I was wondering if people wanted to share positive changes in their life after they discovered the victorious truth that Jesus really is the savior of all mankind.
Sort of as, you will know them by their fruits...what have been the fruits of being blessed with the knowledge of UR?
For me, it's been:
1) deliverance from the anxiety and fear of hell
2) knowing God loves all and will save all makes me better able to love all of my sisters and brothers.
3) being able to trust God and has plan. Before, I would pray to God for him to do this or that and now I pray the Lord's Prayer (Our Father) daily ("Your will be done") and give thanks more freely
4) I don't examine others and judge them (are they "saved"? Are they christian enough? Are they good enough? Why don't they try harder?)
5) I truly can love my enemies more (not perfectly yet)
6) loving God more, reading the bible, praying more intimately
7) sharing my faith more. I used to be ashamed to say I was a Christian because of how many "Christians" behave but also because I couldn't defend a god who would torture or annihilate his very creation that he supposedly loves.
I'm sure there's even more, but these are the first things I could think of.
:HeartThrob: :cloud9:
First I'd like to mention that what I learned - I learned after coming to Tentmaker Forum (and site) is how much people have suffered under the belief and doctrine of 'hell' or 'annihilation'.
I'm a little bit of a hermit. I tried going to church early on but I just couldn't take to it. The attitude it seemed to me, was a spirit of sternness toward the 'unsaved' - so they would know they were sinners, I guess. (Us against them?) But that was not jiving with what I felt was the Lord's outgoing Spirit. Not really ever being 'churched' I never have believed there is a hell. I did wonder about annihilation for a while, but why a second resurrection if so? Why not just let them mercifully remain sleeping? and then too it all becomes a whole wheat and tares kind of thing, and logically the only place that leads is to separation and, well, Hitler..
I'm thankful I never had to deal with the illogic of 'hell'. It's been nice finding out there are other folks who don't buy into any of that either! And there's strength in numbers! Confirmation.
I was referred to Tentmaker as early as in the (late) 90's I believe.. By a person named Paul, but I can't think of his last name. And I always remembered that Tentmaker was a site which believed in the ultimate salvation of all.
I remember wondering how believers who believe in a hell or annihilation, could handle worrying about their loved ones! I guess I could understand how sometimes some believers seem kind of obnoxious, always trying to convert! I mean, why wouldn't you?
I've felt a new depth of joy since talking (typing) U.R. and thinking more about U.R.
I'm becoming more open and able to speak U.R. openly! I used to be in the closet for the most part. On social forum, used to want to be more expressive about U.R. but not wanting to offend any Christian friends or acquaintances. Now I'm not worrying about it. Que sera sera.. (what happens happens..)
It's nice during one's studies to notice U.R. more and more in God's word. Verses I hadn't noticed, others have.
I know we are doubly blessed! A heavenly throw of God's dice, twice.. To know Him and of Him in this life, but also to be blessed to know of U.R. and have it grow fuller and fuller as we go along..
Good list, God is love.
For me, since being made aware of the power of Christ work, I have been personally released from severe bondage.
Depression, negativity, retaliation, hatred are all being dealt with as never before.
Loving others is way deeper than before.
The real definition of love which Christ displayed makes the fleshly attempts just like a little attempted copy; necessary for learning, but way more exciting for potential things to come exceeding our imagination.
Seeing the description of love in 1 Cor 13 as being real is another positive outcome.
Without UR i would not be a Christian. I grew up in church but i never really believed any of it because of eternal hell and turned atheist. Even before atheism I never made an actual effort at having a relationship with God.
I don't fear hell like i did before. After going through demonic attack i can not completely deny it exists but i don't think it's eternal. The experience was terrifying but i came out of it a better person so i do believe God uses it as a tool for refinement.
I went from being afraid of God to loving him now that i have a better understanding of the purpose of evil.
I am a lot more humble now that i have ever been. I used to hold grudges and hate everything and everyone and that is all gone now and i feel much better.
:HeartThrob: Great idea !!! :thumbsup:
I just believe UR is on the right track , I have no doubts Jesus accomplished the salvation to ALL , by His own blood and open work of the Cross
defeating death and opened heaven for all for this was Gods LOVE towards us made known :banana: WHAT HE HAS DONE !!
..and it's awesome to be able to "enter into the promised rest"! (Heb. 4)
to so much more fully appreciate His nature and character.. of more accurately knowing his truest nature.. and sense more fully the fullness of God.. ever more fully realizing He is all love, light and life.. He is all knowing, all seeing and all able..
:banana: :dsunny:
..awesome posts above.. :Peace2: :HeartThrob:
Quote from: marie glen on December 08, 2015, 05:53:34 PM
..and it's awesome to be able to "enter into the promised rest"! (Heb. 4)
to so much more fully appreciate His nature and character.. of more accurately knowing his truest nature.. and sense more fully the fullness of God.. ever more fully realizing He is all love, light and life.. He is all knowing, all seeing and all able..
