As a 23 year old man, I have the strongest desire in my life than ever before to spread the good news but Im just not sure how I can get through to people when so many people in this world have hardened hearts.

I want everyone to know and understand that the love that Jesus Christ offers is something every soul not just wants, but needs. We need Jesus just as much as our lungs need air to breathe. But most people I talk to just don’t comprehend or understand that.

He has changed my life and is continuing to mold me into the person I need to be. He gives a peace the world can’t give to us.

Satan is deceiving so many every single day in this chaotic world and it makes my soul sad to see other souls lost. I want as many people to know that their true spiritual peace can be found in the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Jesus Christ is the name above all names and Im proud to say it!

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father (and the Son),
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

If you disagree with any of it, then how is it the defining line in the sand of whether you are a Christian or not? I ask this because, by necessity, some denomination have to reject the last paragraph.

There is still a battle that we must overcome in this life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, our strength in victory so that we may inherit the promise.

If perseverance of the saints were true, the New Testament authors and Christ himself didnt get the memo. Here is the truth laid bare.

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

— Revelation 2:4–5

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

19 I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”

— Revelation 2:18–23

Hence why Christ warns genuine believers to return to their proper state of being if perseverance of the saints were true; how is it possible that these beleivers abandoned the faith they had at first?

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise.” — Hebrews 10:36

Again, why are belivers being told they have need of endurance if faith necessarily produces endurance?

2 Peter 1:5–10 — “make every effort,” “be diligent”

Why make every effort if the faith you expressed at first was the end-all, be-all?

1 Peter 5:8–9:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11

Why is Satan still presented as a genuine threat to believers? If indeed perseverance of the saints were true, this would be nonsensical.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…”

— 1 Timothy 6:12

What is there to fight for or take hold of? It's already been done, as they say...

7 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

— Galatians 6:7–9

There is clearly a sense in which giving up is a real possibility in Paul's mind; this is incompatible with the doctrine of perseverance of the saints. Furthermore, Paul warns the belivers not to sow to the flesh, which shouldn't be possible under this framework.

These verses only scratch the surface; there are hundreds of verses that directly fly in the face of this doctrine, and I'd wish Christians would start to take the scriptures seriously and revolt agaisnt the false doctrines that infiltrated and seduced the Churches.

So I’ve been feeling more and more lately that the divide between Catholics and Protestants isn’t as wide as I thought. One of my closest friends is Catholic and he’s given me a lot of really great insight into what Catholics believe and practice. I agree with a lot of the things he brings up if I’m being honest. I’ve grown up non denominational and was also told that Catholics have strange practices that don’t line up with scripture. From a distance I can understand why someone would say that, but once I had a handful of great conversations with my friend, I slowly started to realize we are a lot closer than I once thought. For example, (I’m giving a very rough summary of these ideas I know they get a lot more complex) Catholics believe it’s faith and good works that get you to heaven, Protestants believe good works is the result of your faith and your faith gets you to heaven. In both school of thought it’s faith, work and salvation all linked together, we just have different ways of phrasing it. I’ve been going to a catholic mass for the past several months and prior to that I was going to a non denomination, I love both of them and feel they both have areas that really shine. Does anyone else feel this way? Also I feel like my orthodox brothers and sisters probably have a lot of the same beliefs that’s I hold I just didn’t speak on that side because I frankly don’t know a lot about it yet.

In the night before this day I prayed for our lord to give me peace, I asked him when I go out to meet someone I have feeling to him to show me the way , I cry for , if he is the one keep him god and if he is an evil take him away , the date was horrible when I get to home I cried more because it was bad and pray again before one hour they call me that he didn't want me and we are not gonna work together I thanked him but say that I'm sad that we are not together, now I remembered that the 🙏 prayers I said was indeed, glory to the lord he listens and make me an answer I'm sad but I'm happy with him work with me , I love you Jesus 🖤✝️

I recently lost something important im a huge clutz but I went out of my way to really make sure this never happened and so honestly one of my first thoughts was to pray to find it lol. in my situation in particular I’ve already got a huge situation with god and I’m already so far so in comparison it’s minuscule but I still do pray I find it.

