can I just be open?

[genesis]

Wow, Genesis, thank you for posting -

I have felt extreme anguish in my soul about the "Me-ism" of our current culture, where truth is relative and "it depends" and, most importantly, what has occurred as the deeper my walk has become with the Lord, the more I feel like I live in an Alice in Wonderland type world, where down is up and right is wrong. I feel like I'm in some weird science fiction movie where Evil is taking over and most of the population is blinded to it and there are a few lone voices trying to cry out in the wilderness and getting shut down.

And now we have a young, unseasoned man as our president to steer us through an economic mess and deal with some downright nutball world leaders and to be Commander -in - Chief. I know he will need our prayers. I hope his reputation for being brilliant will prove true and he will be open to wise counsel I especially pray that he will be open to seeking wisdom in prayer.

I remind myself that God is always in control, but I can't remember ever feeling so defeated - like I'm watching the world I knew slip away and the beginning of the end times. Part of me is joyful and part of me is downright afraid at what we may face and the fact that some of the dearest people in my life are still not saved and don't seem interested in becoming saved either that causes me great distress. My youngest daughter told me yesterday that she proudly voted against the California initiative on defining marriage as between a man and a woman. I told her I proudly voted for it. My kids looked at me like I was some horrible bigot. To them it's a matter of equal rights.

So, yes, I will have to spend a lot of time in prayer and praise and in the dear Word of God to fight off this urge to just go renegade and build a cabin in the woods somewhere and hide like some "fundamental, right-wing extremist"

Thank you, all you dear ladies, for letting me know I'm not the only one. I haven't wanted to be a downer or offend anyone so I haven't really posted these thoughts. Thanks again for the scriptural references. Got to get back to the basics!

Let us rebuke the enemy and he will flee.

Win

I could have said these exact words. It seems that many of us have this sense about what's happening.

Now is the time to stay encouraged and strong-a verse I always use for my son applies well here:
From Joshua 1 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."


ABout Prop 8---I noticed that many of the "NO on 8" stickers and signs were held by younger people. These are young adults who don't have children, and have not considered the ramification of this--not only for their own children, but for children that will be adopted into gay marriages, what is going to happen in the justice system and the law suits this will bring, the fact that this takes away the rights of pastors and other clergy to say no to performing a marriage they don't believe is right, and on and on. They are thinking mostly of just the "live and let live" theory. But one thing we can be sure of---as someone else said, we'll see it pass in our day! I don't even think it will take 20 yrs. but possibly the next 4 yr election.

[genesis]

Win,
I understand the looks and people looking at you as if your a bigot. Yesterday I voted not for a candidate but for my beliefs...my christian beliefs and the difference of right and wrong..not on my terms but what the word of God says....and my whole family looked at me like I was nuts. This world is a mess but you know what Greater is he who lives in us than he who lives in the world.
God Bless

This is exactly what I taught my kids this election. We don't vote for age, color, or any other reason except what the moral compass is of the person and whether it is in line with God's word. I gave them the example that if a man like Martin Luther King Jr were running--then I'd run to the polls with his name on my ballot!

[genesis]

I, too have been thinking along the same lines.
My mom and I were talking about same sex marriages today and I said by the time my 5 year old is 25 it will probably be as common as people talking on their cell phones is now.
Everything is seems so perverted and hopeless sometimes.
Hang in there Genesis! My prayers are with you.

Thanks lovelevi--

I had to have a frightening talk with my son this past week. Because of the election talks on the playground the issue of abortion was brought up by one child. I should note that these kids who should be playing tag and tetherball, are discussing abortion and gay marriages at the age of 10! And--they go to a CHristian private school!
Anyway, he had no idea what that meant so he asked me. I was so thankful it was not my daughter who had heard about it (his twin sister also 10). She couldn't handle hearing what that meant--it would be too much for her to bear. But I had to explain what abortion meant to my 10 yr old son--it was so difficult and I felt like he was robbed of some innocence, if that makes any sense. Like---how does a young boy process hearing that sort of thing really?

