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Powerless? - 2/3/2010 9:07:47 AM
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browneyes222
Posts: 110
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I attended a group at a church recently and got book one. Got home and read that step one states admitting we are powerless. We are incapable without God to do this journey. Full surrender of everything to God. Scary. I want to give all the chains that bind me and the heavy stress that bind me, but something about reading this scares me. Me not in control at all and me not being able to fix leaves me well I don’t know.
Am I the only one feeling uneasy about admitting I lack power or control?
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 9:42:33 AM
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didymus101
Posts: 1224
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Browneyes, for now I will only say that you are in a perfect place. If this concept of being powerless has affected you this strongly, spirit is truly working in you. I have been aound the The Twelves steps for twenty-five years. Very few realize so soon and with such honest dread what it means to die to self. Most, in fact, treat this either with a little skepticiism or a lot. And there are those, of course, who do not really see what Step One is actually saying.
Now is a good times to get on your knees and pray for guidance and strength in Christ. Be as open and receptive as you can to the power of the Holy Spirit in getting "the eyes to see." You have been blessed with a precious insight and beginning. As I have come to realize over these years, it is not about mustering our will to overcome as it is taking that dare to open our hearts to God. God is spelt r-i-s-k.
In a full surrender to God, all we are really giving up is what burdens our soul and what has unnecessarily complicated our lives.
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 10:29:18 AM
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Christdefender1
Posts: 45
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Think of the story of Jonah in the Bible. Jonah's disobedience to God led to all kinds of trouble for him. All the people that don't put their trust in God will eventually come to ruin before they put their full trust in Him. That's just a fact, and I have seen it happen before.
_____________________________
"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it."-Voltaire
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 1:50:34 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 712
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
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"Because of the surpassing greatness of [His] revelation, there was given me a limitation to keep me from exalting myself! For He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you for My power is refined in weakness." Most gladly then, I will glory in my weakness so that the power of Christ may contrast in me. Therefore, I can be content with my lack, my insult, distresses and difficulties for Christ's sake; for when I am weak then I am strong."(2Corithians 12:7,9,10 )
We derive our sense of power(or lack)as we develop our obedience skills to rely on the resources of the HS and vulnerability to it .
_____________________________
'No man can do a great and enduring work for God who is not a man of prayer and
no man can be a man of prayer who doesn't give much time to praying.' E.M. Bounds
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 1:57:26 PM
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lithium_doll420
Posts: 62
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thats pretty much exactly how i feel... and its that kinda stuff that has scared me away from being more involved with the church... the way it is now i pretty much watch from the sides
i have faith and i believe in jesus and god and whatnot... but ive always seen the bible more as a set of guidelines... i'm very independent, and i'm a free thinker, so the kinda stuff you're talking about does make me a bit uncomfortable
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 6:33:07 PM
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jn1010lf
Posts: 694
Joined: 4/20/2005
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Hello browneyes222
Perhaps you might want to ponder this question? Whose wisdom is perfect, man's or God's? You may have gained a great deal of wisdom from life's experiences but scripture says that only God's ways are perfect.
Can you fix the world? No. But what if more people believed God and let Him call the shots? Think about that?
Don't worry. It's perfectly safe to let God do it. He really knows what He is doing.
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 8:04:34 PM
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LivingParadox
Posts: 685
Joined: 2/28/2007
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I was listening to the radio today and heard Switchfoot's ALWAYS from the album Hello Hurricane that had a really good line caught my attention about this very thing...
Hallelujah, I'm caving in
Hallelujah, I'm in love again
Hallelujah, I'm a wretched man
Hallelujah, every breath is a second chance
also included a link to the youtube video to hear it in context.
Always - video
_____________________________
Psalms 63
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 8:19:57 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 963
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: browneyes222
I attended a group at a church recently and got book one. Got home and read that step one states admitting we are powerless. We are incapable without God to do this journey. Full surrender of everything to God. Scary. I want to give all the chains that bind me and the heavy stress that bind me, but something about reading this scares me. Me not in control at all and me not being able to fix leaves me well I don’t know.
Am I the only one feeling uneasy about admitting I lack power or control?
Not at all. But honestly, the sooner you realize this... the better. We don't have the power to change, or to free ourselves from the chains that bind us, or to save ourselves, or to free ourselves from the burdens of this world. That is simply the truth... yet extremely hard to grasp. We do want to be in control of everything and at all times.
