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Post by Rosemarie Matlak on Dec 19, 2017 14:15:44 GMT -6
When I was saved at age 29, back in 1975, a woman from my church gave me some small paperback books that helped me leave Catholic doctrine and settle into a full assurance of my salvation. The books were written by J.F. Strombeck. There are five of them and they are now bound in a single book titled "The Strombeck Collection". He wrote them in the 1940's and into the 50's. There is a forward by Warren Wiersbe. This book is available on Amazon, and it is worth it's weight in gold, especially for the struggling for assurance believer.
Mr. Strombeck is an amazing writer who takes complicated discussions on salvation doctrine and makes them so simple and succinct, all from Scripture. For those who take this recommendation, you are in for a glorious feast of the solid food that will leave you on your knees in praise for our Savior, Jesus, our Father, God, and the Holy Spirit who calms us and builds us up in the knowledge of God's love.
Blessing to all. I love reading your posts! Romie
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2017 15:41:40 GMT -6
barbiosheepgirl - you bless me deeply - it brings such joy to hear these words coming from you. What a message! What Love! What Grace! What a God! What a Savior!
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Post by boraddict on Dec 19, 2017 20:40:36 GMT -6
krnboitae, you said this above: While I agree that you must have FELT like you were Unsaved, stop for a moment, Praise Jesus that the Holy Spirit convicted you of your sinful ways. The Holy Spirit caused you to turn from what you saw as your journey to hell, even though you were calling yourself a Christian. Do you see how that even if you say you believe that that does not prevent you from sinning. We will never be capable of not sinning in this present age, while you are alive in this fleshly body. It is only by the WORK of Him through the HOLY SPIRIT that you "turn" from your fleshly ways and start walking in FAITH in Christ. Praise Jesus that you are able to experience your Pentacostal walk now, and not later in the great tribulations to come! Yet slow that walk down (the rapture watching walk) a second and LISTEN to Him.. If I can encourage you I would have you go to the Hearing God threadThere is a good teaching of Faith there. This will expand your understanding of Faith of which you are walking, yet provide you with more scripture that will add to your Pentecostal Walk. Romans 8:10But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Only the Holy Spirit does the Work. Do you see? You have evidence that the Holy Spirit is within you unlike before! You are convicted of your sins, yet you still are a sinner! And little did you know, that back in your younger days the Lord began a work in you. It took time, but He opened and closed doors in your life though you never knew it. You weren't aware he was doing it, as you were not hearing him, you were listening to your flesh. Lets use the parable of the Soils. The person who led you to the Lord did not understand or see the kind of soil you were. Your soil (MIND) was of rock, or just sand. The person witnessing to you did not realize the soil of knrboitae needed mulching & compost. Had they known they would have pointed you to the scriptures where it talks about our struggles with our flesh. But THANK GOD the Holy Spirit can build that soil AND HAS BEEN DOING SO until BOOM, your seed began to grow. You died to your flesh LONG AGO, but in poor soil. Yet Praise His Word that your sand & rocks became filled with the nutrients of His Word to the point where you began to grow! The seed was there the whole time, yet dormant!!! Now look at you!!! You are now able to understand the two natures within you. The fleshly Nature, and now, your Spiritual nature! This is the encouragement to give a person who is lost. Encourage them to let the Holy Spirit work in them. Christ's Work on the cross is finished, once and for all, FOR ALL. It is the Holy Spirit that one receives by faith because this work on the cross is done, but the pentecostal chaffing of your sinful nature is not. Jesus said, Pick up your cross (faith) and follow me. He did not say, pick up your cross, see ya later.... There is much more stuff that happens in the Heaven we so want to be in. Isnt that what the Book of Revelation is all about? and if those who are alive and remain during the tribulations will have their soils worked over even harder. Let's not lose sight and make a claim that those who remain after rapture are going to Hell. Those that remain after rapture are still on the threshing floor so to speak. Rest in Him NOW! or suffer the threshing floor or the wine press in the tribulation... I am saying this to you Teddy so you can witness more effectively to those whom you see may not make this rapture. MARANATHA! Krnboitae, Thank you for running interference for me. I can almost get away with saying anything now that you are here. Isn't that funny? I thought for sure Mike and Silent were going to point at few thing out to me, but it was you that got on the hook. Anyway, I knew that my comments about unrepentant liars was wrong; however, I was willing to take the heat of correction because I was pretty upset about canceling my purchase. Interestingly, I went to another store and found the same washer dryer set for just a little more money. I told the sales person my story and they matched the other stores price. How is that for coming out okay? Like I said, Mike and Silent were preoccupied with you and I slipped through unscathed. Thus, I humbly say that Lord Jesus accepts us all. Even those who make us angry from time to time. You krnboitae are now my best friend. Hope you are okay with that.