Im just wondering do other people do that? And even though im on thin ice with god right now with my situation could I maybe pray about it?

So I’ve been talking to this great guy for the last few weeks. He’s caring, emotionally mature, handsome, so sweet, he always makes me feel good about myself and so much more. We instantly connected the moment we met. I prayed to God to speak to me about if he is someone I should pursue and I feel like God has given me multiple signs to go for it however I recently found out the guy I like doesn’t believe in God. I don’t even know if this is right subreddit to post in (sorry to the mods if this is the wrong one) or if there is a Christian relationship subreddit I should be posting in either way I don’t know what to do.

Edit(I realized I should’ve added this up here and not at the bottom) : Okay you all have made valid points and yes being equally yoked is extremely important I guess I’m just a little disappointed. He seems like such a great guy and he’s been very understanding of me refraining from sex until marriage, he respects my beliefs etc but like I said the disappointment is there. I was hoping this relationship would be different and what’s crazy is that I wasn’t even looking for a relationship but we met each other, started talking and we instantly clicked. I asked him about going to church with me one day and he basically told me that he wouldn’t. I couldn’t really ask about it, it was late we both were tired so we just said our goodnights and went to bed. I want to talk about it more with him today but I’m not sure how to go about it.

I asked Jesus to save me on nov 20, 2010. I've had a lot of ups and downs in my walk with Christ Jesus, all my own fault. I'm just worried of being one of the ones that Jesus turns away after they say that they did works in His name. I repost a lot of christian reels on instagram hoping that it'll touch the heart of one of my followers. Would that be considered fruit?

It is so hard to find genuine friends in general when you are already older (I’m 29F) it seems, but especially Christian ones.
Most people do not seem to know how to communicate and reciprocate a genuine connection, at least the way I’d like.

Is there something wrong with me? Are my “standards” too high. I have been told I’m too picky before. 😭 though I feel it is the bare minimum.

I feel like I just have such a short fuse now with others. Once someone starts to consistently not acknowledge me or what I’m saying, I just don’t want to partake anymore.
I lose interest quickly.
It has happened so much now where I’m not given the same that I’m giving within a friendship or relationship that I’m just over it. I do trust God with it though… is anyone else experiencing this 😭

Heyyy!!! I'm a boy.. 19 years old and I'm new into christianity. I'm was a complete atheïst, but now I'm reading the bible I pray etc, but I find it difficult.. can you help me?

I feel just... empty,stressed, not hungry,ignored, left out, alone and not excepted in this world and I want to find God really bad.. can anyone help me please??

I got saved a little over 1 year ago but have neglected reading my Bible tbh.

I’ve struggled with cptsd, ocd, depression, self hatred and anxiety disorder all my life and I’m in a really dark place right now.

God has blessed me with a wonderful, loving husband but my mental illness makes it hard for me to fully commit. I‘m scared to my core of hurting or disappointing him and I think about leaving because of this.

I started grabbing my Bible more often and I actually want to stick to reading and journaling daily. It’s actually my last straw tbh since therapy and medication haven’t done too much for me.

Has it helped you with mental illness and general life quality? Do you have any tips on how specifically you’ve journaled? I was thinking about a gratitude type journal. And just writing down Bible verses that give me hope.

I really hope there is light

​

Hi, ive been getting into faith for a little over a year. It started with praying, then going to church and finally learning a rosary. I went to confession like 2 weeks aho for the first time ever. I was in there for over an hour and it was so wonderful. I also thought abt it more and more and reflected and thought that i wasnt so bad in sinning after all, that i didnz sin at all and that i was practically perfect...well, i think god wants to give me a sign and strike me down bc ive been rlly struggling to pray and stay away from sin.

