first off- if you are in here to mock me, please stay out of this one because i am trying to ask some fellow believers for help.
i just had my first experience today where i feel like i denied God. I trust in Him and love him and believe fully, but i did not have the strength today to stand up for him and that made me really scared of what is to come in my life and in the world- i do believe this world is getting very close to its end and i'm petrified. if you know of anything that has helped you or some1 else get the strength to stand up for God, please let me know. What has helped you? i am at the point where i can accept God's forgiveness, but i want to get myself ready for next time. Please pray for me and answer my question on here of what may be able to help me.
2006-10-04 16:02:56 · 30 answers · asked by E 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i know i'm forgiven. I know Peter denied him three times and went to be used to save a BUNCH of people, but I'm not sure if i have the strength to listen to God all the time. Last night (when i wrote this), i was in a deep mood (i struggle with a depression thing that i'm not sure what it is), but being in that mood makes me feel insecure and scared and most of all powerless- i think i may just need a verse to remember in those times....does any1 know any they remember?
2006-10-04 23:40:41 · update #1
Service With Strength
Colossians 1:10-12
Ministry isn’t something we do, but rather, it is something God does through us. So much fatigue and failure could be avoided if believers remembered that He is the source of strength. We serve Him using Spirit-provided resources. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass,” promises the Word (1 Thessalonians 5:24). This means that the Lord assumes responsibility for enabling His children to carry out whatever work He calls them to do.
The Savior exemplifies this principle — He also did His earthly work through divine power. Upon His return from the wilderness, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, and He came preaching a Gospel of repentance. Here is what He said of Himself: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works” (John 14:10).
As co-heirs with Christ, believers are entitled to access that same spiritual strength. What a comfort to know that a divinely ordained ministry is not in our hands alone! Some other person may be able to do the work better or offer wider experience, but God does not look for servants who are gifted. He instead seeks out those willing to live in His strength. If we have done all we can through the power of the Holy Spirit, then we never have to wonder if we have done enough.
Are you discouraged? Tired? Ready to give up? God is ready to restore you to joyful service if you will simply ask Him to do His work through you.
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The Need for Increased Faith
Luke 17:1-6
This passage gives a wonderful exchange between Jesus and His disciples. The Lord made two statements that completely shocked His disciples. In response, they offered only one exclamation: "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5) What were the two things that demanded a greater level of personal faithfulness?
First, Jesus warned them that hardships would surely come. In this life, there is no escape from the sorrows of the world. As new believers, many people are shocked to discover that faith in Christ does not eradicate all of the adversity in their lives. Jesus never guaranteed a trouble-free life; in fact, He promised just the opposite. (John 16:33) Committed Christians, therefore, are certain to experience heartaches and disappointments at various times.
Second, Jesus commands total willingness to forgive others: "If your brother . . . repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him" (Luke 17:3-4).
The "seven times a day" language is an illustration of persistent forgiveness. It is the model by which all believers should live their lives. Christ's forgiveness is limitless. As His followers, who are indwelt by His Spirit, we should strive for that same level of grace in our interactions with others.
Hearing these high ideals, the disciples could make no other comment than "Increase our faith!" They knew the Christian life was beyond their own power; therefore, they asked Jesus to empower them to meet His standard
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2006-10-04 16:08:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
As a pastor, I can assure you that all of us have times when we feel we have failed this kind of test. Be clear in your own mind about your standards of right and wrong and personal integrity. Get a solid grounding in the Bible because that will help you know whether you have acgtually denied God or need to ask His forgiveness. Spend a lot of time in prayer, since that will keep you in close fellowship with God, through Jesus Christ. Through prayer, Bible reading, and cultivating close friendships with other Christians, your strength will grow. At times, the cost of remaining true to your faith may seem costly, but nothing is worth denying your belief in Christ. Read Daniel 3, especially 3:14-18.
2006-10-04 16:23:46 · answer #2 · answered by Dogality 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What was the situation in which this occured? If you can give some more details, it would be easier to give you soe advise for next time. (Please feel free to e-mail if you don't want to declare publicly).
It can sometimes be difficult to stand up for what you believe in, especially when there are risks involved. (Might you lose your job, might you lose friends you have had for a long time). The important thing to keep in mind is that God is always watching you. He sees every single thing that you do.
When I remember this, and I think of Jesus dying on that cross for me, I am ashamed that I don't do more to stand up for Him. When things get like that for me, I just think how I would feel if I happened to overhear my son deny knowing me.