:banana: :dsunny:
..awesome posts above.. :Peace2: :HeartThrob:
Amen Marie !!!!! :banana: , Knowing God is LOVE /LIFE , though His son Jesus Christ :HeartThrob: was sent from Above PURE LIGHT :dsunny:
The truth of UR hit me like a flash about 5 1/2 years ago and it changed me in a lot of areas. I saw all people as being in the same boat instead of us good ones that God likes and everyone else that He is angry with. It took quite a few years for me to feel like God had accepted me just like I am but still had that feeling that it was because I had overcome enough sin so He loved me. And there was still a twinge of fear over the word 'if' in the bible as in 'if you continue firm to the end' and the only thing I could understand about that was hell for me if I didn't continue. So it was a huge relief to know that my performance didn't enter the picture as far as being loved and cared for by a loving heavenly Father. And that extended to everyone else too and what they need to know is they are loved and totally accepted by that same Father too, and not just after they repent, but now and all the other stuff will be weeded out eventually. It tears me up to read on these threads where someone is struggling with Jesus is loving and nice but God the Father is angry and cruel. After all, it was the Father that loved the whole world and sent His Son to be the savior of the world.
But I'll have to say that some of the love I had for everyone changed to a little bitterness toward 'evangelical christians', stuffy stick in the mud know it alls, looking down their noses at others. See how judgmental I can still be. But it is being worked on and I'll come out of it eventually.
I became somewhat bitter against them,too. Bushy. But that bitterness and unforgiveness is warned against. Freely forgive,as
you were.He who breaks through a hedge will be bitten by a serpent. His commands/words are that protective hedge....we must
not let satan gain an advantage over us through unforgiveness.
...and I'm sure He will bring you through it...........and the serpent went off to wage war against the seed of the woman.....
those who have the testimony of Jesus.
As the truth dawned on me it enabled me to quit being so legalistic. I began to actually believe the things the Spirit of God would speak to me even if they sounded too good to be true (for me that is). It's funny how you can more easily believe God's good intentions for others but not accept the fullness of that love for yourself sometimes.
Since being convinced of His Perfect Plan of U R it has allowed me to rest in his love instead of work for his acceptance. I think that labor to enter into His Rest is really a labor to believe the things He speaks to your heart are really true (for you). When you get really convinced that someone loves you despite your perceived or real faults you can relax and enjoy their company. When you are not fully convinced of their love it's like walking on eggshells (legalism).
That is how U R has affected me. Traditional religion thinks I'm :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:'S
:thumbsup: Awesome He1MyHeart !!!
Great thoughts , You are right , the servant does not know what the Master is doing , but the Son does and when you are friends , you are friends indeed we are learning of Him and His righteousness HE giving rest to our souls !!
"No longer do I call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master does, but I have called you my friends, because all that I have heard from my Father, I have taught you."
...28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden oppressed , and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Amen! so many great thoughts in this thread! too many to snip, copy and paste all (please bear with my compulsive summarizing)
Quote from: He1MyHeart on December 12, 2015, 01:21:13 AM
Since being convinced of His Perfect Plan of U R it has allowed me to rest in his love instead of work for his acceptance.
Amen! I think this sums it up in a nutshell! :thumbsup:
Quote from: He1MyHeart on December 12, 2015, 01:21:13 AM
I think that labor to enter into His Rest is really a labor to believe the things He speaks to your heart are really true (for you). When you get really convinced that someone loves you despite your perceived or real faults you can relax and enjoy their company. When you are not fully convinced of their love it's like walking on eggshells (legalism).
Quote from: rosered on December 12, 2015, 01:30:22 AM
…28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden oppressed , and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Quote from: bushy on December 08, 2015, 09:29:13 PM
The truth of UR hit me like a flash about 5 1/2 years ago and it changed me..
It tears me up to read on these threads where someone is struggling with Jesus is loving and nice but God the Father is angry and cruel. After all, it was the Father that loved the whole world and sent His Son to be the savior of the world.
P.S. - oh! I forgot to post what I came to post :gsmile:
In U.R.I sense a call to worship which cannot be resisted...
UR has renewed my hope for all mankind and has deepened my faith in the Lord. Because of UR, I learned that in due time all darkness will turn to light. There is not much to hope for if we know 99% of mankind is doomed forever. Also UR has helped me to truly love others with different viewpoints and different faiths because I know that they will all see the light when the time is right.
Quote from: Searching_For_The_Truth on December 23, 2015, 02:44:14 AM
UR has renewed my hope for all mankind and has deepened my faith in the Lord. Because of UR, I learned that in due time all darkness will turn to light. There is not much to hope for if we know 99% of mankind is doomed forever. Also UR has helped me to truly love others with different viewpoints and different faiths because I know that they will all see the light when the time is right.
:goodpost:
Thanks for the awesome responses everyone!
Well, maybe I have a bit of a different experience.
For a long time I believed people went to Hell, only if they deliberately chose that......only if they would refuse to accept Christ's sacrifice, in their heart.
My idea of hell was C.S. Lewis's version in The Great Divorce, if anyone is familiar with that.
I was concerned that some of my relatives might be in hell, including my own mother......but I always trusted that God would do the 'right thing' for everyone, and that He loved us all the same.