I look at it this way... I lived my life my way, in control, for 31 years. I made a giant mess which I am still trying to work my way out of... with His help of course. I only wish this was something I would have known and believed way back when. Life may still not have been perfect, but I truly doubt it would have been any worse.
If you want to walk with God, you will need His help. We have enemies that are out to destroy us, and are powerless to stop them. So again, the quicker you come to grip with this, the better off you will be.
May God bless you and keep you.
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
http://followtheleader-mat1624.blogspot.com/
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 8:39:17 PM
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Walker311
Posts: 827
Joined: 4/11/2005
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quote:
Me not in control at all and me not being able to fix leaves me well I don’t know.
What makes you think that you are in control? You are powerless!
Joh:15:5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 10:45:14 PM
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browneyes222
Posts: 110
Joined: 10/4/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: didymus101
Browneyes, for now I will only say that you are in a perfect place. If this concept of being powerless has affected you this strongly, spirit is truly working in you. I have been aound the The Twelves steps for twenty-five years. Very few realize so soon and with such honest dread what it means to die to self. Most, in fact, treat this either with a little skepticiism or a lot. And there are those, of course, who do not really see what Step One is actually saying.
Now is a good times to get on your knees and pray for guidance and strength in Christ. Be as open and receptive as you can to the power of the Holy Spirit in getting "the eyes to see." You have been blessed with a precious insight and beginning. As I have come to realize over these years, it is not about mustering our will to overcome as it is taking that dare to open our hearts to God. God is spelt r-i-s-k.
In a full surrender to God, all we are really giving up is what burdens our soul and what has unnecessarily complicated our lives.
I'm glad you posted! What you wrote encouraged me and I need encouragement. I asked the Lord in my heart when I was young and over the years I have fallen short. I am finding though that I am often calling out to the Lord for his help and to the point that I can't do this on my own.
What I can see and know reading that book, step one is that I have surrendered some but not all. I don't know that I am even capable of surrendering it all on my own. So, I would say I need God to help me with that too. I need more than l like to admit. It's not easy when you realize you have lived fixing, controlling and doing everything to protect yourself all your life. Then come to a pint of admitting you are powerless. Man. I want to, oh I want to be free atlast.
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 10:58:05 PM
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browneyes222
Posts: 110
Joined: 10/4/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jn1010lf
Hello browneyes222
Perhaps you might want to ponder this question? Whose wisdom is perfect, man's or God's? You may have gained a great deal of wisdom from life's experiences but scripture says that only God's ways are perfect.
Can you fix the world? No. But what if more people believed God and let Him call the shots? Think about that?
Don't worry. It's perfectly safe to let God do it. He really knows what He is doing.
God is perfect and he is the wisest. No, I can't fix the world and can't fix myself apparently either. I accepted God in my life growing up and totally know we are all in need of a savior. I need him for sure.
That safe thing you touched on above I think is one big key to my struggles. I have experienced alot of unsafe people when I was a child and some more as a adult, so I think I have created certain mechanisms to keep myself safe. So, though I know God is safe it's hard to accept fully anyone as safe. I want to, I do. I'm challenged though.
Safety is big for me and the idea of being powerless, well it's scary.
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 11:05:50 PM
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browneyes222
Posts: 110
Joined: 10/4/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LivingParadox
I was listening to the radio today and heard Switchfoot's ALWAYS from the album Hello Hurricane that had a really good line caught my attention about this very thing...
Hallelujah, I'm caving in
Hallelujah, I'm in love again
Hallelujah, I'm a wretched man
Hallelujah, every breath is a second chance
also included a link to the youtube video to hear it in context.
Always - video
Thanks. 
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RE: Powerless? - 2/3/2010 11:09:53 PM
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browneyes222
Posts: 110
Joined: 10/4/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
quote:
ORIGINAL: browneyes222
I attended a group at a church recently and got book one. Got home and read that step one states admitting we are powerless. We are incapable without God to do this journey. Full surrender of everything to God. Scary. I want to give all the chains that bind me and the heavy stress that bind me, but something about reading this scares me. Me not in control at all and me not being able to fix leaves me well I don’t know.
Am I the only one feeling uneasy about admitting I lack power or control?
