prayer warriors (following Jesus Christ, everyone welcome)

[LauraBrown]

Hello again, please pray for my family and I as we travel from NY to SC to FL to TN. Thanks

I'll keep y'all in my prayers

 

[Cynthia12]

The Atonement is intensely personal and uniquely crafted for our own individual circumstances and situations.

The risks of our becoming distant from our Father in Heaven and the Savior are significant and constantly around us. Happily, the Atonement was meant for all of these situations.

Jesus Christ was the only one capable of performing the magnificent Atonement because He was the only perfect man and the Only Begotten Son of God. His perfect mortal life..having no sin.. the shedding of His blood, His suffering in the garden and upon the cross, His voluntary death, and the Resurrection of His body from the tomb made possible a full Atonement for people of every generation and time.
The Atonement makes the Resurrection a reality for everyone. However, with our individual transgressions and sins, conditional aspects of the Atonement require our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our repentance, and our compliance with the laws.
Not always easy for us during our lifetime... we may make some decisions in life at times that isn't going to make it easy to want to repent. We think we are not loved by Him at times, how could He love such a sinner? He can! He does! It's because of that time in the Garden, that He knows us. He knows each and every one of us individually. He knows the very feelings we are feeling when we are ill, sad, feeling unloved.

There is a pattern for living that results in happiness, even with difficulties, challenges, and disappointments that come into all of our lives. We need to focus on the big picture of God’s plan for us and be able to avoid being brought down by frustrations or by the fact that life is not fair. It isn’t fair, but we can be happy anyway!

We also can’t and won’t know the meaning of all things, but we can and must know that the Lord loves us.. His children, and that we can be the benefit from Christ’s grace and Atonement in our lives and in our struggles. We should know and must remember the foolishness and danger of giving the evil one place in our hearts.
Even when we fully understand and commit to excluding evil and the evil one from our hearts and from our lives, we fall short because too often we are “natural” men and women. While we often speak of our repentance as an event, which it sometimes is, for most of us it is a constant, lifelong process.
Even when we aren't sinning in a big way, we find ourselves doing or saying something that isn't Christ like. We should repent of these things. We will be a happier person because of repenting often.

 

[cabincreations]

shortgrass...peaks and valleys is right. I am a preachers daughter...lets just say I lived up to the stereotype for too many years...filled myself with enough guilt and shame that I'm still shaking it off and have to daily remind myself to just trust God
But God is good!
It's been many years since I came back to Jesus but I still have a dreadful fear of falling into some pit. It causes me great anxiety because I know how easy it is. Even though I had no addictions, thank goodness, I had a praying father and my life was very much protected even when I was on the streets and staying in crack houses for shelter and warmth. But I had other issues.
I can understand your hesitation to write all that out...but you have an amazing and wonderful testimony, one God will sure use to help so many others.
Even living a Christian life has it's own peaks and valleys, not as severe, mind you.
These days my peaks and valleys are menopausal...not fun! lol! But I am doing my best to just enjoy the ride, and avoid the rabbit holes! And trust God!

I think we go through all those times to be able to reach others that God has chosen. If we were all perfect, then we would have to empathy for those who need our help. But we are all so imperfect that we can be molded, and used to further God's kingdom. If we allow.
I read an interesting quote today that said "Rock Bottom has built more heroes than privilege" I think it has built more saints than Sunday School too


Taken from Girlfriends in God Devotional at CrossWalk.com

March 22, 2017
The Power of Your Story
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“Thomas fell to his knees and cried, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28 NIV)
Friend to Friend
When Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, there was one who was absent from the motley crew: Thomas. When he came back to the group, they were all abuzz talking about Jesus’ surprise appearance. But Thomas didn’t believe a word of it.

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it,” he declared.
A week later his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus suddenly appeared and stood among them.
“Peace be with you!” he said.
Then Jesus turned to a stunned Thomas and said, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas fell to his knees and cried, "My Lord and my God!"
The world is full of “Thomases.” I was one and perhaps you were one too. And even though I did not run my fingers over Jesus’ nail-scarred hands or thrust my hand into his sword-pierced side, I recognized Jesus through the scars of the men and women who were not afraid to share their stories of healing and redemption…and I believed.
In Revelation 12:11, John wrote, “They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Incredible power is released when we drop the chains of bitterness, fear and shame to tell our stories.
Because Satan knows that our stories are instrumental in his ultimate defeat, he will do anything and everything to convince us to keep the treasures hidden away. Oh dear one, God is calling us to not be ashamed of our scars, for it is by those very scars that others will recognize the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Do you know a “Thomas” who needs to see Jesus’ scars…perhaps in your own life? This week, I encourage you to share your story of redemption with one other person and watch a miracle take place!
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You that there was no hint of condemnation from the other disciples when Timothy doubted. I pray that I will never condemn a friend who is struggling with her own faith. Give me the courage to show my scars to someone who needs to see what You’ve done in my life. I want to be one of those people whom Jesus mentioned when he said to Timothy, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29 NIV).
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

 

[shortgrass]

Well stated @Cynthia12.. It's amazing that 2 months ago I didn't even believe in miracles! The shaping, molding, hammering, refining that we go through in life is all in what our Creator intends for us to be, especially designed for each of us. We can't do it without Jesus as our shepherd. Those valleys would do us in.


Welcome to the thread, @cabincreations! I'm still scared to sin too I'm so happy here in this place in Gods good grace Those valleys were totally worth it to end up finally knowing Jesus and having LIFE in me!