Believing in UR has not really had a great impact on the way I think. I never saw life as us and them......I had to learn very young to love people who were cruel to me. It taught me forgiveness, only because I had faith at a very young age, and don't ever remember being angry at God.
When I embraced UR, I had a feeling of closure.....it just all made sense to me, like finding the piece of the puzzle you didn't even realize was missing.
It just made sense that if I could love those who were mean to me, how much greater is God, and how much more loving than me.
Of course.......I said. The lost sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son, the God who promised us Everlasting Love. That was Him! He loved us.....always. He wouldn't give up, just like I would never give up on the people who hurt me.
Love never fails. Never. Especially not the love of God, which is not corrupted by this fallen world.
And that was it, basically. It didn't make me different really. I still go to church, pray, read the Bible, try to live so that my life is my mission and my storm is my message. But I felt a peace that I didn't realize could be found.
"God and sinner, reconciled." as the song,' Hark the Herald Angels Sing' says.
The circle is complete. All is restored, the way it was originally meant to be. God's children will belong to Him and Him alone. His final prayer before He left this world.....that we all may be One.
20"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;... John 17: 20 - 22
He wanted us all to be one...no more divisions.
And that, has been my experience. Oh, one other thing.....people used to tell me I should shun some of those people I mentioned. I never believed that was the right thing to do. I understand that sometimes, in this fallen world, we need to let go of some people in our life. I always tried my best, though, to love those who were in my sphere, no matter what. There were times I could succeed and sometimes when I couldn't...with God's grace, of course.......but I always believed in giving it my all to try.
:2c:
D.
This thread always makes me smile.. great post D.! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :HeartThrob:
All such good posts! ..today i also read
Quote from: Searching_For_The_Truth on December 23, 2015, 02:44:14 AM
UR has renewed my hope for all mankind and has deepened my faith in the Lord. Because of UR, I learned that in due time all darkness will turn to light. There is not much to hope for if we know 99% of mankind is doomed forever. Also UR has helped me to truly love others with different viewpoints and different faiths because I know that they will all see the light when the time is right.
:iagree: :banana: ..and free to plant seeds with no need to be pushy, or to panic.. ("be harmless as doves")
Thanks GodIsLove for starting this thread!! I think it is one that really hits the mark for this forum..
Quote from: marie glen on January 07, 2016, 05:47:20 PM
This thread always makes me smile.. great post D.! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :HeartThrob:
All such good posts! ..today i also read
Quote from: Searching_For_The_Truth on December 23, 2015, 02:44:14 AM
UR has renewed my hope for all mankind and has deepened my faith in the Lord. Because of UR, I learned that in due time all darkness will turn to light. There is not much to hope for if we know 99% of mankind is doomed forever. Also UR has helped me to truly love others with different viewpoints and different faiths because I know that they will all see the light when the time is right.
:iagree: :banana: ..and free to plant seeds with no need to be pushy, or to panic.. ("be harmless as doves")
Thanks GodIsLove for starting this thread!! I think it is one that really hits the mark for this forum..
Amen , such an encouraging thread !!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
Its a lot easier to to Love everyone and share the peace of Jesus message when you actually BELIEVE IT in your heart !!! :HeartThrob:
Shod your feet with the gospel of peace... Eph 6
Love one another John 13:34-35 New Living Translation (NLT)
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment:
Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples/students[ and little children , come as a child to Me trusting and ready to learn ]."
Loving your enemies and pray for them Just as Jesus Christ has done for us that was against Himself ...
WOW!!! :dsunny:
Dandelion, great post, I loved hearing your perspective!
Marie, glad this thread uplifted you, it has uplifted me as well!
Rose, yes, Love one another!
Searching and Patinak, yes-- all darkness will turn to light!
I lost tract of this thread and just found it again, it makes me smile :)
Quote from: GodIsLove on January 15, 2016, 04:35:37 AM
Dandelion, great post, I loved hearing your perspective!
Marie, glad this thread uplifted you, it has uplifted me as well!
Rose, yes, Love one another!
Searching and Patinak, yes-- all darkness will turn to light!
I lost tract of this thread and just found it again, it makes me smile :)
:thumbsup: Love hearing what is in your heart too sis !! :HeartThrob:
It has been awhile since I have been on this forum, LOVE hearing about all these changes in everybody's lives .... what was found in me was a new heart ..... one that is merciful to their transgressions and will remember there sins no more
For the Son can only do what He sees the Father do
Amen brothers and sisters ..... I don't even have to ask Him to continue these things in your lives for I know it is and will be accomplished
Amen , good to see you Jugghead :thumbsup:
John 1; 16 The Word Made His Dwelling among Us
...15John testified about Him and cried out, saying,
"This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'"
16For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
17For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ....