Not at all. But honestly, the sooner you realize this... the better. We don't have the power to change, or to free ourselves from the chains that bind us, or to save ourselves, or to free ourselves from the burdens of this world. That is simply the truth... yet extremely hard to grasp. We do want to be in control of everything and at all times.
I look at it this way... I lived my life my way, in control, for 31 years. I made a giant mess which I am still trying to work my way out of... with His help of course. I only wish this was something I would have known and believed way back when. Life may still not have been perfect, but I truly doubt it would have been any worse.
If you want to walk with God, you will need His help. We have enemies that are out to destroy us, and are powerless to stop them. So again, the quicker you come to grip with this, the better off you will be.
May God bless you and keep you.
My way of doing it has stressed me out to the max! My way hasn't worked I acknowledge that for sure. I have asked God not to give up on me.
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RE: Powerless? - 2/5/2010 3:32:31 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 7710
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: browneyes222
My way of doing it has stressed me out to the max! My way hasn't worked I acknowledge that for sure. I have asked God not to give up on me.
James says that if we lack wisdom; then ask for it.
Then follow after the Spirit and not after the flesh.
Souds really simple, because it is.
Don't forget to use the owner's manual (The New Testament).
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Powerless? - 2/5/2010 4:36:01 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2099
Status: offline
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browneyes222,
A great psalm to read when you realize who 'you' are and what 'you' have done (tried living in your own strength, depending on your self rather than the Lord which is just another way of saying SIN) is Psalm 51. This is a psalm that David wrote and prayed after his sin with Bathsheba.
But the part I am thinking of as I listen to you is verse 12 "and sustain me with a willing spirit". That needs to always be our prayer. . . that 'want to'. We are dependent on the Lord for even the 'want to'.
We so easily deceive ourselves and begin to think 'I can do it' again. But the path to power, to His power, is to stay in that place of perfect dependence. And we do that through fellowship/communion with Jesus, on our knees in prayer and asking Him to be our All in All.
I can't but He can. And if I ask, He will give me the 'want to', the willing spirit, and He will defeat every enemy. . . with the first and foremost being my self reliance.
Powerless? I am in the flesh. But Christ in me is Mighty! So fix your eyes on Him. Believe all He says. Immerse yourself in His word and allow His word to do it's mighty work in you. And the result? You will be conformed to the image of Jesus. That's what you have been predestined for (Romans 8:29). In fact, you might just read the 8th chapter of the book of Romans. It is one of the finest and best books in all of scripture and it will encourage your heart immensely.
Fall on your knees, browneyes222, and He will raise you up! Praying for you, Liveloved
_____________________________
Liveloved
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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RE: Powerless? - 2/5/2010 4:57:27 PM
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lithium_doll420
Posts: 62
Joined: 2/3/2010
Status: offline
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maybe the rest of you have no control over your own lives, but i do, and you can pull up whatever bible verses you want, nothing is going to make me believe otherwise
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RE: Powerless? - 2/5/2010 5:06:07 PM
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KaptZ
Posts: 643
Joined: 10/28/2009
From: The swamps of Jersey
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lithium_doll420
maybe the rest of you have no control over your own lives, but i do, and you can pull up whatever bible verses you want, nothing is going to make me believe otherwise
Why so defensive? If they believe God works differently in their lives why should it bother you?
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RE: Powerless? - 2/5/2010 6:07:56 PM
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Kat_D
Posts: 2050
Joined: 9/2/2005
From: Where We Shake, Rattle & Roll!
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lithium_doll420
maybe the rest of you have no control over your own lives, but i do, and you can pull up whatever bible verses you want, nothing is going to make me believe otherwise
Yeah, just keep tellin' yourself that, Sparky.
Someone much wiser than me once said, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall."
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: Powerless? - 2/5/2010 6:42:32 PM
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CMT8808
Posts: 915
Joined: 9/4/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: browneyes222
My way of doing it has stressed me out to the max! My way hasn't worked I acknowledge that for sure. I have asked God not to give up on me.
James says that if we lack wisdom; then ask for it.
Then follow after the Spirit and not after the flesh.
Souds really simple, because it is.
Don't forget to use the owner's manual (The New Testament).
Thanks
RC
I would not ask the Lord for wisdom, but I would ask Him for His Wisdom
Asking the Lord foryour own wisdom brings much sorrow just as asking Him for your own patience brings tribulation.