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Post by krnboitae on Dec 20, 2017 0:02:39 GMT -6
krnboitae, you said this above: While I agree that you must have FELT like you were Unsaved, stop for a moment, Praise Jesus that the Holy Spirit convicted you of your sinful ways. The Holy Spirit caused you to turn from what you saw as your journey to hell, even though you were calling yourself a Christian. Do you see how that even if you say you believe that that does not prevent you from sinning. We will never be capable of not sinning in this present age, while you are alive in this fleshly body. It is only by the WORK of Him through the HOLY SPIRIT that you "turn" from your fleshly ways and start walking in FAITH in Christ. Praise Jesus that you are able to experience your Pentacostal walk now, and not later in the great tribulations to come! Yet slow that walk down (the rapture watching walk) a second and LISTEN to Him.. If I can encourage you I would have you go to the Hearing God threadThere is a good teaching of Faith there. This will expand your understanding of Faith of which you are walking, yet provide you with more scripture that will add to your Pentecostal Walk. Romans 8:10But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Only the Holy Spirit does the Work. Do you see? You have evidence that the Holy Spirit is within you unlike before! You are convicted of your sins, yet you still are a sinner! And little did you know, that back in your younger days the Lord began a work in you. It took time, but He opened and closed doors in your life though you never knew it. You weren't aware he was doing it, as you were not hearing him, you were listening to your flesh. Lets use the parable of the Soils. The person who led you to the Lord did not understand or see the kind of soil you were. Your soil (MIND) was of rock, or just sand. The person witnessing to you did not realize the soil of knrboitae needed mulching & compost. Had they known they would have pointed you to the scriptures where it talks about our struggles with our flesh. But THANK GOD the Holy Spirit can build that soil AND HAS BEEN DOING SO until BOOM, your seed began to grow. You died to your flesh LONG AGO, but in poor soil. Yet Praise His Word that your sand & rocks became filled with the nutrients of His Word to the point where you began to grow! The seed was there the whole time, yet dormant!!! Now look at you!!! You are now able to understand the two natures within you. The fleshly Nature, and now, your Spiritual nature! This is the encouragement to give a person who is lost. Encourage them to let the Holy Spirit work in them. Christ's Work on the cross is finished, once and for all, FOR ALL. It is the Holy Spirit that one receives by faith because this work on the cross is done, but the pentecostal chaffing of your sinful nature is not. Jesus said, Pick up your cross (faith) and follow me. He did not say, pick up your cross, see ya later.... There is much more stuff that happens in the Heaven we so want to be in. Isnt that what the Book of Revelation is all about? and if those who are alive and remain during the tribulations will have their soils worked over even harder. Let's not lose sight and make a claim that those who remain after rapture are going to Hell. Those that remain after rapture are still on the threshing floor so to speak. Rest in Him NOW! or suffer the threshing floor or the wine press in the tribulation... I am saying this to you Teddy so you can witness more effectively to those whom you see may not make this rapture. MARANATHA! Thanks sister~! What a coincidence!! Today I read Matthew chapter 11 to 15. It had the soil parable. My church is giving out $10 movie ticket for reading Matthew this week. Anyways, I just want to share my testimony. I know I am not perfect and I can stumble sometimes by sin. Let me tell you about my dark past. Someone said that a brother on here was struggling with porn. I was one of those person that struggled with porn in the past. When satan tempts you to watch porn, satan does not stop there. I've done sexually immoral things that I am not very proud of, I regret it a lot. Satan eventually wants you to get unsaved and I fell for it. There's difference between falling by mistake and falling by intentionally. I came to the point where I was sinning intentionally. That's why I believe I was unsaved. Satan wants you to believe from small lies (watching porn is OK) to biggest lies (there is no God, bible isn't true). May be I was very close to believing the biggest lies. Since I have given my life to God 100% 3 or 4 months ago (I've never done that before in the past), I have never watched any porn since then. Almost everyday, I read bible and prayed to God, I can feel holy spirit is protecting me. I was changed drastically. God showed me many things and made me able to understand many things since then. I would never want to go back to myself in the past. Praise Jesus for washing my unclean flesh!
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Post by mike on Dec 20, 2017 12:04:45 GMT -6
krnboitaeMany men can relate to the porn issue, myself included. I too am not proud of a lot things i've done and am ashamed to think I have to stand before Jesus one (soon!) and give account for the many transgressions. When God woke me up a year ago, porn fell immediately! I could say the cleansing FIRE and desire to know him purged that and I am grateful for it. You are 100% correct he doesnt stop there...Fortunately greater is He... However, Satan cannot get you unsaved. Brother dont believe that lie. Is continuing in sin deliberately (properly called iniquity) regardless of type a cause to no longer be covered in His blood? NOPE! It is great to hear how he delivered you from bondage. Like He did for me and others, please pray for those who struggle today and pray for the fire of God to continue to protect me & you from the lies of the enemy.
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Post by mike on Dec 20, 2017 12:09:45 GMT -6
boraddict did you really think you were off the hook? Neither of you are on any hook (not with me at least). I read your story about the washer and dryer and likely would have felt the same and maybe acted in a manner that most would say was carnal rather than spiritual. I cannot say for sure though I empathize with you in that someone deceiving you (in what appears to be) deliberately is hurtful for sure. What I can say here is to pray for those use you and mistreat you. Lord have mercy on the people involved in this deceit and turn this into glory for you. Give boraddict the opportunity to glorify you in this however that may be. Your will be done Father.