Positive changes ?...so many changes...I love Jesus SO much more now..I see Jesus, I see Him now as pure Love..pure compassion...so Good, so truly truly good...my love for Jesus before was tainted and contaminated by the evil doctrine of 'eternal punishment in hell'..whether I believed that eternal punishment was just separation from God forever or actually burning in hell- fire, it really messed me up spiritually..I was at odds inside..half believing God was good but always, in back of my mind, terrified and not fully trusting..for who can truly trust a God who will do such an awful hideous thing as burn precious human beings alive thru all eternity,,never ending ..unceasing ?..or turning His back on people forever ?...separating them from Himself forever ?..it's like I was blind, so very blind...now I KNOW that's a wicked lie and I fall down on my knees every day, sometimes tears streaming..thanking my Lord and my God for his Goodness and Wisdom..knowing He WILL ultimately bring ALL home...bring ALL through...HE truly is that Great....He is not totally dependent on men and women to save other men and women ..He can do it himself...He does it Himself..He will do it Himself and He will get ALL the glory..for He is the Savior of the World.Amen.
Quote from: darryl on January 30, 2016, 02:03:11 AM
Positive changes ?...so many changes...I love Jesus SO much more now..I see Jesus, I see Him now as pure Love..pure compassion...so Good, so truly truly good...my love for Jesus before was tainted and contaminated by the evil doctrine of 'eternal punishment in hell'..whether I believed that eternal punishment was just separation from God forever or actually burning in hell- fire, it really messed me up spiritually..I was at odds inside..half believing God was good but always, in back of my mind, terrified and not fully trusting..for who can truly trust a God who will do such an awful hideous thing as burn precious human beings alive thru all eternity,,never ending ..unceasing ?..or turning His back on people forever ?...separating them from Himself forever ?..it's like I was blind, so very blind...now I KNOW that's a wicked lie and I fall down on my knees every day, sometimes tears streaming..thanking my Lord and my God for his Goodness and Wisdom..knowing He WILL ultimately bring ALL home...bring ALL through...HE truly is that Great...He doesnt need men to save..He is not dependent on men and women to save others ..He does it Himself..He will do it Himself and He will get ALL the glory..for He is the Savior of the World.Amen.
Beautiful! And so true!
And I find that I am able to grow in love and trust in God more and more, as time goes on! More is being shown to us and the momentum is building.
Some other changes I have noticed, another post on here from Rose reminded me...
When I pray with my kids I used to just pray for our family and some close friends. Now- I pray for our family and friends and add "and the whole world"!
When my 3 year old, who is into super heroes, talks about good guys and bad guys I try to teach him that bad guys can turn into good guys, and some day God will accomplish just that :)
Quote from: GodIsLove on January 30, 2016, 02:39:54 AM
Quote from: darryl on January 30, 2016, 02:03:11 AM
Positive changes ?...so many changes...I love Jesus SO much more now..I see Jesus, I see Him now as pure Love..pure compassion...so Good, so truly truly good...my love for Jesus before was tainted and contaminated by the evil doctrine of 'eternal punishment in hell'..whether I believed that eternal punishment was just separation from God forever or actually burning in hell- fire, it really messed me up spiritually..I was at odds inside..half believing God was good but always, in back of my mind, terrified and not fully trusting..for who can truly trust a God who will do such an awful hideous thing as burn precious human beings alive thru all eternity,,never ending ..unceasing ?..or turning His back on people forever ?...separating them from Himself forever ?..it's like I was blind, so very blind...now I KNOW that's a wicked lie and I fall down on my knees every day, sometimes tears streaming..thanking my Lord and my God for his Goodness and Wisdom..knowing He WILL ultimately bring ALL home...bring ALL through...HE truly is that Great...He doesnt need men to save..He is not dependent on men and women to save others ..He does it Himself..He will do it Himself and He will get ALL the glory..for He is the Savior of the World.Amen.
Beautiful! And so true!
And I find that I am able to grow in love and trust in God more and more, as time goes on! More is being shown to us and the momentum is building.
Some other changes I have noticed, another post on here from Rose reminded me...
When I pray with my kids I used to just pray for our family and some close friends. Now- I pray for our family and friends and add "and the whole world"!
When my 3 year old, who is into super heroes, talks about good guys and bad guys I try to teach him that bad guys can turn into good guys, and some day God will accomplish just that :)
Amen !...and you know what !..now I can look deeply into the eyes of another person and see a precious human being and KNOW Jesus loves them..no matter how rebellious and sinful they are...before it was all about separation..separation of the 'other'...'them' against 'me'..'me' against "them'...I was a 'child of God' and they were 'wicked children of the devil' basically 'hated by God' and doomed to 'eternal hell'...I felt I was so 'special'..so much 'better'..oh, how arrogant I was !..how self righteous and prideful !..but I was blind, so very blind...praise God now I can see, I can see Jesus truly loves 'them' as He loves us all and I am a far more loving, gentle, goodhearted, kind and humble because I can now see...hallelujah, praise God. ! :dsunny: :HeartThrob: :banana: :dsunny:
Quote from: GodIsLove on January 30, 2016, 02:39:54 AM
Quote from: darryl on January 30, 2016, 02:03:11 AM
Positive changes ?...so many changes...I love Jesus SO much more now..I see Jesus, I see Him now as pure Love..pure compassion...so Good, so truly truly good...my love for Jesus before was tainted and contaminated by the evil doctrine of 'eternal punishment in hell'..whether I believed that eternal punishment was just separation from God forever or actually burning in hell- fire, it really messed me up spiritually..I was at odds inside..half believing God was good but always, in back of my mind, terrified and not fully trusting..for who can truly trust a God who will do such an awful hideous thing as burn precious human beings alive thru all eternity,,never ending ..unceasing ?..or turning His back on people forever ?...separating them from Himself forever ?..it's like I was blind, so very blind...now I KNOW that's a wicked lie and I fall down on my knees every day, sometimes tears streaming..thanking my Lord and my God for his Goodness and Wisdom..knowing He WILL ultimately bring ALL home...bring ALL through...HE truly is that Great...He doesnt need men to save..He is not dependent on men and women to save others ..He does it Himself..He will do it Himself and He will get ALL the glory..for He is the Savior of the World.Amen.