Lord come.

[genesis]

I struggle with this from time to time also. When I do I turn to II Corinthians 4--the whole chapter paying special attention to verse 17. Someday in eternity all of this will seem like only a second in time.

Padi

Thanks for sharing this verse Padi--

2 cor 4:16-18
6Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

[genesis]

thanks for your encouargement and reminders gracenoah, and pebbles.

[ozzie]

Reading all of your posts & there is such a sense of overwhelming disappointment, like mourning or grieving. It seems as though a black cloud is looming over USA at the moment. Just watching from afar, in some ways there is a sense of a nation struggling to hold onto being the 'head' of the nations.

Can I just encourage you that He has His precious ones covered, that He is building His church, that He is the light piercing through the darkness & He lives in us, take heart He has overcome the world, He will be with us, even to the end of the age. His people cry out to Him & He hears them. There' nothing that's taken Him by surprise.

Also, I really believe the grieving over sin & injustice we feel, (& we can only see a part of the picture, so imagine How he see's it all) is what He's gone through since Genesis. I remember reading in shock, " And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And God repented that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart. God said I will blot out the man whom I have created from the surface of the ground, from man to beast for I repent that I have made them". Genesis 6:5-7. Wow, wow. He repented for creating us. I felt a shiver when I read that. But then read on "But Noah found favor in the sight of God. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:8-9.

Although God feels 100% the weight & horror over our participation in darkness, at the same time he has 100% given us hope in His remedy, His answer - His Son.

The thing is, amongst the darkness & pain & injustice, there is Christ, the light in the darkness, the beauty amongst the ugliness, the colour & warmth, the hope of today & tomorrow. And we belong to Him, we are found in Him, & Him in us, so we can shine amongst a wicked & crooked world, bring the world the message of hope. We are the righteousness of God in Christ.

This world is passing away, as is our 'outer man', but the inner man is being renewed day by day, and He has overcome the world. Eventually this world will be rolled up like a scroll & will pass away, but we have hope in Him for a new heaven & new earth as He has promised. No more war, no more tears, no more pain & abuse. If our only hope was in this world alone, how depressing, but we have hope in eternity.

"And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where also the beast and the false prothet were, and they will be tormented day & night forever & ever" Rev 20:10

Let's keep awake, giving thanks, praying for every soul we come into contact with, that the Father of lights would draw them, their hearts would be prepared to receive His seed, for opportunities to help the lost & also share hope & truth. Our redeemer lives, His light pierces through the darkness. Let's look to Him the author & FINISHER of our faith. He will build His church, a bride, the wife of the Lamb.

"And there will no longer be a curse. And the throme of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servents will serve Him. And they will see His face & His name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more, and they have not need of the light, the Lord God will shine over them, and they will reign forever & ever." Rev 22:3-5

Behold I make all things new.

[ohiogirlcm]

Amen Ozzie!

[genesis]

thank you for pouring that all out, Ozzie. It was very encouraging!!!
We can't be discouraged and rendered useless. We CAN have hope in His glorious plan.

This is what my pastor talked about last Sunday. That we need t be prepared to stand firm, even in the face of death, should it come to that. We HAVE TO KNOW God's word, or we WILL--not might---be deceived. We have to meet daily with God for His direction and counsel and restoration. We have to stay close together and not keep ourselves isolated (this is my biggest issue--so thank God for this group, my only fellowship at this time)--we have ot pray together, support each other, encourage and uplift each other, BUT ALSO---not be afraid to correct and rebuke each other if we find each other in sin. We can't be too proud to accept counsel and correction! if it is in line with God's word--we need ot take it to prayer and consider it, lest we fall into the devil's trap.

We need ot pray daily that God would bind the offenses of this world from our hearts---lest our love grow cold. We need ot pray that we would have a deeper understanding of His love, os we can better see those who offend us through HIS EYES and not ours.