Oh before I lose track of the whole valley point too, lol


Some examples of valleys in scripture:



Valley of sin, Siddim. Sodom and Gomorrah. The slime pits. Genesis 14:10

Valley of decision, Eschol. The land of milk and honey promised. Numbers 13:23, 32:9, Deuteronomy 1:24

Valley of suffering, Kidron. Valley of Jehoshaphat, a war torn burial ground. Joel 3:2

Valley of battle, Elah. David and Goliath fought here. 1 Samuel 17:2, 2 Samuel 21:19

Valley of punishment, Achor. Where Achan was stoned to death for coveting, stealing, and hiding treasure in the camp. Joshua 7:26, 15:7, Hosea 2:15 .. Another example in Isaiah 65:10

Valley of spiritual death, Gehenna. This is hell for those who are not saved through Christ. Matthew 5:22, 29, 10:28, 18:9, 23:15, 33, Luke 12:5, James 3:6

Valley of Armageddon, the end. This would be the valley of judgement. Where Jezebel met her demise. 2 Kings 9:30

Valley of blessing, Berakah. The Israelites blessed and praised the Lord for overcoming their enemy. 2 chronicles 20:26

In the end, every valley will be filled, Luke 3:5. This is the promise to believers in Christ. Those that have humbled themselves, prayed in earnest, turned from their wicked ways, and repented of sin.



I have to question myself with WHY did it take me wandering for almost 40 years in the wilderness to find something that was right in front of me? Why did i prefer to stay in the darkness? Why did it take so much suffering before I realized God was in control? How many times am I going to sink because I fail to keep my eyes on Jesus? Why did it take me so long to just start actually reading the bible? How much do i have to be blessed with before i will say "thank you" and start giving back?

How many people ae out there in desperation and need of healing and think that they're worthless or unwanted or a lost cause? If they think they're not worth it, or God doesn't care, or He's not hearing them or answering, they need to know the truth. If I can defy God as much as I have, and Jesus can heal me and show me how to use the Spirit to help me turn from my ways of sin and have peace and a bond with God, then they can too. It's not about being perfect. It's about being forgiven.

 

[cabincreations]

@shortgrass I think my journey probably wasn't so long because I knew God before...I just had to know Him for myself...not from someone else cramming it down my throat lol! And I had NO IDEA what the world was all about as sheltered as my Brethren upbringing was. But I was a very curious child and had to learn it by experience...
God is a little different to a preachers kid...we grew up having to be perfect...having to have an outward 'face' so that we didn't shame our parents. And when you hit your teens running, the whole church shuns you because you 'should' know better, after all, you've been reciting all the verses your whole life, right? You're supposed to be part of the ministry from a child...a lot is expected of you...and being the oldest I had a double whammy going on there. I just gave up and ran away from God. Wanted nothing to do with Him and His expectations that i could never reach.
But He brought me back...not very gently...but He did. After I got mixed up in some deep occultist ways. That was scary, but the moment I was too terrified to do anything else...I got on my knees and repented and begged Him to save me. (I will not even go into what from, but it was really deep and dark) And He did, instantly! The shadows were removed, the demons stepped back, and I could see Him oh so very clearly then. In a way that I will never ever ever be able to deny there is a God and He saves us.

 

[Flock Master64]

My journey has just begun

 

[cabincreations]

My journey has just begun

It's an amazing journey!

 

[shortgrass]

@shortgrass
  I think my journey probably wasn't so long because I knew God before...I just had to know Him for myself...not from someone else cramming it down my throat  lol!  And I had NO IDEA what the world was all about as sheltered as my Brethren upbringing was.  But I was a very curious child and had to learn it by experience...
God is a little different to a preachers kid...we grew up having to be perfect...having to have an outward 'face' so that we didn't shame our parents.  And when you hit your teens running, the whole church shuns you because you 'should' know better, after all, you've been reciting all the verses your whole life, right?  You're supposed to be part of the ministry from a child...a lot is expected of you...and being the oldest I had a double whammy going on there.  I just gave up and ran away from God.  Wanted nothing to do with Him and His expectations that i could never reach.
But He brought me back...not very gently...but He did.  After I got mixed up in some deep occultist ways.  That was scary, but the moment I was too terrified to do anything else...I got on my knees and repented and begged Him to save me.  (I will not even go into what from, but it was really deep and dark)  And He did, instantly!  The shadows were removed, the demons stepped back, and I could see Him oh so very clearly then.  In a way that I will never ever ever be able to deny there is a God and He saves us.

I was curious about that; if being raised in that environment helps a child grow in the spirit... I would venture to guess it all depends on our hearts, not what we actually "know". I was baptized as an ingant and did the whole "catechism" and confirmation things, but I didn't have s clue. I just did that to make my mom happy. I took it for granted and never realized how hard I made it for myself. I blamed God, when it was all me. I chose to do this... Looking for treasure, pleasure, feeling good, or getting filthy in a pit that might become my grave?

Felt the need for a visual aid.

 

[shortgrass]

My journey has just begun

I pray you remember where we have stepped before you and don't forget to put God first or you might be telling a tale like mine in 20 years. Don't mess around, Jake, don't waste half your life wandering in the wilderness, you have a shot at a full, happy, blessed life if you keep Jesus next to your heart

 

[cabincreations]

I was curious about that; if being raised in that environment helps a child grow in the spirit... I would venture to guess it all depends on our hearts, not what we actually "know". I was baptized as an ingant and did the whole "catechism" and confirmation things, but I didn't have s clue. I just did that to make my mom happy. I took it for granted and never realized how hard I made it for myself. I blamed God, when it was all me. I chose to do this... Looking for treasure, pleasure, feeling good, or getting filthy in a pit that might become my grave?



Felt the need for a visual aid.

I don't even know what I was looking for, I was just rebelling against the preacher...and I only hurt myself in the process. It is a long story...lol! Love the visual aid! lol!