Beautiful! And so true!
And I find that I am able to grow in love and trust in God more and more, as time goes on! More is being shown to us and the momentum is building.
Some other changes I have noticed, another post on here from Rose reminded me...
When I pray with my kids I used to just pray for our family and some close friends. Now- I pray for our family and friends and add "and the whole world"!
When my 3 year old, who is into super heroes, talks about good guys and bad guys I try to teach him that bad guys can turn into good guys, and some day God will accomplish just that :)
yes !..yes !!..God is good at that...turning 'bad guys' into Good Guys...yes !..your 3 year old is lucky to have such a good Mom who is blessed to know the truth !...Amen. !.
:cloud9: I personally probably have had less of a staggering change from Him showing it to me for 2 reasons, the particular way/scripture He did, and possibly because I was never indoctrinated by anyone, wasn't raised up in the polar opposite and it's accompanying horror stories and trauma that seem to be part and parcel of it.
So for that reason, I guess I consider myself the least of the UR proponents, not because I don't know it to be truth, but because He's never had to lead me out of that particular deep pit. God knows He's had His hands full with plenty of other deep pits with me, so perhaps I got spared this one?
But it warms my heart every time I see a new one come through who has been set free of the lies and is being healed from the damage any lie causes. My :2c: :HeartThrob: Blessings....
Quote from: Cardinal on January 30, 2016, 05:16:25 AM
:cloud9: I personally probably have had less of a staggering change from Him showing it to me for 2 reasons, the particular way/scripture He did, and possibly because I was never indoctrinated by anyone, wasn't raised up in the polar opposite and it's accompanying horror stories and trauma that seem to be part and parcel of it.
But it warms my heart every time I see a new one come through who has been set free of the lies and is being healed from the damage any lie causes. My :2c: :HeartThrob: Blessings....
thank you for your blessings :HeartThrob:..I must say that I wasn't indoctrinated by any particular person to believe in 'eternal separation from God' (I put it like that because I did not always believe God actively 'punished' people in 'hell' ( at one time I believed unrepentant people were annihilated which is still not good ) ..however, the main thing was that I believed one could be forever separated from God, which is bad enough...
it's just a fact that 'eternal hell' or 'eternal separation from God' is a pivotal teaching of the world wide evangelical church..they say that's the reason Jesus came..to save us from God's wrath and 'eternal hell'..so, that's why I basically believed it, as millions of other evangelical Christians still do...because it's either explicitly or implicitly (subtlety ) taught.
I was never raised to believe in 'eternal hell'...my Mom never ever taught me such a thing..and my Dad never did..but the evangelical church did for many years as it does for anybody who attends 'fundamentalist type' or even 'mainline' evangelical churches (I have attended both types in my life ) ..even mainline evangelical churches believe people can be eternally separated from God if they die in their sins in an unrepentant state....
even if the evangelical preachers don't mention 'eternal hell' it's still the backdrop for their teachings about why Jesus came died and rose again..to save us from God's wrath and 'eternal hell'..and I don't know how to change this false belief of the evangelical church..
believing in 'eternal hell' does not always lead to horror and trauma but it can make one feel 'separate' and superior to others...that's the main effect it had on me..made me feel 'separate' from unbelievers and somewhat spiritually 'superior' to them...plus, I was sometimes scared that I might end up in 'eternal hell' or that somebody I loved might which is a form of 'horror and trauma' I suppose.
anyway, enough about me...you're are blessed in some ways that you never got heavily involved with fundamentalist or even mainline evangelical churches and became exposed to the doctrine of 'eternal punishment in hell'.
I'm not saying these churches are all bad as they do much good and I do not regret all the time I spent in that system ( I had some great fellowship there, heard some great sermons and enjoyed all the worship songs etc ) but, as I said, they do believe in 'eternal separation from God' for unrepentant people who die without Christ which can lead to problems if one is a thinking person, a sensitive person, as I am.
By the way, I still attend an evangelical church (albeit a far more 'tolerant' church than the churches I used to attend ) but they do not mention 'eternal hell' much ( hardly at all come to think of it ) and I quite enjoy it there...plus, I know better now not to take talk of 'eternal hell' to heart.
Sorry to ramble on so much.Phew !..trying to explain this stuff by way of text is hard work and gets complicated !.