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Post by kjs on Dec 20, 2017 16:23:48 GMT -6
krnboitae and boraddict
Some of the things you both of said in the previous posts -- really seem to be more "work-based" than Grace Alone based -- so I urge you to PRAY about these items and allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten you.
For one example in a post one stated that when "you truly repented" and "really felt remorse"....
REPENT is one those slippery words that got changed in mean years ago -- and now days are used as some sort of "Clobber Verses" to condemn anyone who is not living a "perfect sin free life"....
REPENT simply MEANS "To change ones mind" -- in the Salvation sense it means to Change Ones mind on whether their own actions will eventually lead to salvation or IF they suddenly discover THEY need a savior -- to BE that salvation for them.
That is what repentance means in the salvation sense -- it does NOT mean feeling really sorry for a particular sin.
Next example is unintentional / intentional SINS --- for the record ALL SINS are intentional -- there are no unintentional sins ..... whether it is staring too long at that girl stretching at the gym, or cussing up a blue streak when a jerk cuts you off on the freeway.... A sin is a Sin -- trying to "classify" them means you still have hopes of over coming one of those sins in your own power --- (which is a sin in itself).
Losing Salvation? Oh my -- that is definitely a red flag that ones "beliefs" are work based!
Salvation is a GIFT from GOD -- it is NOT EARNED and IT can never be lost! Either one accepts they receive salvation as a Gift -- or they some how believe they have some type of Helping hand with their salvation.
READ Romans again (and again) especially 6,7,8 as well as 10,11 ......
THERE is NOW NO Condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus .... and yes that means a new believer in Christ, can turn around the next morning and go on a shooting spree taking out an entire church and still arrive in Heaven when they die --- NOT because of their Actions --- but because they had placed their trust in Jesus Christ -- the Savior of All Man kind.
As a last warning note: keeping track of how many days you have refrained from Porn, or Cussing, Or drinking .... means you are still letting yourself in the drivers seat ..... You still believe you have some control.....
NO, You have DIED with Christ, so you may be Raised with Christ -- IT is All HIS work .... NONE of your own.
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Post by boraddict on Dec 20, 2017 21:25:57 GMT -6
Good! I was almost unscathed! I don't like getting raked over the coals by the moderators. The reference to "work based" by kjs makes me think of Isaiah 1:11-18. "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord. I am full of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts, and I delight not in the blood of bullocks or of lambs or he goats." "When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts." "Bring no more vain oblations; incense is and abomination unto me, the new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot, away with it, it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting." "Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are trouble to me; I am weary to bear them." "And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil." "Learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Thus, there is no sacrifice that we can make to find favor with God except to wash in the blood of Christ to make ourselves clean and put away evil from our lives. We are to learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow. Though our sins be as scarlet and red like crimson they shall be white as wool; we being clean. Do not let Satan deceive you into thinking otherwise. Post Script: Notice that the Lord did not say that we are to be perfect but that we are to put away evil and learn to do good. When you fail to live up to your standard, then stay close to Lord Jesus. Satan will want you to come to him.
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Post by barbiosheepgirl on Dec 21, 2017 19:07:55 GMT -6
boraddict says: Can I elaborate on your word choice? The 4 points you made are example of a person doing work, so how about this:
1) put away evil (no one is capable of this other than God, so follow Jesus by having the FAITH of what he did on the Cross)
2) learn to do good (by accepting his Gift of Grace so that the Holy Spirit leads you to Good)
3) fail to live up to your standard (you become convicted of what is good and what is evil by the power of the Holy Spirit, Praise him for this!)
4) stay close to Lord Jesus (Rest in Him with FAITH so you can continue to HEAR Him and not be deceived by the world)
Maranatha and Merry Christmas!
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Post by boraddict on Dec 21, 2017 23:28:24 GMT -6
boraddict says: Can I elaborate on your word choice? The 4 points you made are example of a person doing work, so how about this: 1) put away evil ( no one is capable of this other than God, so follow Jesus by having the FAITH of what he did on the Cross) 2) learn to do good ( by accepting his Gift of Grace so that the Holy Spirit leads you to Good)3) fail to live up to your standard ( you become convicted of what is good and what is evil by the power of the Holy Spirit, Praise him for this!) 4) stay close to Lord Jesus ( Rest in Him with FAITH so you can continue to HEAR Him and not be deceived by the world) Maranatha and Merry Christmas! Years ago I knew a man and woman who worked well as a team. He had what was called "shell shock" from WWII and before he could finish a sentence his wife would finish it for him. He stuttered profusely. After she finished his sentence he would get mad at her and stutter something to her. It was so fun to watch them interact and have a conversation with others. When he died she had no further will to live and died two weeks later. They were and are great people. Thank you barb for making me think of them. I love how you have taken what I said and blessed others with our thoughts.
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