5. "Sometimes I am afraid that I am predestinated to be damned; if so, I can do nothing to alter my terrible case."
No one was ever predestinated to be damned. Predestination is a precious truth of inestimable value and comfort, when rightly understood. Will you not turn to your Bible and read for yourself in the only two chapters in which this word "predestinate" or "predestinated" is found? The first is Romans 8:29,30â€""For whom He did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
The other chapter is Ephesians 1. In verse 5 we read: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." And in verse 11, it says: "Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."
You will note that there is no reference in these four verses to either heaven or hell, but to Christlikeness eventually. Nowhere are we told in Scripture that God predestinated one man to be saved and another to be lost. Men are to be saved or lost eternally because of their attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36). Predestination means that some day all the redeemed shall become just like the Lord Jesus! Is not this precious? Do not try to make a bugaboo out of that which was intended to give joy and comfort to those who trust in the Saviour. Trust Him for yourself, and you will know that God has predestinated you to be fully conformed to the image of His Son."
For my husband. He is stuck in a very sinful lifestyle, drinking, lying, staying away from home all the time. The Lord has told me quite specifically what kind of plans He has for my husband and this was 6 years before I ever knew he existed (hubby, not God). He's so full of self-justification and pride that he doesn't think he's doing anything wrong. However, I feel that deep in his heart of hearts, he knows that he has to come to repentance before the Lord or he won't be allowed to take part in any of God's promises. In my dreams last night, I heard him calling out to the Lord. In the dream, he was on the front porch and I was in the living room and the front door was open so I heard him. He was crying and praying for God to forgive him and deliver him. I don't remember the exact words of the prayer but I fell on my knees and began to pray with him. And then, I woke up. I feel that God is getting ready to do some amazing things with him. We watched The Passion of the Christ for the first time Saturday night and he told me yesterday that he wanted to watch it again before I took it back to the library. Pray that God would use the movie as a tool, I think he already is, to convict his heart and cause him to see his selfishness.
Thank you so very much. I love you, my friends! God bless and Agape, Annie
LATER: He is watching the movie again as we speak. He's not as engrossed as the first time we watched it but we know that God's word does not go out void! The first time God spoke to me, He told me that I would be a sunday school teacher and that I would be married to a preacher. I thought that I had gotten saved that day but I now realize that God was simply informing me that I would be His. I went on to commit terrible sin and even to deny God for several years, all while thinking I was saved because the preacher had told me to repeat after him when I went to the altar. After my husband and I had been dating a while, we were sitting around the supper table at his parent's house talking about God and religion. His mama said that he had been called to preach when he was a teenager. Imagine my surprise! Especially considering the lifestyles that we both had been living. We got married a few months later and God gave me a truly repentant heart and saved my soul just a few years ago. Now, I am starting to see that what God told me will come to pass. I just don't know what we'll have to go through to get there. But, I know that He holds our very breath in the palm of His hand. I will wait upon Him.
You do not become a Christian by anything you do. You do not become a Christian by being a member of a church. You do not become a Christian by being sincere. You do not become a Christian by anything you say.
The Bible says,
Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
Matthew 3 1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew 11:19-21 (King James Version) King James Version (KJV) Public Domain
19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just (this meaning just in their own hearts) persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do you notice a common thread here? The Bible clearly teaches that repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ is the way to salvation. Nowhere in the Bible can you find that if you repeated a prayer after someone you will be saved. It doesn't work that way! I know because I repeated that prayer and "accepted Jesus" many years ago. I then went on to commit terrible sin against God and even to deny the existence of God, all while thinking I was "saved". How horribly terrified I was when God brought me to the place of repentance and caused me to see what I had done. I know that had I died, thinking I was saved, I would have burned in hell for all eternity.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Oh, I was all of those things and worse! But, in His infinite mercy, God chose to give to me the gift of the Spirit that comes from the hearing of faith.
Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
If you have not yet come to the place of repentance, I beseech you to find a Bible-teaching church where you can hear the word of God and/or a study partner who is just and faithful that will help you learn of God's holiness and will lovingly help you to see that your sin is an abomination to God.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Do this before it's too late!
Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
This is a very enlightening video about the effects of music on our youth. I would also like to include a link to a webpage giving testimonies of young people about the influence "christian" rock has had on them. Testimonies of Young People Who Left Christian Rock God bless and Agape, Annie
God woke me up in the middle of the night on Saturday April 28, 2007 with a burden for a man I don't know. His wife's mother is a member of our church, his wife, Rosemary, comes to church occasionally (I don't know if she's a member of another church or what.) She always requests prayer for her husband, Bill, who is not saved, sometimes he has physical needs but always the need for salvation. Saturday night, I dreamed that a man had died and in my dream I asked who the man was and they told me, "Bill ???" sounded like Blevins or something. I thought, "Oh, no, that's Rosemary's husband, I hope he got saved." I woke up thinking I don't know their last name, maybe it wasn't him but God convicted my spirit of it and when I woke up later that morning, I knew that God wanted me to pray for this man. That's all I could think about all morning. I got to church and asked Sister Christine, his mother-in-law, what his last name was. It's not Blevins but very similar, it's Williams (which could have very easily sounded like Blevins to a sleepy, dreaming mind.) Well, I asked how he and Rosemary were doing and she proceeded to tell me how badly he needs my prayers and how he used to play music for the Lord and one day he just walked out and never looked back. God was probably dealing with him over the issue of salvation and maybe it scared him, I don't know, maybe God asked him to do something that he wasn't willing to do. I do know that God has plans for this man, why else would he ask me to pray for him??? I don't feel like I can pray for my own husband effectively much less someone else's but I know that God is in control and if He wants me to pray for Bill, I will pray for Bill. Will you guys join me? I know in advance that you will and I love you all so very much. I feel that my family has been enlarged by this site. I appreciate all the prayers, advice, and enlightenment that you guys are always willing to share in this body of Christ, ChristUnion. God bless and Agape, Annie
How Are Christians Supposed to Look at Dating? There is all kinds of advice out there about dating today, but a lot of it is about dating in the world. Christians need to have a different attitude toward dating. However, even among Christians there are differences as to whether you should or should not date. The choice is up to you and your parents, but you should still know God’s perspective on dating.
Non-Christians have a different perspective on dating. You see the magazines, TV shows, and movies that tell you how you’re young, and you should date a lot of people before you get married. You see certain “role models” jumping from one dating relationship to another.
Yet God has more in store for you than just jumping from one relationship to another. He is clear on whom you should date and why you should date. As a Christian, you live according to a different standard â€" God’s. Yet it’s not just about following the rules. There are some solid reasons why God asks us to live a certain way, and dating is no different.
Why Should You Date (Or Not Date)? While most people have differing opinions about dating, it is one area of the Bible where there is not a lot of information. However, you can get some idea of God’s expectations from certain scripture verses:
Genesis 2:24: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (NIV)Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (NIV)1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (NIV)These three scriptures give insight into the dating life of a Christian. We need to realize that God means for us to meet the ONE person that we are meant to marry. According to Genesis, a man will leave home to marry one woman to become one flesh. You do not need to date a lot of people â€" just the right one.
Also, we need to guard our hearts. The word “love” is thrown around with little thought. Yet, we often live for love. We live for God’s love first and foremost, but we also live for the love of others. While there are many definitions of love, 1Corinthians tells us how God defines love.
It is love that should drive us to date, but it should not be the shallow version of love. When you date it should be taken seriously. You should know the person you are dating and know their beliefs.
You should check your potential boyfriend against the values listed in 1Corinthians. Ask yourself if the two of you are patient and kind to one another. Are you envious of one another? Do you boast about one another or to each other? Go through the characteristics to measure your relationship.
Only Date Believers God is pretty picky on this one, and the Bible makes this issue very clear.
Deuteronomy 7:3: “Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons” (NIV)2Corinthians 6:14: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (NIV)The Bible seriously warns us about dating non-Christians. While you may not be looking at marrying anyone at the moment, it should always be in the back of your head. Why get involved emotionally with someone that you should not marry? This does not mean you cannot be friends with that person, but you should not date them.
This also means that you should avoid “missionary dating,” which is dating a non-believer in the hopes that you can convert him or her.
Your intentions may be noble, but the relationships rarely work out. Some people have even gotten married to non-believers, hoping that they can convert their spouse, but often the relationships end up in disaster.