We need to get armored up, and sleep with one eye open, pray without ceasing, stay alert and self controlled.

Below is an example of what I witnessed, firsthand, if we are not prepared and work daily ot know and follow God's word.
This is a sad share--
I had left a talk group about a year ago because what started out as an "outreach" group turned into a place of vicious god-haters, the ropes were loosed and disrespect was tolerated.
I began to see a few younger generation Christians beginning to compromise--I beleive it was for the sake of popularity and for gaining approval from the non-believers; they wanted to be considered cool and not part of the "narrow-minded, ignorant, illogical, Christians."
Well--3 days ago I decided to go and look in the group to see what people were talking about after he election. If the group even still existed, I fully suspected there would be much rage over Prop 8, etc. What I found broke my heart.
I found that about 5 of the younger, newer believers have turned their backs on Christ and were now denying Him. I found a few others who have not denied CHrist, but have so greatly compromised and were denying His word about homosexuality as truth--they weren't far from hopping to the devils side of the line--viciously attacking other christians for standing by God's word. I found the leader had taken a hiatus (looked ot be a few months) because of despair in her life (according to the goodby post she left), and I found what was left was a VICIOUS, extremely VILE, pack of rabid wolves! The devil himself was among them.

It was as though I was looking into the end of time, this is what it will be like. So filled with anger and rage, viciousness and vile, detestable, perversion. The hatred and anger was so great against one lone Christian woman who was standing by God's Truth that I fear had it been in real person she would've been murdered or beaten at least by this group--and they even said this.

Believers left un-discipled are going to hop to the other side. Our younger generation is being brought up in a world where tolerance is cool, and it is very dangerous and social suicide to be intolerant. They are being indoctrinated by school systems and peers, rather than discipled by parents and church.

But we have to clutch on to this PROMISE of our heavenly Father for our children--

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.


We have to teach our children how to hear His voice. and if we ever get the opportunity to witness a conversion, we need to be willing to give the time to disciple until that person is established in their faith.


Oh good grief--I don't mean to sound like I'm preaching at you, I know you know this already--I guess I'm just sharing what's been in my heart, and trying ot work this through with a group of "safe" women who aren't hateful and are like-minded in Christ.

[Bondservant]

This is exactly what my dh and I have been discussing.

Revelations 3:15-16 says " I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth."

This is Jesus giving direct warning. My church is lukewarm in a lot of areas. Yes, we do a lot of outreach, we have a sister church in communist China that we completely support. The preacher preaches the love of Christ but basically stops there. It is almost as if we are afraid to speak about repentance, turning away from sin, walking holy. We are afraid of offending anyone lest we seem too radical.

Well, call me a radical. During this election I was shocked at how many of my co-workers and fellow church goers think abortion is ok depending on the circumstances. I understand that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, but my goodness... when did we stop preaching that it is wrong to have sex before marriage or that gossip is a sin? When did we stop preaching that our words spoken against another is considered murder in our hearts?

Gt is right, we are in desperate need of a revival, and I know I need to start with my own heart many times. That is what I love about all of my sisters here on CWT. I know that if I sin you will hold me accountable.

Be bold in speaking Gods truth with love, that is all we can do.

In His Grip, Melissa

[ozzie]

It is like the line is becoming clearer & clearer........
Matthew 12:30
30He who is not with Me [definitely on My side] is against Me, and he who does not [definitely] gather with Me and for My side scatters.

We have been called & seperated in this world, from the world, joined with Him & our fellow believers. The scriptures are very clear .....

1 John 5:19-21
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

I thank Him for the fellowship here at CWT, with loving, truth seeking, Holy Spirit boldness filled women, precious members of His body, growing together with the rich supply of the Vine.

[genesis]

Amen...I am also SO thankful! I've searched and searched the internet for years to find a fellowship group who was honest and real. And would counsel according to doctrine rather than simply appeasing the one whose walk was wayward---compromising the word of God for the sake of popularity.