I also noticed how i purposefully choose the "easy" way by just sinning and thinking: i dont care, god isnt real anyways, why should i restrict myself. It scares me and i want to get away from that mindset as quickly as possible bc i was in such a good place mentally after confession and i felt so joyful and healed and close to god...maybe with a bit too much pride.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Or does anyone know how to deal with this? Thank u so much for reading this, i know it might be weird and too personal but i rlly needed a place to finally speak my mind.

I was wrongfully terminated in December for requesting religious accommodation for Sabbath. I'm attempting to go through the EEOC for all of that, but it's getting nowhere. I still haven't been able to secure a full time job and we're barely making it week to week. I go for interviews, but all employers want me to work a schedule that'd violate Sabbath. We observe the Sabbath on Saturdays. What jobs do you guys have that accommodate the practice?

In James it states if you don’t know what to do and you need wisdom; ask and it will be given to you if you actually believe it will.

I am so incredibly frustrated with God lately. I have been feeling so irritable, cold and angry with people. I can’t pin down why. I wish the Lord would just show me what is causing it so I can work on it.

So a while back I was attending a retreat for Christian and one of the Catholic priest was talking to us.

And the story he told us was this (paraphrasing it):

A pastor, who rejected Catholicism passed away. When his soul reached heaven Mary came down to hug him and welcome him. And the pastor asked why she was hugging him when he lived his life telling others not to venerate her.

She replied : because the pastor loved her son above everything else.

I have seen so many members of the Christian community divided among themselves and trying to argue who is the real Christian.

If you are more worried about whether your faith is the real way then aren't you just being performative.

It really doesn't matter whether you are a Catholic, protestant or orthodox.

As long as you believe Jesus Christ is the only saviour and you follow the two commandments that have been given to you, which are (love God above everything and love everyone else as much as yourself). It's simple but difficult commandment. Something we all struggle with. Because to love God and others we must be able to let go of the things that make you part of society.

I genuinely have NO CLUE what to do with my life. I’ve been bedridden for the last 2 years due to knee injuries I’m 25 y/o. I’d stopped going to school at 20 because I didn’t like anything so I worked a job till I got injured and sidelined. My family loves me and helps me my friends love me and help me. I used this time to dive deeper into God/Jesus and stop my vices and major sins and self reflection. Lust/pornography was my greatest vice I thought once stopping that God would reward me with direction or the purpose for my life. I’ve stopped viewing porn and masturbating for 2 months now thanks to God and I feel my brain and soul healing literally. I stopped praying and reading the word. My main prayer for the last 5 years has been for real direction. I’m not lazy at all there hasn’t been a goal I set before that I’ve never achieved in my life whether it be fitness or saving money whatever I set my mind to I accomplish. It all feels a bit hopeless these days. I’ve struggled with accepting myself for balding young as well seeing all my friends with their long hair and freedom to do hairstyles they like I never got the chance to. I don’t know why I stopped praying and reading I think God hasn’t answered me in the ways I need and I don’t want to pretend I’m okay with that but this choice isn’t helping. I try to sin less instead of be sinless. I can’t pursue a career I don’t truly enjoy or have a passion for Ik myself enough to know it’ll lead to depression regardless of $$$ earned. At one point in time self-death was the best option my brain had for me but I persevered & looking back it was probably demons I opened myself to. Like I just want to apply myself in something fulfilling and paying how is that too much to ask from God to show me even the starting point? I feel like I’m wasting so much time and I haven’t enjoyed my 20s since 22. I see everyone my age traveling,dating, living life while I can’t even work much less walk. Spend a disgusting amount of time on my phone seeing content about God mainly amongst other things but at a point in time I enjoyed making content online till I got bald and started hating my existence- I don’t hate myself anymore but I don’t love myself. The thoughts were crazy tonight reminiscent of previous nights of turmoil I had to write this somewhere. Thank you if you read this and leave a comment on how I can proceed forward.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (KJV)

Jesus never promised His followers an easy life.

He never said that following Him would eliminate disappointment.

