Bible Discussion Thread

How can I Love God with a holistic devotion with my whole being, love my neighbor as myself, when I struggle loving myself and consider myself an individual not deserving of God's mercies & graces?

I've heard Christians say things like "I can not understand why God would love someone like me." I think that statement is rooted in too high an opinion of self, sort of like Peter's statement to Jesus, "Though all men forsake you I will never forsake you." Peter saw himself as at least as good as or better than the other disciples, which was a misunderstanding of himself and God's word.

The reason I believe saying "I can not understand why God would love a sinner like me" is wrong is because it must either assume I am worse than other sinners, or I cannot understand why God would love any sinners. Either way, that is simply reflecting a lack of understanding that Christians should grow out of.

You are a sinner, true, but so is every other Christian and no Christian is more special or loved than any other believer. There are Christians who walk in disobedience which displeases God but those Christians are still loved by God. I have 8 living children. Some may have more problems than others but I love them all equally as much.

God loves the Christians who walk close to Him as much as He loves the prodigal in the pig pen, but the prodigal in the pig pen is not pleasing God as much as the Christian walking close by His side.

Hello,

Blessings, For god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John: 3.16.. Psalms 139 :18-19, How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake ,I am still with thee.The Love of God overtakes all unworthiness, in Jesus Christ ,to you and all the Lord will remember by you in him by Jesus Christ the way given to mankind to the loving heart of God

Dear, i have to get involved :) even if you have received good answers here. We must not forget that we have received grace. The grace ikke live in has mirrored my wisdom and gives me the power of God to testify, pray for people, be salty, be a fellow human being, it is never in compulsion, but the Lord we test our strength. See where you want to go?

Grace dear "Ms. Jackson" is what we should lean on in difficult situations. And we must never forget and do to others as we want others to treat us. This is so that we will walk wisely without bad thinking. I can see your darkness because I've been there myself. That said, the Lord will help greatly. But if there are unforgivable things, you can only help yourself. Such is the rule. We must forgive ourselves first, to clear and forgive others what injustice they have done to us. Get light now!

And never go back to that dark place! We must capture every thought. In order not to let in evil spirits that distort reality and we are bound in chains of sin and misery that only grow. For example, when we see disease in our ranks, there is a possibility that they have not thrown away evil thoughts. But allowed for example doubt, greed, forgiveness, unloving, even further in their lives. That is why we must read the scriptures every day, For encouragement, for peace of mind, not to allow evil thoughts. But openly to the work of God.

In scripture we learn about Jesus' state of mind the same we should have in all purity! Jesus love you i in Christ. John 7:17

May God bless us abundantly with wisdom and the spirit of revelation so that we all will be able to resist the evil day, as you describe. Start your service in this moment, do not wait, you are valuable and do not forget where you were before.

Consider this scripture. If God forgives u when we confess our sins-ought we not to do the same?

One of Satan's names is ACCUSER. He accuses us and then we accuse ourselves .

When we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness; what does God do with those sins we confessed?

Psalms Chapter 103

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is HIS MERCY toward them that fear him.

12 AS FAR AS the east is from the west, so far has HE removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

note: that is a straight line which is INFINITY. God doesn't keep records of sins we confess and repent of.

Get out of yourself by " Action" doing for those in need. It's what helps me. If you do things already, do more and more. You can say you live your neighbour, but what have you done to show. Like James states faith without works is dead. God judges us on our actions, he knows our intentions and our hearts. When you feel like that you are playing God. God Bless

Matthew 25:31-46, John 12:25, Psalms 139, 1John 4:19, Ephesians 5:29,

Hello Ms. Jackson. If I may consider the second part of your comment first, i.e."I struggle loving myself and consider myself an individual not deserving of God's mercies & graces." "Loving myself" can mean different things to different people. To one, it may mean a lack of self-esteem, often shying away from people. To another, the opposite: believing they're God's Gift to the world, or the world revolves around them. And yet to another, meeting the needs of one's body, mind, emotions, & spirit. If your 'loving yourself, is only confined to 'feeling undeserving of God's Mercies', then you're not alone; if we truly believe that we have sinned & grieved God by our selfish sinful ways & are deserving of nothing but His Anger & Retribution, then that 'feeling' is warranted & given by the Holy Spirit. And yet, we continue to 'love' ourselves by giving due care to our bodies, not only for survival but also for enjoyment of this God-given life.

However, if you have a sense of 'low esteem', then that can arise from a genetic disposition, or even from forces you've faced in your earlier years. I tend to have this sense of having a low regard, not seeing anything of worth about me that would make me of even the slightest value to another person. And yet I know, that in God's Sight, I'm precious, for He has not only sent His Son to pay for the sins of all mankind, but also identified me as one to receive this great blessing of redemption & being fully accepted by Him.

And when I truly understand & believe what has taken place in me by God, my response to Him can only be of real joy & desire to worship Him, please Him, & share His Love with those who would give ear to His Words: 'a devotion with my whole being', as you wrote. And with such love in your heart towards God, with His Holy Spirit continually energizing you produce holy 'fruit' in your life, that love will be manifested also to 'your neighbour'. Let the Spirit work in you to bring out His Fruit of Love to all.