If you have accepted Christ, though, just remember that it's okay. Things will happen and the fact that you are feeling so convicted is really just a sign that the Holy Spirit is working in you. It's Satan that is going to make you doubt your salvation. You can't undo the past, so just pray to God, admit what you've done and how you feel and ask for more strength next time.
2006-10-04 16:13:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your first experience? Either your a new christian, or a pretty good one. First of all....God is not going to strike you down because you denied him. Peter denied him THREE times, and look at the good God accomplished through him! Its human nature to question, and to wrestle with the issue of God. Without questions, without disbelief, there would be no point to a relationship. Instead of looking at your "denial" as something God will punish you for, and as something that should cause fear of the endtimes, look at is as an oppurtuinity to surrender to God your feelings of uncertanity and doubt. Think about why you "denied" Him. Talk to Him about it. Don't freak out. God's okay with questions. He's bigger than you, and he is not going to inflict eternal damnation on you. Just accept the grace from him, and move along.
Ok. So i just reread your question. And my answer it rather off base. But I am going to keep it. Cause maybe someone else may need to read it.
2006-10-04 16:12:15 · answer #4 · answered by Cari 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ask Him for forgiveness and then just go and do it next time. Look at Peter, he denied Christ 3 times and then made the first sermon that brought thousands of people to Christ. God can still use you.
One thing that you could do is to remember that you may never have the same chance again, make it a kind of now-or-never kind of thing. Other than that, I am not sure what to suggest, I kind of have the same problem too.
2006-10-04 16:07:41 · answer #5 · answered by G W 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read the Bible as much as you can. Understand the context and intent of scripture and find one or two that make you feel the presence of the Lord. When you come to a situation that intimidates you, call on that verse to strengthen you. You will find many affirmative verses in the New Testament. I happen to like the simple affirmation from God to Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Whatever verse makes you feel like the Arm of the Lord is with you, remember that and it will be your shield in times of temptation. I promise. God promises.
2006-10-04 16:14:50 · answer #6 · answered by reformed 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A good motivational tool for me is a quote from Charles Spurgeon "Have you no wish for others to be saved. Then your not saved yourself, be sure of that." I realize that quote has to do with evangelism, but if your serious about fulfilling the great commission (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19) then you will want to stand up for God, and infact you may have to alot more than ussual. So remembe the command from Jesus and preach the gospel, and keep that quote in mind, hopefully it'll help.
2006-10-04 16:10:26 · answer #7 · answered by Jason M 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You feel like you denied God, because you didn't take the stand you felt He would have wanted you to. We can all relate to that. What concerns me most, however, is that you feel petrified. If you have trusted Jesus for your salvation, you are God's child. NOw what father, or mother, would be holding a stick over their own child, just waiting for a moment of weakness? He saved you because He wants you. He knew all about you before the foundation of the earth, and He still worked things out to bring you to trust in Christ. and you are petrified? Don't be. He loves you and is longing for fellowship with you. He is not angry with your weakness, but He is saddened that you should be so frightened. He doies not want you to see Him as a monster who is out to get you.
I would like to recommend a book: 'What's So Amazing About Grace' by Philip Yancy. I believe it will really help you.
God bless you!
2006-10-04 16:23:44 · answer #8 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everyone has a time in their life where they have felt like they've denied God. And I know as a believer that it feels horrible. But eventually you will realize that there are plenty of non-believers out there and how to stand up for yourself in that situation. Do not feel guilty, I know how you feel. But pray about it, God is about forgiveness, not condemnation. He forgives you, and will time and time again, regardless of what you do. Remember that first. Forgive yourself and move on. Pray for strength. Pray for the right words next time you are in this situation, God will provide it for you. I, too, believe this world is getting very close to it's end, and it's harder to admit your faith every day. Remember God is with us every step of the way and you will someday meet him in all His glory and splendor and be forgiven as you pass through the gates to heaven. At the end of the day, that is all that is important. God knows you love him and He loves you! Pray for strength for yourself and for all other christians. That's all we can do.
2006-10-04 16:16:14 · answer #9 · answered by I'm just me 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's okay. No one is free from sin, and God will stand up for you, no matter what. Only if you choose to completely cut yourself off from God is there no hope. If this denial happened in a secular environment like at work for example, just avoid the topic rather than be duped into denial. Yes, or No. Its no one else's buisness to press you further. God will still stand up for you.
2006-10-04 19:18:19 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