CMT
_____________________________
formerly Delete 123
Never Underestimate the Power of God
Romans 8:28, Proverb 3:5
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RE: Powerless? - 2/5/2010 11:13:50 PM
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Ignited-Faith
Posts: 123
Joined: 2/22/2008
Status: offline
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At Church one day I heard a friend give a testimony.
She and her family were going on a trip driving in their van.
They grew tired and stopped for lunch, and soon were on the road again...
A short time later they were driving off the road, through
some woods, and landed in a Lake. They were all rescued.
She said she had bruises the size of paper plates!
She found out later that her husband had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Some eyewitnesses's said they saw their Van swerve off the road,
and looked as if Angels lifted it carried it through the woods, without hitting any trees! Then it landed in the Shallow part of the Lake, just a few feet from a previous accident.
Apparently, just a week before, another family had driven off the
road, tearing down trees, landing in the deep part of the Lake, and the family parished. My friend said one thing struck her from all of this:
She always believed that she was totally in control of her life.
She did certain things, and she didn't do certain things...
Now all of a sudden truth hit her. (She couldn't prevent the
accident from happening.) And she realized, she didn't really
ever have control of anything! Only God does.
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RE: Powerless? - 2/6/2010 10:41:03 AM
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rcjames
Posts: 7710
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CMT8808
I would not ask the Lord for wisdom, but I would ask Him for His Wisdom
Asking the Lord foryour own wisdom brings much sorrow just as asking Him for your own patience brings tribulation.
Whatever, But Scripture instructs us;
(Jas 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
(Jas 1:6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
(Jas 1:7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
(Jas 1:8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Powerless? - 2/6/2010 10:46:40 AM
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rcjames
Posts: 7710
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ignited-Faith
At Church one day I heard a friend give a testimony.
She and her family were going on a trip driving in their van.
They grew tired and stopped for lunch, and soon were on the road again...
A short time later they were driving off the road, through
some woods, and landed in a Lake. They were all rescued.
She said she had bruises the size of paper plates!
She found out later that her husband had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Some eyewitnesses's said they saw their Van swerve off the road,
and looked as if Angels lifted it carried it through the woods, without hitting any trees! Then it landed in the Shallow part of the Lake, just a few feet from a previous accident.
Apparently, just a week before, another family had driven off the
road, tearing down trees, landing in the deep part of the Lake, and the family parished. My friend said one thing struck her from all of this:
She always believed that she was totally in control of her life.
She did certain things, and she didn't do certain things...
Now all of a sudden truth hit her. (She couldn't prevent the
accident from happening.) And she realized, she didn't really
ever have control of anything! Only God does.
And what? God is hanging out around that lake just chunking vehicles into it?
Or at times does stuff just happen in our fallen world?
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Powerless? - 2/6/2010 5:48:12 PM
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Ignited-Faith
Posts: 123
Joined: 2/22/2008
Status: offline
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RC, It's true, we live in a fallen world. Yet God has all power over everything. I believe she ment that unless the LORD says so, she (we)
can't even take another breath.
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RE: Powerless? - 2/8/2010 3:15:25 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 963
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lithium_doll420
maybe the rest of you have no control over your own lives, but i do, and you can pull up whatever bible verses you want, nothing is going to make me believe otherwise
Lithium... it is not that we don't have power in our own lives... it is that in our own power, our lives are a disaster waiting to happen. There is no peace, no joy, no true happiness in a life without God.
And yes, I have lived a life under my own power and made a mess out of it. And yes, I have lived a life with no purpose to it that had some fun times, some joyful times, and some happiness. Key word being SOME.
But a walk with God promises new joy every day. A real purpose for living this life, and the promise of heaven when we take our last breath.
So I would rather live with God in control and live by Faith, then live with me in control, and live in misery.
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
http://followtheleader-mat1624.blogspot.com/
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RE: Powerless? - 2/8/2010 11:16:23 PM
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Reform_Dave
Posts: 913
Joined: 6/14/2009
From: Where the mountains touch the sky.
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lithium_doll420
maybe the rest of you have no control over your own lives, but i do, and you can pull up whatever bible verses you want, nothing is going to make me believe otherwise
You can only say this because God has been gracious with you, but you do not give God His due honor for it and have made an idol of your own self. It is not matter of if, but when, God decides to humble your proud heart.
_____________________________
If the Gospel were more clearly and faithfully preached, fewer would profess to believe it.- A.W. Pink
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