:cloud9: Well, you know the lie is so pervasive in societies really all over the world and popular culture, it occurs to me now there probably is no way anyone HASN'T been indoctrinated with some version of it, whether aware of it or not.
Apparently it just didn't "take" that well with me. I always believed in God from a small child and I talked to Him from a small child, so maybe I just couldn't reconcile Him as being evil like that. Judgment to the flesh yes, "torturing animals and small children" sort of personage, no. Blessings....
Cardinal,
When you mentioned your faith from a young age it reminded me..
When I was pretty young I felt a connection with God, a very loving accessible God. When I was probably 4-5 or so my mom was explaining heaven to me and she said I told her "we don't go to heaven, our love does" which looking back on it is sort of what I believe again--after the chaff burns our love is what remains, and God is love, so that is the "All in all"
Then I got older and so so any things clouded that simple childlike understanding --- Catholicism, Protestantism, atheism, rebellion, trauma, etc.
It reminds me of:
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
:HeartThrob:
Wow !
You are a blessing Darryl and glad you are here and willing to share what is in your heart ... :HeartThrob:
I am glad to see Becca back to and sharing the goodness of God
When I read your post Daryll , I though of Israel in Jeremiah 24 being sent to Babylon
Now we all have our abilities from the Holy Spirit teaching us different things and in different ways
I have always internalized the WORD OF GOD meaning
VERB (USED WITH OBJECT) [IN·TER·NAL·IZED, IN·TER·NAL·IZ·ING.]
1.
to incorporate (the cultural values, mores, motives, etc., of another or of a group), as through learning, socialization, or identification.
2.
to make subjective or give a subjective character to.
3.
Linguistics. to acquire (a linguistic rule, structure, etc.) as part of one's language competence.
This does describe my experiences well
I have always considered anyone at any time being under the law as Jacob /supplanter and seeing after God dealt with his story being our story too and God changing his name to Israel meaning God prevails
I have always believed when first awakened to the knowledge of God like Becca as a small child and you , but taught by hearing [faith as a small child ]
That there is a God , but my fears were not of God so much as wonderment , God made us curious , I believe on purpose
I saw things as a small child that instilled fear in my being , I saw shadow people '' dark figures '' that moved in the night and believed them to be real , they were real to me
Some could say , that is the vivid imagination of a child to see such things , and was only 5 or 6 and these ''things '' would come near at night to torment
little ones , now my brother and sister saw these too , not just me , this is why I know that there was evil present in the world and in our house and robbing the little ones of rest .
No one can explain this , see it was carnal mindedness that is the enmity/ hatred against the Spirit , we told our parents and they just blew it off as silly childsplay
When the carnal mind has tricks played in it , there is no compensation , no understanding it , and certainly no power over it at all !!!!!!
We were fear driven , scared to go to bed at night and covered myself at night as to not see anything and did not want to be touched by them shardow things that moved in the night and attacked my little brother , literally lifting him out of his bed and thowing him on the floor !!!
there was loud noise and screams and every chaos in the middle of the night and mom and dad poor mom and dad , called it a bad dream and get to sleep its late!! go to bed !!
No one knows the hell / fear /torment in your mind and totally powerless over it ! But this is when I begin to pray as a little child thinking God you are so far away , please come help us , there was at least two one was much taller and almost reached the threshold and I recall its arms reaching out over us and coming for us closer and closer , instilling more fear and torment , so cruel and a smaller one always moving around less threatening but just the presence was scary
Sounds so silly I know , and unbelievable and hate to talk about such things as evil as they are .
but I thank God we got though that and dad got a different job as a journeyman lineman .
I was never so glad to move in my life and when we left that place there was some relief !!!! I do believe God heard our cries and delivered us from that evil , and you know that made us 3 children much tighter throughout our lives having that in common . There was always some strange unexplainable things happening and will not go into them details ... but they do makes believers out of you even at a small age ... and keep you on your guard ..
Back to what started as Israel , I am so sorry don't know what made me go there :sigh:
They were led out of the world / Egypt types and shadows into the wilderness and into captivity and than sent to Babylon , as baskets of figs
figs are the fruit/works [knowledge of good and evil ] bearing from the law of sin and death as a covering , the fig leaves cover of ourselves for sin and not help anyone but whom is covered by them our own fig tree
This is just a crash course of searching out many discoveries when in the Word of God to me that helped to understand the process of being alive in the world but than the law come and being UNDER IT , puts you to work and to death trying to save yourself in Babylon mixing the good and evil being humbled greatly that you cannot save yourself under the law because there is no grace , just works with little faith ,believing in something that is not you but not of God either , but called God but it is the Great Harlot of the earth ..
when the baskets of figs are carried out of Her , they are very good figs and than there are baskets of very bad figs
Jesus gives us this parable of the fig tree as an answer to that question , what has just happened to us ???? :eek:
He also gives us clarity on making the tree good and the fruit good or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt a tree is known by its fruit
What ever happens in the old testament , this is my thoughts, the answers are found in the new testament WITNESS , they do testify of one another perfectly
This is when we get to come to Christ , this judgment seat of Christ to me , and is determining trees , fruits and sheep and goats etc to me in all His parables and plain speech to HIS disciples / students of His Word
It seems we get to walk out the WORD OF GOD in our lives in some way or the other , and when you look at the Word as some other people and some other place and some other time we can get lost in the Word of God and like a man groping in the dark and stumbling over everything in the way cannot find our way to the light switch
This may be way we are to sit and wait on the Lord to come in our darkness to help us enter His glorious kingdom ...