On the other hand, some people believe that interracial dating is inappropriate due to the scriptures that tells Christians to avoid being yoked to non-Christians. However, there is actually nothing in the Bible that prohibits dating people of other races. The Bible places more emphasis on dating fellow Christians. It is culture and society that place an emphasis on race.
So make sure you are only dating those who share your beliefs. Otherwise you may find that your relationship is a struggle rather than a joy.
Be careful of recreational dating, where you date for the sake of dating. God calls us to love one another, but the scripture is clear that He asks us to be careful. While love is a beautiful thing, the breaking off of relationships is hard. There is a reason they call it a “broken heart.” God understands the power in love and the damage a broken heart can do. This is why it is important for you to really pray, know your heart, and listen to God when you decide to date.
This article came from an awesome website that all you Christian teens should check out for yourselves.Christian Teens
Just found out yesterday my father in law may have a tumor causing his gallbladder to not work right. He goes TODAY for more testing, they're going to run a scope down to see what's going on down there. He's been really sick to his stomach and his skin started getting a little yellow this past week. He's quitting smoking, too, so he's really having a hard time. He also has skin cancer and has just recently had to undergo alot of radiation treatments, he finished these up just before Christmas and he still has a place on his lip that just won't go away from that. Just pray that God would reach down here and touch his body and heal him of all this. Also, that God would renew his strength, he's been pretty down spiritually as well. And that God would touch the family and help them to bind together for the good of this precious man of God. Amen!
Update: They did find a tumor on his pancreas. It is shutting off the bile duct so they are going to go in today and put a stint in the duct so his body can get rid of the bile. That's what's causing him to be sick and yellow-looking. Tomorrow, Thursday, they are going to biopsy the tumor to try and see what it is and if it has spread. They said if it has spread, there's nothing they can do for him, if it hasn't, they should be able to remove it. His name is Donnie Thomas. Just keep praying. I know that he's in God's hands. The main thing is to pray for peace of mind for him and the entire family through this ordeal whatever the outcome. Thank you for all your prayers and thank you to all who have already responded to this request. I do appreciate each and every one of you, I just don't have time right now to write to each one individually! God bless and I love you guys!
The story is told of two brothers. One grew up to become a big-time professional man, and the other became a farmer. The first brother was “Mr. Big Stuff.” Nobody could tell him anything. One day he visited his brother on the farm and said, “Brother, when are you going to make something of yourself? When are you going to get a name?” The farmer looked at him and said, “Do you see those stalks of wheat over there in my field? There is something interesting about that wheat. The stalks that are standing straight up have nothing in their heads. The ones that have something in their heads are bowing down to the ground.” Satan tried to become “Mr. Big Stuff” in the universe. He tried to stand up against God, but God laid him low. The people who know who they are and who God is lay themselves low before Him.
Just found out yesterday my father in law may have a tumor causing his gallbladder to not work right. He goes TODAY for more testing, they're going to run a scope down to see what's going on down there. He's been really sick to his stomach and his skin started getting a little yellow this past week. He's quitting smoking, too, so he's really having a hard time. He also has skin cancer and has just recently had to undergo alot of radiation treatments, he finished these up just before Christmas and he still has a place on his lip that just won't go away from that. Just pray that God would reach down here and touch his body and heal him of all this. Also, that God would renew his strength, he's been pretty down spiritually as well. And that God would touch the family and help them to bind together for the good of this precious man of God. Amen!
Update: They did find a tumor on his pancreas. It is shutting off the bile duct so they are going to go in today and put a stint in the duct so his body can get rid of the bile. That's what's causing him to be sick and yellow-looking. Tomorrow, Thursday, they are going to biopsy the tumor to try and see what it is and if it has spread. They said if it has spread, there's nothing they can do for him, if it hasn't, they should be able to remove it. His name is Donnie Thomas. Just keep praying. I know that he's in God's hands. The main thing is to pray for peace of mind for him and the entire family through this ordeal whatever the outcome. Thank you for all your prayers and thank you to all who have already responded to this request. I do appreciate each and every one of you, I just don't have time right now to write to each one individually! God bless and I love you guys!
