encouragement?

Question

I have accepted Christ. But sometimes i fail to obey his word. I enjoy going to church and having fellowship with my brothers and sisters there. But once in a while, I wouldnt feel like going. i will just want to stay home and do my own stuff, hence making some excuse, which thereafter i will feel guilty. Fellow brothers and sisters, I need some encouragement, I want to walk close to God, but sometimes, I find it a bit of a struggle.

Answer 1

Not Just Songs
April 2, 2005



Hello again. God continues to be so wonderful to me it is unreasonable. I am so thankful for the life changing work He has done in my heart over the past few years. He has revealed the truth to me...about who I am in His eyes. I had it so wrong...I used to live with constant condemnation, never being one who excelled at all the christian disciplines...prayer, bible reading, fasting, etc. I would have good moments...after a conference or a stirring word from a pulpit, I might vow to read every day and it would last as long as every exercise program I ever started...two weeks, tops. And then the condemnation would return and I would settle with the fact that I would never be a very spiritual person. Only those who "pay their dues" end up in a place where they can really hear from God and experience His presence. And apparently, I thought, that would never be me. Well, in 2001, my husband and I endured a very difficult trial. Derek found himself completely burned out and ended up with debilitating depression. It lasted for months...he seemed like such an unlikely candidate. But God allowed this to teach us both one of the most amazing truths of the gospel...His grace. Derek, who was a champion of the disciplines, learned that it was nothing that he had done or could do that would bring freedom. And I learned that it wasn't anything that I HADN'T done that would keep true freedom from me. The answer for both of us was the grace of God...when we realized that only God changes hearts, and that maturity and sprituality only comes when we realize we cannot do it, we both began a new journey of living completely dependent upon Him. The condemnation that I had known for most of my christian life, was gone. For the first time, I felt my Father looking upon me with favor, not disappointment. I realized that my portion was to be spiritual and to hear from Him. Galatians speaks of walking in the Spirit...something that had been as foreign to me as using chopsticks. But now, it is my life. Prayer and bible reading are now things I want to do because He speaks to me. Worship times used to be so hollow for me. I would sing the words, but most of the time, feel nothing. It is hard to compliment a Boss whom you think is never pleased with your performance. But now, I truly worship from my heart. It is not just songs anymore. I just wrote a song about this transformation in worship...here are some ot the lyrics.

I stand in awe of You, when I consider all You've done
in me, to me, why me?
I'm so amazed that You would take such pains to change my heart
graciously, patiently, why me?
So when I think of all You've done, it provokes my heart to sing
I found freedom, I found grace, You revealed the truth to me
Oh how I used to sing those empty words
Wishing I could feel You more
Now I can worship You in truth and faith
No it's not just songs anymore
No it's not just songs anymore

My prayer for every believer is that they would know His grace and find the true freedom that comes with complete dependence on Him. Duty is calling me away from this computer...there is a two year old in a Spiderman suit telling me she needs to go potty...too late. More laundry for Mama.
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I have a passion to see believers knowing who they are in Christ, walking in freedom, and in a revelation of the grace of God. Drawing from my own experiences of suffering, and set free from years of religious condemnation, I point the way through sharing to the depths of the grace of God. "The place of true surrender is a place of true freedom and peace, and every believer has a right, through Christ, to these blessings." "What the Lord has done in me, I just can't keep it to myself. I just want everyone else to know the peace that, by God's grace, I have come to know." I have a passion
to see the people of God walk in revelation of God's grace.

Answer 2

i'm very sorry on your loss, yet i'm satisfied to take heed to that her passing became non violent. i believe that one in all 2 issues have handed off jointly with her spirit. both it has handed to the Summerland, or it is on the verge of crumple of go back to this international in a clean body. both way i believe that your spirits will meet again. What has handed off isn't a lot an ending, because it is a beginning of one kind or yet another. per chance quite of mourning her loss you could practice for the time even as your spirits will reunite. once you journey issues, journey them for her besides. save in ideas them for once you do meet again so so that you could percentage those studies jointly with her in her new kind. Do issues that both of you loved jointly and have a good time the time you shared as adverse to concentrating on the soreness. i wish this facilitates. do not forget that typically the soreness you're feeling immediately may be an element of the healing procedure and allowing your self to be unhappy each and every from time to time is okay. only verify that it would not devour you. advantages!

Answer 3

You need to study the Word of God to undersand His Will to truly please Him. If the going to church means to walk close to God, what would happen to millions of people who stay home like you?
I think that the essence of religion is to learn and practice the lesson of selfless love, and this depend not on rituals or places of services. Wish that you happily practice love and always enjoy the love of God.

Answer 4

It is necessary and good to have fellowship. We're encouraged to seek it out the more as we see the day approaching. Many don't talk about his returning as much as they should because that day is approaching quickly now and we need to build ourselves up on our most holy faith so that when he comes we are ready, because it will come as a snare upon all them that dwell on the face of the earth, so we need to watch and pray that we be accounted worthy to escape all the things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man. It is good to sorrow with a godly sorrow that works repentance to salvation not to be repented of which produces fear and a vehement desire and zeal in you, and when you are converted to strengthen your brethren.

Answer 5

You are not alone, many of us feel like this..all I can say is to never let God go, no matter how you feel and to always go to Him and tell Him how you feel. Ask Him for help with this and keep reading. Satan wants us to struggle so much that we will give up. I for one do not want him to win, thereby having Jesus die for me in vain...not after all the horror satan has caused.
Be strong.
God Bless.

Answer 6

the thing is that you don't have to go to church to be so-called 'good.' of course it's important to take time with the lord, but whether its at home or walking down the street it doesn't matter. if you stay home and read his word and pray its just as good.

Answer 7

Sometimes when we don't feel like going to church, it is the sermon we needed to hear. The devil will do whatever it takes to get you not to go. Next time you feel like staying home, go anyway.. You'll be glad you did.

Answer 8

going to church is 1 way of getting near to heaven.

but at home, you can still pray to heaven.

it is all in your mind and heart.

ps: heaven is everywhere.

mercury of love