| Author | Message | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 607 Registered: 9-2006  |
Many times faith alone is far more difficult that one who believes the Adventist way. As life leaks away one day at a time and we proceed toward that day when we will stand before our maker. Have I done it right? Well, I really do not measure up to my own expectations and I have habits that I just canít seem to shake loose. What if they are right and I am wrong, who ever ìTheyî might be. Is there something I failed to see or failed to do, says doubt. The enemy of our soul uses every opportunity to bring doubt unease and torment to the Christian heart. Some dayís we just donít ìfeelî close to God as we think we should. Today I didnít act very Christ like at all with that store clerk or that neighbor. In fact, today I donít ìfeelî saved at all! Bummer! Yesterday things were going pretty good and I really ìfelt assuranceî but it seems from the time I got up this morning the whole world has fallen in on my life, is there something I should have done? Something I should have known? Shouldnít I be ìdoing something?î Where is the Lord when I need him, he seems far away right now, says doubt. Maybe I just havenít prayed hard enough! I should be a better person. What if Iím just not good enough, sayís old creeping doubt. Doubt is my name and torment is my game, I am doubt and you cannot win. You won today but I will get you tomorrow, says doubt. In the 10th chapter of the book of Romans Paul speaks bravely and succinctly as he speaks of Israel and to us, Mr. Joe Christian. Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. Romans 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." Romans 10:6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Romans 10:7 or, " 'Who will descend into the abyss?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Yes, ìOld doubtî stands on the side lines, looks over our shoulder even as we read Godís word and the story is Old as man ìHath God said?î says doubt. Tomorrow is Sunday at the time of this writing, my plans are too attend regular Sunday services. Why am I planning to go to church? Glad you ask my friend, I knew you would. I am not going to be saved; I am going because I am saved. My offering that I offer is offered not to be saved, but because I am saved. I will not go to church to bring Christ down from heaven. He is going with me and then when I get there, we will both walk in together. Yes, Iím sure ìOld doubtî will be slinking around to try to waylay be but if he does I will read him the 10th chapter of Romans ìYes, God hath said!!î River | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 608 Registered: 9-2006 |
Many times faith alone is far more difficult that one who believes the Adventist way. I meant to say "Than" one who believes the adventist way" I tried to edit the post but apparently once you hit the back button and then reopen the thread, you cannot edit the post. Hmmmmm. River | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5556 Registered: 12-2003  |
River, thank you for your declaration of victory over doubt! Even if we feel doubtful, God is faithful, and doubt cannot have the last word. Thank you, River. And praise God, I am also planning to go to church tomorrowóI am so thankful that God chose to allow me to have such rich experiences in worship and study in my lifetime. After the decades I had "before", what he has given me now is amazing. God be praised! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 609 Registered: 9-2006 |
That up there is the Magazine piece I am planning on submitting for May, here is the finished piece. I hope you all enjoy the article. If I fail to give encouragement to someone I have failed. River ************************************************** Old Man Doubt Many times faith alone is far more difficult that one who believes in a works Salvation. As life leaks away one day at a time and we proceed toward that day when we will stand before our maker. Have I done it right? Says doubt. Well, I really do not measure up to my own expectations and I have habits that I just canít seem to shake loose. Says doubt. What if they are right and I am wrong, who ever ìTheyî might be, says doubt. Is there something I failed to see or failed to do, says doubt. The enemy of our soul uses every opportunity to bring doubt unease and torment to the Christian heart. Some dayís we just donít ìfeelî close to God as we think we should. Today I didnít act very Christ like at all with that store clerk or that neighbor, says doubt. In fact, today I donít ìfeelî saved at all! Bummer! Says doubt. Yesterday things were going pretty good and I really ìfelt assuranceî but it seems from the time I got up this morning the whole world has fallen in on my life, is there something I should have done? Something I should have known? Shouldnít I be ìdoing something?î Says doubt. Where is the Lord when I need him, he seems far away right now, says doubt. Maybe I just havenít prayed hard enough! I should be a better person, says doubt. What if Iím just not good enough, sayís old creeping doubt. Doubt is my name and torment is my game, I am doubt and you cannot win. You won today but I will get you tomorrow, says doubt. In the 10th chapter of the book of Romans Paul speaks bravely and succinctly as he speaks of Israel and to us, Mr. Joe Christian. Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. Romans 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." Romans 10:6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Romans 10:7 or, " 'Who will descend into the abyss?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Yes, ìOld doubtî stands on the side lines, looks over our shoulder even as we read Godís word and the story is Old as man ìHath God said?î says doubt. Tomorrow is Sunday at the time of this writing, my plans are too attend regular Sunday services. Why am I planning to go to church? Glad you ask my friend, I knew you would. I am not going to be saved; I am going because I am saved. My offering that I offer is offered not to be saved, but because I am saved. I will not go to church to bring Christ down from heaven. He is going with me and then when I get there, we will both walk in together. Yes, Iím sure ìOld doubtî will be slinking around to try to waylay me but if he does I will read him the 10th chapter of Romans ìYes, God hath said!!î Doubt destroys faith, but we can build ourselves up. Many times in the past when God seemed very far away from being active in my life, plenty of room for doubt existed but I would remember back to the time the Lord did this or that, answered this or that prayer, brought help just on time, demonstrated his care in a real and tangible way. Healed, delivered, and in so remembering those times, my faith would begin to rise and pretty soon I would be offering praise to God and my soul would sing, no longer in doubt but having faith in the sure faithfulness of God. Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, What God has done for us in the past becomes a storehouse that we can draw on, waters in the times of desert crossings, and in so doing build ourselves up on our most holy faith and doubt will flee, you can be sure of that. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3484 Registered: 3-2004  |
Praise God that doubt does not have to stay with us. When I start doubting I get out my gratitude list and start going over it in my mind and out loud if I am alone. That chases doubt away for me. Doubt tries, but God has already won. Thank you God. You are awesome. Diana |