He never promised that people wouldn't hurt us, finances would always work out, relationships would never become difficult, or painful seasons wouldn't come.

In fact, Jesus told His disciples exactly the opposite:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation.”

Not might.

Shall.

Trouble is part of living in a fallen world.

But thankfully, Jesus didn't end the sentence there.

He continued:

“But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

That's where Christian hope begins.

Jesus Didn't Hide the Reality of Suffering Sometimes we mistakenly believe that if we're walking closely enough with God, everything should start becoming easier.

But Scripture doesn't teach that.

Jesus prepared His disciples for hardship.

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18 (KJV)

The apostles experienced rejection, persecution, imprisonment, loss, and suffering.

Following Jesus doesn't mean avoiding every storm.

It means discovering who is with you in the storm.

Christianity isn't God's promise that nothing difficult will happen.

It's the assurance that our difficulties do not have the final word.

Jesus does.

“Be of Good Cheer” Doesn't Mean Pretending It Doesn't Hurt When Jesus says, “be of good cheer,” He isn't telling us to pretend suffering isn't painful.

Christian joy isn't denial.

There are times to grieve.

There are times to cry.

There are times when life genuinely hurts.

Jesus Himself wept.

But pain doesn't have to become the ruler of our hearts.

Our circumstances may affect our emotions, but they don't have to become the foundation of our hope.

That's why Jesus begins John 16:33 by saying:

“...that in me ye might have peace.”

Notice where peace is found.

Not in circumstances.

Not in people.

Not in money.

Not in everything going according to plan.

“In me.”

Our peace is found in Christ.

Who Are You Becoming While You're Going Through It? Sometimes we're so focused on asking God to change our circumstances that we never stop to ask what is happening inside us while we're waiting.

It's easy to say:

“You don't understand what I'm going through.”

And perhaps the person standing in front of you doesn't.

But suffering doesn't give us permission to become cruel.

Pain doesn't justify treating people poorly.

Disappointment doesn't give us permission to live in bitterness.

Trials don't excuse abandoning our walk with Christ.

So perhaps alongside:

“Lord, when will You change this?”

we should sometimes pray:

“Lord, what are You producing in me through this?”

James writes:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2–3 (KJV)

The trial may be doing something we cannot immediately see.

Don't Let Trouble Turn Into Bitterness Hardship can expose things already living beneath the surface.

Fear.

Anger.

Pride.

Impatience.

Self-reliance.

Bitterness.

And when those things surface, we have a choice.

We can feed them.

Or we can bring them to Christ.

Hebrews warns:

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you...” Hebrews 12:15 (KJV)

Be careful what takes root during difficult seasons.

What happened to you matters.

But so does what is happening within you.

Don't allow somebody else's sin to become an excuse for your own.

Don't allow disappointment to convince you that God has abandoned you.

Don't allow suffering to slowly harden your heart toward Christ.

Bring the hurt to Him.

Your Joy Has a Stronger Foundation Why can Jesus tell suffering disciples to be of good cheer?

He gives the answer:

“I have overcome the world.”

That's the foundation.

Christian joy isn't:

“Everything is going wonderfully.”

It's:

“Jesus has overcome.”

Christian peace isn't:

“Nothing bad can happen to me.”

It's:

“Whatever happens, I belong to Christ.”

Christian hope isn't:

“My life will eventually unfold exactly how I planned.”

It's:

“My Savior has conquered, and my future is secure in Him.”

That's a peace circumstances cannot manufacture and circumstances cannot ultimately destroy.

The Cross Looked Like Defeat When Jesus spoke the words of John 16:33, the cross was approaching.

Soon His disciples would watch Him be arrested.

Beaten.

Mocked.

Crucified.

Killed.

From their perspective, it would appear that everything had gone terribly wrong.

But the cross wasn't the defeat of Jesus.

It was part of His victory.

Jesus willingly gave His life.

And three days later, He rose from the grave.

That's why our confidence isn't wishful thinking.

Our hope is anchored in our risen Savior.

The Gospel: Jesus Has Overcome The greatest trouble humanity faces isn't financial hardship, broken relationships, sickness, disappointment, or difficult circumstances.

Our greatest problem is sin.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 (KJV)

Every one of us has sinned against a holy God.

And sin has consequences.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (KJV)

We couldn't rescue ourselves.

Good works couldn't erase our guilt.

Religion couldn't make us righteous.

So God came to us.

Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, lived the righteous life we could never live.

Then:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Jesus took our sins upon Himself at the cross.

He died.

He was buried.

And on the third day, He rose again.

He conquered sin and death.

And salvation is offered to everyone who turns to Him in repentance and faith.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9 (KJV)

This is why Jesus can say:

“I have overcome the world.”

Our hope isn't that we'll somehow become strong enough to overcome everything ourselves.

Our hope is in the One who has already overcome.

A Call to Repentance Maybe suffering has been revealing something in your heart.

Maybe you've become bitter.

Maybe you've been taking your frustration out on everyone around you.

Maybe disappointment has caused you to distance yourself from God.

Maybe you've been trusting your circumstances more than Christ.

Bring it to Him.

Repentance doesn't mean pretending your pain isn't real.

It means refusing to allow your pain to become permission for sin.

Tell God the truth.

“Lord, this hurts.”

“Lord, I'm angry.”

“Lord, I'm disappointed.”

“Lord, I'm struggling.”

And then surrender it.

Ask Him to keep your heart tender.

Ask Him to help you forgive.

Ask Him to produce patience.

Ask Him to keep you faithful.

Ask Him to make you more like Christ even here.

Don't Waste the Trial Maybe the question isn't only:

“How do I get out of this?”

Maybe another question is:

“Who am I becoming while I'm in this?”

Is the trial pushing you toward Jesus or away from Him?

Is it producing greater dependence upon God?

Is it teaching you to pray?

Is it revealing where you've been placing your security?

Is it exposing something that needs to be surrendered?

Don't assume every hardship was specifically sent by God to teach you a lesson. We live in a broken world, and suffering has many causes.

But whatever its cause, God can meet you in it and work through it.

Conclusion: The Trouble Is Real, But So Is Jesus You may be walking through something difficult right now.

Don't minimize it.

Don't pretend it doesn't hurt.

But don't give your trouble more authority than your Savior.

Your finances may change.

People may disappoint you.

Plans may collapse.

Doors may close.

There may be seasons you never expected to walk through.

Jesus already told us:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation.”

But don't stop reading there.

“...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (KJV)

The trouble is real.

But so is Jesus.

The pain is real.

But so is His grace.

The trial is real.

But so is His peace.

The battle is real.

But so is His victory.

Don't let what you're going through determine who you're becoming. Keep your eyes on Christ. Keep walking with Him. Keep trusting Him. And when the world gives you trouble, remember: your Savior has already overcome the world.

Why do people post things in r/TrueChristian seem designed to damage other people's faith in God or start arguments? Maybe the community reinforces their beliefs. For me, seeing these posts makes me feel hopeless and makes salvation seem extremely difficult or impossible, while the people making those posts seem to think they're spiritually ‘in the good.

It’s one of the most predictable institutional self-inflicted wounds in modern church historyand nowhere is it clearer than in Mainline Protestantism and liberal Anglicanism:

​The Strategy: "If we update our theology, ditch counter-cultural doctrines, and align perfectly with secular ethics, young people will flock through our doors."

​The Reality: Empty pews, an average congregation age pushing 70, and rapid demographic collapse across the Episcopal Church, PCUSA, and the Church of England.

​The fundamental flaw in the Mainline and liberal Anglican approach was assuming people were avoiding church because Christian orthodoxy was too distinct from the surrounding culture. In reality, people avoid dead churches because they offer nothing distinct from the culture.

From the Imitation of Christ

(Lib. 3, 14)

The truth of the Lord endures for ever

You thunder your judgments upon me, O Lord; you shake all my bones with fear and dread, and my soul becomes severely frightened. I am bewildered when I realize that even the heavens are not pure in your sight.

If you discovered iniquity in the angels and did not spare them, what will become of me? The stars fell from heaven, and I, mere dust, what should I expect? Those whose works seemed praiseworthy fell to the depths, and I have seen those who once were fed with the bread of angels delighting in the husks of swine.

There is no holiness where you have withdrawn your hand, O Lord; no profitable wisdom if you cease to rule over it; no helpful strength if you cease to preserve it. For if you forsake us, we sink and perish; but if you visit us, we rise up and live again. We are unstable, but you make us firm; we grow cool, but you inflame us.

All superficial glory has been swallowed up in the depths of your judgment upon me.

What is all flesh in your sight? Can the clay be glorified in opposition to its Maker?

How can anyone be aroused by empty talk if his heart is subject in the truth to God?

The whole world cannot swell with pride the man who is subject to truth; nor will he be swayed by the flattery of all his admirers, if he has established all his trust in God.

For those who do all the talking amount to nothing; they fail with their din of words, but the truth of the Lord endures for ever.

RESPONSORY

Psalm 119:114-115, 113

Lord, you are my refuge and my shield;

I hope in your word.

— Go away from me, you evildoers,

and I will observe the commandments of my God.

I hate a divided heart;

I love your law.

— Go away from me, you evildoers,

and I will observe the commandments of my God.

Habakkuk 1:1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

as the above states, i'm 31, and was saved at 20. i've been saved for a little over 10 years, and have started to experience pandemonium. i didn't ask for it, neither do I want it, but it happens from time to time. my worst fears warped into characters independent of hell, ready to take me there, mentally, and spiritually, (and physically, if they could).

i use google to ask questions. i don't have a spiritual counselor. i don't want one either. 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. though, i'm open. these people are human too, like me, so i’d rather my own research, at the moment, but am open to council.

i was watching a dance video, and I heard through it that I would be killed. there was feeling accompanied, and with voice, it felt like 4d murder. but, going back to the verse in habakkuk, it makes sense, like:

Habakkuk 1:5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. 7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. 8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. 9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. 10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it. 11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.

i trust jesus, as lord and savior, and don't believe this is real, that it's all in my mind. i get bad dreams. i get intense, racy thoughts, but there are boundaries and limits, and there's respect; i don't feel God much, but i still believe, and trust, and obey.

the thoughts said, your brother, he is god. they say, we killed you physically; you're in hell. they say, you're in hades. your spirit is gone, as is your soul. but, i believe otherwise. Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

i believe scripture, and trust the cross. i trust jesus understands, and can relate. it's been about a year and a half i've been going through what i've been going through. i've heard, there are no women in hell, and, n-words only.

characters arise, which stand out, many looking like celebrities i recognize. it's not a familiar spirit, but I can recall them all, one by one. it's only been a year or so. it's been said, “receive 10,000,000 more (in you)!" but, Psalm 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

it's been said, your body is your brother's! yet, 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? and, satan is omnipotent! but, again, scripture says otherwise. it's been said, outside, near where you live, is the worst neighborhood, (dangerous!), spiritually! yet, Ezekiel 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. and, you're fired! from work, but, not true. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

everything else is a repeat of the above. i leave this post with this poem i wrote, explaining myself:

ethereal,

more than real,

is God, the Word,

zeal, not belial,

or beelzebub.

a light bulb goes

off, i'm delivered,

like lot. Revelation

12:2 And she being

with child cried, travailing

in birth, and pained to be

delivered. Revelation 12:5

And she brought forth a man

child. but, i'm brandon, like a

book of the bible. no wife, just

life, lived true, truly. truly, truly,

i say unto you, ethereal, really.