You provided:
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.

During the times of feeling oppressed by the ways of the fallen world, I have often been reminded of this. I'm reminded that the the reason I am feeling so depressed is becasue I am share in the sadness, sharing in the understanding, of what is happening, why it is happening, and the greater destruction that is to come. I share, with CHrist, in the RIGHTEOUS ANGER of sin and the consequences of sin.

But I have to be very careful to not become self-righteous in it. I also have to keep going back to the Psalms and worship with David. I relate so closely with his anger and his cries to the Lord for justice, but what helps me most is after I cry out together with the Psalms, I read on, and am reminded of HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!
He will avenge in His time.
He is in control.
He is our refuge and fortress, our God in whom we trust.
He is our salvation.
He is our Deliverer.
He is our Defender,
our Comforter,
our Redeemer.
He is our mighty King.
He is our Maker and our Light.
He is our Most High.

He lives and He reigns over all!

[Bountiful]

Just wanted to thank you, genesis, for starting this thread and for all who have contributed to it. God has really blessed me with the fellowship I find here. The willingness to go places that are tough, to freely express what is on our hearts and then together, to search God's Word and His will for our lives, to encourage and support one another - all these precious things can be really hard to find in our 3D worlds. Thank you, Lord, for bringing us all here!

[pebbles]

Okay a little late coming back to this thread but wow!! Loads of encouragement and spiritual wisdom from everyone. Bondservant I never heard that Revelation scripture about being lukewarm before how powerful.

I listen to this radio station called 99.5 I think it is DCX that comes out of Buffalo New York. Last NIght there was a pastor (think his last name was McGee) on talking about how we live in a world that only wants to hear about positive thinking. Sometimes we need to hear about the negatives. He said it is this same attitude that means that people do not feel free to say that No , a behaviour is not right e.g homosexuality and so many other areas of life. He talked about how we become christians who compromise on God's laws.

My morning is off to a good start reading your posts.

Take care Pebbles

[ozzie]

Pebbles, I agree.
You reminded me of that scripture in Revelation about neither being hot or cold...
I was 16, had just come back from a youth camp, had said the 'sinners prayer', felt different, but didn't know much different. I just happened to open the bible to this scripture in Revelation 3:15-16" I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of My mouth."
I was for the first time ever in awe of God's power, I had reverence for a completely sovereign God who has given us a choice to say 'no' to him. (And He desires for us so strongly not to be apathetic, but to passionately with open hearts come to Him, to then learn & grow (often painfully) to the full knowledge of Him. He doesn't want us to be numb or blind or ignorant.)
Then guess what, only months after reading that scripture, I went cold. The 'weeds' choked the seed of the Word I'd heard & for 10 years I would almost say I ran the other way from God.
I never forgot that verse though, I did forget temporarily, but the Word remained in me. Eventually I couldn't turn my back anymore. What an Amazing God we have, who asks us to see Him, know Him, and takes us back when we've 'forgotten' Him, with love & tenderness.

[Gentletouch]

I do not have much to say at that time.

What I see is a little victory here, a great battle there and that is what Rev. Liberty Savard meant when she wrote the books "PULLING DOWN THE STRONGHOLDS" and "BREAKING THE POWER". GOD did not mean for us to live a life of constant battle, but a life of freedom from the Prison Of The Law of Sin. GOD is reminding us that JESUS gave the Keys of the Kingdom to HIS church so that we will have a victorious, peaceful, comfortable life through HIS word during our homeward journey here on earth.

I recommended for those who have not yet visited the thread "Do you want to get out of Jail " I think in this forum and see if there is something for you there. Something that might appear new concept but those words of GOD has been there all the time. The Bible is so full of rich blessings that many times GOD has to call Servants who are willing to follow the vision given by the HS painfully and share it to HIS church to accomplish HIS purpose and plans for us here on earth so that we will not always be under the oppression of satan living a hard, very hard life here on earth.

Gentletouch