Yes I was like a beggar sitting at the door and knocking and seeking and asking for Holy Spirit help in that hour of need , I could never save myself , so humbled and lost and forsaken and every place I looked Jesus was not there , till He come in the night /darkness and mercy was given .
Some testimony huh? An open book now .
God bless you Daryll , you are my new found brother in the Lord and glad you know you ... love to all :HeartThrob: Rose
Quote from: GodIsLove on January 30, 2016, 01:07:05 PM
Cardinal,
When you mentioned your faith from a young age it reminded me..
When I was pretty young I felt a connection with God, a very loving accessible God. When I was probably 4-5 or so my mom was explaining heaven to me and she said I told her "we don't go to heaven, our love does" which looking back on it is sort of what I believe again--after the chaff burns our love is what remains, and God is love, so that is the "All in all"
Then I got older and so so any things clouded that simple childlike understanding --- Catholicism, Protestantism, atheism, rebellion, trauma, etc.
It reminds me of:
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
:HeartThrob:
Beautiful testimony sis !! :HeartThrob: Love warms us and the vibration of connection seems to grant peace among the living from the dead spiritually speaking .
I was writing all that and when I saw your post , it is true we do connect in JESUS CHRIST BODY as a place of peace and understanding in the Love of GOD etc , as if it was meant to be .
Some say , oh feelings they are just so misleading , you cannot go by your feelings , but I say you have never been touched by God then !,
but I still believe with all my heart that LOVE IS as strong as death and LOVE WILL PREVAIL in the end as GODS WORD AND SPIRIT declare it :HeartThrob:
Quote from: rosered on January 30, 2016, 02:22:17 PM
Some say , oh feelings they are just so misleading , you cannot go by your feelings , but I say you have never been touched by God then !,
I completely agree with this rose ..... when He used the heart and the mind to teach me differences
The mind = that which gives birth to thought (male)
The heart = that which gives birth to feelings (female)
If the two are not working as one in truth, one will always rule over the other
Thoughts have to submit to feelings as much as feelings have to submit to thought, this is a covenant between the two to keep peace
Quote from: jugghead on January 30, 2016, 03:00:58 PM
Quote from: rosered on January 30, 2016, 02:22:17 PM
Some say , oh feelings they are just so misleading , you cannot go by your feelings , but I say you have never been touched by God then !,
I completely agree with this rose ..... when He used the heart and the mind to teach me differences
The mind = that which gives birth to thought (male)
The heart = that which gives birth to feelings (female)
If the two are not working as one in truth, one will always rule over the other
Thoughts have to submit to feelings as much as feelings have to submit to thought, this is a covenant between the two to keep peace
I never thought of it this way before !! awesome !
It does seem to be Love expressed is the HOLY Spirit
The conception of Jesus Christ / Word of God was formed , IN the pure virgin heart /woman / Mary
By the Holy Spirit covering her with favor [Wisdom of God ]
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee,
and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Oh my , this sure gives a whole new meaning to being born again from your mother's womb!!!!!
and being born again from Above and the Christ in you the hope of glory eh ?!
Just as Eve was created from Adam ..... so is a feeling created from a thought .....
Quote from: jugghead on January 30, 2016, 03:26:07 PM
Just as Eve was created from Adam ..... so is a feeling created from a thought .....
:dsunny:
Phil 4 Think on These Things!
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
:HeartThrob:
When the seed (word) from above is planted in a pure heart (good soil) it will always produce Love ..... which in turn gives birth to Life
Just as the Father has a Son ..... Love has a Life ..... a Life in us, the body of Christ
I'm thinking these days, the biggest change I've experienced, even tho I never believed in a hell not being taught by others, but meeting others who believe in His goodness has both mellowed me and given me strength. I'm no longer afraid to admit I believe as I do, to or in front of other believers (which is mostly on the web :laughing7: ).. But the happiest thing is I'm finding I talk to Jesus more throughout the day..
Quote from: jugghead on January 30, 2016, 03:46:16 PM
When the seed (word) from above is planted in a pure heart (good soil) it will always produce Love ..... which in turn gives birth to Life
Just as the Father has a Son ..... Love has a Life ..... a Life in us, the body of Christ
Amen !! that is amazingly said !!!! :banana: wonderful !!!
I thought of Jesus speaking to Nicodemus . telling him [ knowing he was carnally minded still] set on earthly things ..under the law of death .
If you don't believe in the earthly things
How Can I tell you of heavenly things !!!