realer, than a realtor, realizing,

this realm reassures reality. man,

in a throne, pregnant woman, gorilla,

this poem, (shaped); george washington,

abraham lincoln, benjamin franklin, the

founding fathers, authors, scholars, one

and all, the same, like doctors, of today,

proctors, practical, while i summersault.

salt, of the earth, world, turning, 1000 mph.

dizzy, in circles, purple, a whirlpool, tsunami,

rivers, ponds, and lakes, streams of water,

gargantuan, hot, summer, beaming, scorching,

like gunther, the hunter, Psalm 145:5 I will speak

of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy

wondrous works. Egypt: they said, there are

places other than hell, like henn! (whatever

that means). i'm him. in. dark dim. tree of life

stem, pride dwindle when i arise, then. dreidel,

spin, like a tornado; sin, cradle them, nato, end.

they said, he's pregnant, in gehenna! yet, Isaiah

21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs

have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a

woman that travaileth: Lamentations 1:1 How 

doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people 

how is she become as a widow she that was was 

great among the nations, and princess among the 

provinces, how is she become tributary 2 She 

weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on 

her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none 

to comfort her: all her friends have dealt 

treacherously with her, they are become her 

enemies. 12 Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass 

by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like 

unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, 

wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day 

of his fierce anger. 13 From above hath he sent 

fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: 

he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned 

me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all 

the day. i digress, and rest, confessing, blessed.

direct, imperfect, perfect direction, perplexing, yes.

can you relate? (can you relate to the prophets, and what the lord puts people through, to draw nearer to Him, in His presence?)

I've been trying to submit and follow God's plan lately and I've asked him to prepare me and ready me for whatever the next season will bring, which I'm not certain will be pretty, actually kinda the opposite. Maybe it's my caffeine intake or something, but I feel really emotionally downcast at the moment. Could this be God preparing for the future being filled with pain and him teaching me how to deal with it?

I need counsel please. I dont want to write an essay on how I ended up in the trenches. Recently I got close to God again and its only gotten harder. I'm at my wits end. I am jobless, late on rent, stuck really and I have been hoping and trusting for so much. I need a word, encouragement or something I started fighting with him and leaving only to apologise and seek his presence right after. If you have any questions I will answer

Hello all,

A recent question (and form of doubt) I've been struggling with recently as a Christian is on why God created everything in the particular form it takes. This is not necessarily replicating the question of why we have evil and suffering, but why evil and suffering go to the levels that they do. For example, God could've allowed free will and its consequences of evil to be far less painful upon humans and animals than he did, but he made it so. The question "why does God allow kids to have cancer" doesn't necessarily challenge why evil/suffering exists alongside God, but moreso why God made such suffering exist in the first place, when so many other forms of suffering, many of which are far less painful, exist, and can enable equal growth in his creation, equal growth in us. We experience evil when someone steals from us or lies to us, we experience suffering when a child we know we know dies from illness or a natural disaster, and yet, God created a magnitude to those forms of evil and suffering - why DOES the illness of the child cause unfathomable pain when it didn't need to, why DOES the natural disaster, such as a tsunami or earthquake, have the magnitude it has? Why did God design everything in the way it is, when he could've done so much more, yes, but could've also done done so much less.

It's hard for me to articulate this question, so I hope it makes sense, but please let me know if it doesn't.

Thank you, and as always, God bless and keep you all.

I've been a "Christian" all my life and while I think deep down I believe, at least to an extent, there's this disconnect between me and God and the Christian life that has been there always as well. This past year I've been searching for God or a sense of understanding and peace but no matter what I've tried, I don't feel even remotely close to connecting. I've maintained some bad habits but I have tried to repent but that never works. I've tried surrender and praying for true surrender but that hasn't happened either. Every day I'm stressed about something to the point it makes me depressed and I turn away from God even more. I've asked God for solutions and help but I feel I'm in the desert. I heard someone tell me my lack of peace and progress comes from the fact I'm not Born Again. If this is true, how can I become Born Again truly so I can finally find peace and surrender in my life?