parable.

Thanks

 

[aiki]

JLG:

The Bible reference for the story of the Prodigal Son is: Luke 15:11-32.

You wrote:

But jesus will see them all again if they follow the law, the same as my future children and friends will see me if they follow the law.

James, this isn't what the Bible teaches. Salvation is found in a person, not in obedience to the law.

"And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life: and he who has not the Son of God has not life." (1 John 5:11, 12)

What's more, we who are "accepted in the beloved" are given a righteous standing before God, or "justified", only by our faith in Christ as our Saviour. Our good deeds have no power to justify us, or give us this righteous standing.

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested (or, made apparent), being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them who believe..." (Ro. 3:20-22)

The truth of the matter is that your salvation was God's doing from the start. He drew you to Himself (Jn. 6:44), He saved you (Tit. 3:5), and He will bring to eternal fulfillment your life in Christ (Phil. 1:6; 2:13; Heb. 12:2). If God were not to do so, you and I would be Hell-bound for sure!

God is good! :D :D :D

In Christ, Aiki.

 

[Merry Menagerie]

But jesus will see them all again if they follow the law, the same as my future children and friends will see me if they follow the law.

So are you saying that christ fulfilling the law, then nailing it to the cross and dying so that we all have freedom from the law of sin and death wasn't enough?

 

[JamesLovesGod]

But jesus will see them all again if they follow the law, the same as my future children and friends will see me if they follow the law.

So are you saying that christ fulfilling the law, then nailing it to the cross and dying so that we all have freedom from the law of sin and death wasn't enough?

Sorry i didnt mean it like that, i ment if they follow god and belive he died on the cross for there sins and admitt there sinners, i will see them. Christ taking all the sins on his head whilst being baptised by john is more then enough for me. Being saved is a delight.

 

[JamesLovesGod]

Aiki may i discuss this parable.

Ive read through it and like it, im getting to grips with what it means. Is the son who works in the feild compared to the christians who are not a fault?

The message im getting is the son was lost, when he was found his farther threw a feast cos he was pleased his son is safe. The same way god throws a feast in heaven for us when we are saved. The son in the field is blamless, he already has everything that belongs to the farther, just as god is giving us his wealth and kindom upon our departure.

I also read the parable of the lost sheep, which gives me the same message, God would rather sit in a room of sinners and preach, as there the sick ones that need god. We already have him.

 

[aiki]

JLG:

Hey, there!

You wrote:

Is the son who works in the feild compared to the christians who are not a fault?

Sort of. There is no such thing as a Christian without fault. The elder son compares himself to the younger and makes the claim that, unlike his brother, he "never transgressed at any time the father's commandment". But this is a hyperbolic comparison - an exaggerated comparison to strengthen the difference between the two of them. Ironically, the complaint the elder son makes is itself a "transgression", for it wrongly assumes a frivolous, indulgent attitude on the part of the father toward the wicked behaviour of the younger son as the reason for the party. In reality, though, the party is an expression of the joy the father feels at the recovery of his son.

I suppose that the elder brother is more dutiful and honoring toward his father and may thus be seen as less at fault than the Prodigal Son. But as a symbol of the dutiful Christian, the elder son exhibits a rather unrighteous attitude both toward his father and his brother.

I also read the parable of the lost sheep, which gives me the same message, God would rather sit in a room of sinners and preach, as there the sick ones that need god. We already have him

Uh, well, I dunno'. The fact of the matter is that we all need God, saved or not. Really, all that spiritual maturity amounts to for the Christian is an increasing dependance on God. I don't think Scripture teaches that God prefers the company of the unsaved over the fellowship He has with us as His children.

In Christ, Aiki.

 

[JamesLovesGod]

Uh, well, I dunno'. The fact of the matter is that we all need God, saved or not. Really, all that spiritual maturity amounts to for the Christian is an increasing dependance on God. I don't think Scripture teaches that God prefers the company of the unsaved over the fellowship He has with us as His children.

Well yes in a way i belive your correct but in a way i would disagree. We all need god, thats very true, but the evil people in this world dont give him a first glance as there blinded by the devil. We all need god and people like me and you have already taken him into our hearts and allowed him into our lives, so in us the seed is growing. The pharasise are evil and contradict gods words, so when he spoke of the parable he was really speaking about the pharasis. We are all sheep, except we are the ones in the flock who know god, the pharasise are the ones who wander of and are the ones that need saving.

Compare it to a doctor, if someone has cancer and is treament there already getting help, so they need no more attention, the doctor would rather go out and find the patients who dont know they have cancer so they can be treated.

This is the message im reading, sometimes i miss-use words thats why you may read it wrong . Its true everyone needs god, but in effect we already know him, we have and know gods love (even though we may stray), theres people out there who dont.

God bless to you and thanks for your reply. I may be wrong by what im saying, its just the message im getting from the parables.

 

[aiki]

JLG:

Hey, there!

I get where you're coming from on all this. I agree that, in a way, those who are not saved are in much greater need of a Saviour than those who are saved. It's a common mistake, though, for a Christian to think, "Okay, I'm saved now. How things go from here is all up to me." Colossians 2:6, 7 says, "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him. Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith..." In other words, I receive from Christ all that I need to be godly in him in the same way that I received my salvation from him. This is what John 15 is talking about when it refers to you and I as branches of the Vine. :D

We are all sheep, except we are the ones in the flock who know god, the pharasise are the ones who wander of and are the ones that need saving.

Yep. I'd agree with that. Of course, the "sheep" Christ spoke of in his parable were symbolic of all sinners who yet need a Saviour.

God bless, JLG!

In Christ, Aiki.