Wowza!! am thrilled with the Lords mercy and grace this joyful morning :dsunny:
God bless and thank you so much for sharing this :HeartThrob:
Quote from: marie glen on January 30, 2016, 04:07:16 PM
I'm thinking these days, the biggest change I've experienced, even tho I never believed in a hell not being taught by others, but meeting others who believe in His goodness has both mellowed me and given me strength. I'm no longer afraid to admit I believe as I do, to or in front of other believers (which is mostly on the web :laughing7: ).. But the happiest thing is I'm finding I talk to Jesus more throughout the day..
Good morning sister Marie!!! :dsunny:
Amen , Sometimes I just blurt it out GOD is going to save every last one !
Ha ha ! the eyes roll in their heads and they don't want to talk to me any more :sigh:
I do not know if it is best to go that BOLD , yet but when I first found out I could not contain it and lots of rejection and shunning
It is so sad too
Talking to Jesus is the most precious thing ever !! love you always :HeartThrob:
Quote from: GodIsLove on January 30, 2016, 01:07:05 PM
Cardinal,
When you mentioned your faith from a young age it reminded me..
When I was pretty young I felt a connection with God, a very loving accessible God. When I was probably 4-5 or so my mom was explaining heaven to me and she said I told her "we don't go to heaven, our love does" which looking back on it is sort of what I believe again--after the chaff burns our love is what remains, and God is love, so that is the "All in all"
Then I got older and so so any things clouded that simple childlike understanding --- Catholicism, Protestantism, atheism, rebellion, trauma, etc.
It reminds me of:
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
:HeartThrob:
:cloud9: It's so true and that came to my mind last night when I was posting this. The children should be teaching the adults about God instead of the other way around, lol......think what a different world we would live in if they did.
I remember hearing Him calling my name. I was outside in the country, no one around me. I was about 7 or 8. It was so plain I ran down my parents, the neighbors (too far away anyway, but I wasn't thinking that one through) to see if they had called me. No one had.
I had one girlfriend of distant relation whose family were Christian and Spirit filled at that. I told her about it days later, and to my surprise she popped out with, "That was God. Did you answer Him? You should have said, here I am, Lord!"
I was clueless and I felt such a sense of loss that I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I went back to the exact spot I heard Him and did what she said, but I never heard anything else, until He spoke to me in a dream 2 years later, but I was 29 before I knew who it was who had spoken to me in the dream. He does such amazing things, and I wonder now if we ask all the little ones when they are little about seeing angels, hearing God, ect., we might be shocked to hear their answers. It's only when we're rebellious teens and up and I think there's any real disconnect. At least that's when it happened to me and for sure, my kids.
And then isn't it a shame the stuff we have to go through to get us right back where we were at 5? Geez.....the years I know I wasted. Good stuff to think about this morning with my coffee, though.....thanks :HeartThrob: Blessings....
Quote from: jugghead on January 30, 2016, 03:00:58 PM
Quote from: rosered on January 30, 2016, 02:22:17 PM
Some say , oh feelings they are just so misleading , you cannot go by your feelings , but I say you have never been touched by God then !,
I completely agree with this rose ..... when He used the heart and the mind to teach me differences
The mind = that which gives birth to thought (male)
The heart = that which gives birth to feelings (female)
If the two are not working as one in truth, one will always rule over the other
Thoughts have to submit to feelings as much as feelings have to submit to thought, this is a covenant between the two to keep peace
:cloud9: Thanks so much for this. I have to process this to get it to "click" into place with what He's given me along these lines to receive it as life, but I know Truth when I hear it. When this bears fruit, I'll come back to this thread and share what this multiplied. Ain't it good to know the Lord this morning guys? I think we need a breakfast club on here. Who's bringing the coffee tomorrow? :winkgrin:
Quote from: Cardinal on January 30, 2016, 05:47:31 PM
Quote from: jugghead on January 30, 2016, 03:00:58 PM
Quote from: rosered on January 30, 2016, 02:22:17 PM
Some say , oh feelings they are just so misleading , you cannot go by your feelings , but I say you have never been touched by God then !,
I completely agree with this rose ..... when He used the heart and the mind to teach me differences
The mind = that which gives birth to thought (male)
The heart = that which gives birth to feelings (female)
If the two are not working as one in truth, one will always rule over the other
Thoughts have to submit to feelings as much as feelings have to submit to thought, this is a covenant between the two to keep peace
:cloud9: Thanks so much for this. I have to process this to get it to "click" into place with what He's given me along these lines to receive it as life, but I know Truth when I hear it. When this bears fruit, I'll come back to this thread and share what this multiplied. Ain't it good to know the Lord this morning guys? I think we need a breakfast club on here. Who's bringing the coffee tomorrow? :winkgrin:
LOL always refreshed in the mornings been up since 3;30 and a pot is already gone ! But so glad you see you posting and doing better than you were !
Now stay out of that old hospital Becca!! :dsunny:
Our Hope in the Lord is to be healed body soul and Spirit , as we should want this for all , :HeartThrob:
Quote from: jugghead on January 30, 2016, 03:26:07 PM
Just as Eve was created from Adam ..... so is a feeling created from a thought .....
:dsunny: Love this! So short a saying holding an abundance of truth! Thanks-Jugghead :HeartThrob: