Author	Thread: A New Life & A New Sprit
Admin	A New Life & A New Sprit Posted : 15 Apr, 2010 08:00 PM I was thinking as I read this in Ezekiel chapter11: 14-21, about God's grace toward Israel and us, even during chastisement, He still shows us His love, grace and mercy. Becasue He has not punished any of us according to our deeds. The promise of a new life nad a new spirit within us, should give us all hope in knowing that He loves us, and give cause for us to love Him so much, that we will learn obedience toward Him, as not to break His heart or caue His name shame. I know I've had many frustrations in my life, especially from problems that I have cause or brought upon myself, because of disobedience, and there have been time when I felt like giving up hope that there would be any change. But I had to endure the punishment. Even when I flet angry, and which God would hurry and and get it over, and asked, why wasn't the other person punished? Or why did my punishment take so long?... and on the other side, I felt gilty, and ashamed for hurting God by being in disobedience. It makes you think, is everything really lost because we must reap the consequences of our own folly and sins of disobedience? I don't think so, because God has given us a promise that He would never leave us nor forsake us, no matter what. He also promises to give us a new life and a new start, when we endure until the end no matter what we are going through. He also promise us a fresh start by proving us with new heart and a new spirit for obeying Him. Most of us brood over our sin of the pasts and play the blame game. But in Ezehiel chapter 11,Israle were upset because they were scattered in exile, and refuse to accept the fact that thier own sins cause this to happen. But God still promise to restore Israel and restore us when we obey His call and His word. We tend to forget that God's grace doesn't come by what we do for Him, but what He has done for us. Have you ever felt the heavy sadness of disappointing God and finding yourslef outside the joy of divine communion with Him? What gave you hope? What say you... ella Post Reply
GraceMae View Profile History	A New Life & A New Sprit Posted : 15 Apr, 2010 09:42 PM ET... thanks for the thread. Well, I feel saddened sometimes only when I think of all the years I wasted not following the Lord, and how He loved me so much all along. His grace, His mercy followed me all the while I didn't often give Him any real time in a day for years in my youth. Oh, what I missed. Living my life just as I wanted to. God allowed me free reign over my decisions in life, but the one thing I know now, is--while I had the right to make my own decisions, He controlled the consequences, and that was a lived out revelation for me and the truth of the Word of God in this season of my life today. I thank God today that He can use me now. I praise God for that. My hope is in His love for me. My hope is believing in His word, and often that is hard. My hope is in God, knowing that He is faithful in His love for me. ~ GraceMae Post Reply
View Profile History	A New Life & A New Sprit Posted : 15 Apr, 2010 10:07 PM One thing that always bothered me, and sometimes still does, is the inevitability that we will sin. We will screw up. It's frustrating, because I don't want to. What helped me out was looking at what happened to Peter and Paul. Jesus TOLD Peter that he would deny Him 3 times. He physically told this to him... to his face. What happened? Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times! But what happened after that? Jesus showed him love and mercy. And then Paul continually asked the Lord to remove a certain "thorn" from his side, though we never really find out what the thorn is, but God never did this. I always wondered why, but now I realize something. Who am I to question God? I know He knows what's best. He is a just, loving, merciful God. I need to just trust Him. That means trusting His actions, too. And even after Paul struggled with this "thorn" many, many times, God still accomplished His purpose through Paul, and I know He will still move through me, even with my imperfections. All I can do is continue to ask God for the strength I need everyday and live in His love. Great post. Thanks. In Christ Garrett Post Reply
View Profile History	A New Life & A New Sprit Posted : 16 Apr, 2010 05:36 AM Garret go back and read the occasion you speak of and make a decision to know and understand what Paul said, look at all the verses beforehand and ask the lord to show you, the answer is right there. Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	A New Life & A New Sprit Posted : 16 Apr, 2010 07:56 AM I think it's the attitude we have to have. Hate sin. Long for change. Fight for change. It's not that you can win the battle. You have to fight and God wins it for you in the end. I do not believe total "sinlessness" is possible in this world. I'm struggling with a pretty big sin right now. I can't seem to get a solid foothold...but I can't give up or the battle is lost. Have to keep fighting, and maybe God will give me the victory. :peace::peace: Post Reply
View Profile History	A New Life & A New Sprit Posted : 16 Apr, 2010 02:04 PM Thanks for sharing Hitman. I will be praying over your struggle. God Bless! And I'm not quite sure what you're talking about, PJ. Care to elaborate? Thanks. In Christ Garrett Post Reply
View Profile History	A New Life & A New Sprit Posted : 16 Apr, 2010 11:21 PM The answer is right in the context: 2nd Cor 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 � Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. 1 � It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ�s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Post Reply
View Profile History	A New Life & A New Sprit Posted : 17 Apr, 2010 12:00 AM Yes, PJ. I read the verse, but I'm not quite sure what you're answering... I mean, it's a good job none-the-less, I'm just a little lost... :dunce: In Christ Garrett Post Reply