I love what you wrote , my issue is wirh good deeds , acting out my faith , I'm disabled , my neighbours are fitter than I, I am alone in this life, physically with a family who have no time literally and figuratively for me, i have no kids , I can't serve the Lord I love so much , it makes me weep daily , I try and leave encouraging messages and Scripture online , YouTube, FB , Twitter , its the only way of connecting with folk been years since I could go to church I wasted my good years in backsliden sin, now I may physically be useless but I love God , its not easy , no matter who tells you what , no one has been in your shoes or can understand what you are going through but Jesus himself , cast off your cares to Him and pray your heart out , for its our hearts He looks at and deeds that where done not for Him but to gain anything will be burnt up , so even typing this fact has cheered me up, knowing only what was done from a pure heart for Jesus because He changed us and gave us a new heart , will remain and our reards will be based on those deeds , so rather than focus on yourself, you are forgiven you are worthy, focus on Him and even the fact you can breathe, you woke up this morning , thank Him for , and gratitude will help you , take your focus off yourself and into God , its taken this typing to bring me round today for I was upset and struggling, but I now realise it was satan the accusor , the deceiver the liar , don't let him steal the Love you have for Jesus or yourself

Dear Jayne, what you wrote touched my heart.

Many people may be physically alone all day (including myself), but don't necessarily feel alone, so this seems subject to our own interpretation. Since God is with us are we ever truly alone? When we have online communities like this and other social media are we truly alone? I personally think its more difficult to be alone in a crowd than physically alone, but everyone views this differently.

I also believe God made us with different gifts and different roles- some are behind the scenes and some are more in the spotlight. The joy of serving God I think is about being obedient and not seeking human validation or appreciation. Jesus healed people in the spotlight and still hardly received appreciation. Of the 10 lepers He healed only 1 said thank you. 10%, which seems about average from my own volunteer experience. I drifted off topic a bit but in general I think God totally understands our circumstances and we can make the most of it to serve Him, according to the gifts He has blessed us with. We can also frame our circumstances positively as 'tests', as I think such challenges can be used to build our character- a more positive frame than just blaming God.

Something I heard in a movie last night thought was good:

"Why would a loving God allow these tragedies to happen?

Does the Lord want us to suffer?"

"I asked for strength, and God gave my difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom, and God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for courage, and God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for love, and God gave me troubled people to help.

My prayers were answered."

God bless.

Adam, these are good words to us reading here, thanks.

I think the covid ordeal has caused many people to find themselves more isolated than they have ever been before. Some people, like my 88 year old mom, already live out a fairly isolated life and so the covid ordeal has not affected them too much. But others, especially those who are outgoing by nature, may find this period of isolation unbearable. Some who, prior to covid, entertained and fellowshipped with others regularly, and then have had to cease most of this. Each person has needed to adjust in their own situation.

But you are so right, we are never completely alone as a believer, because God is within us! You cannot get any closer than that!

Still, the absence of face to face contact with other people can lead some into depression and loneliness. Perhaps those who know people who are vulnerable to this should make extra efforts to call these people more often and have a real conversation on the phone, not just texting, or do facetime.

For me, an outgoing person who now am home all day, I am learning to be satisfied with being by myself and my husband, who works from home in his office during the day. I am learning to pray more, study God's word more, and research topics that come up on this forum. Participating on this forum has been helpful to me. I am learning to rest in the Lord more.

Just beautiful

Thank you Jayne for sharing a little more of what you have been going through. Indeed, I think of Jesus' Words in Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"; though this verse clearly is to show the value of prayer & spiritual exercise when under temptation, I also see that the same Truth can be applied to those, like yourself, who truly love the Lord & wholly committed to Him, but a physical weakness or lack of abilities prevent that love being manifested as you would like.

But as Giannis has wisely shared, that God even takes our very few resources & uses them mightily, achieving great things, when we give our all to Him & give it only for His Glory. I believe that we can clearly see that in you, by your efforts to make Christ known & bring blessing to others. I know that you want to do much more, but just to rest in God's Care & Guidance, He will then open up new ways to minister to others, ways denied to others because they have not earnestly sought the Lord's Leading. I think of that lovely hymn, 'Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee'; you probably know it - the words can be found on the Web. It truly reflects your heart's desire & such a desire the Lord will not overlook nor can disappoint. Every blessing from Him Who watches & cares for you.

Dear Jaeny

Your story is very encouraging. You remind me of that widow that gave that little she had to God, but it was everything she had. Jesus talked to His desciples about her. God in His Gospels mentions only her, and her story went through millennia till nowdays read and admired by bilions of people, although for sure there would have been many other people that offered huge sums but they were never mentioned in the Gospel. So don't be sad that you can't offer more.

God bless you and for sure a big wage waits for you in Heaven.

Ms. Jackson, pray for God to increase your faith. Faith is what sets our heart at one with God so we can believe his promises and live for him. Faith give access into grace ( Romans 5:2). We receive the Holy Spirit by the hearing of faith ( Galatians 3:2). Faith is the victory that overcomes the world ( 1 John 5:4). When reading the Bible ask yourself if you really belief what it says. Hebrews 11:6 "But with out faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him". Faith precedes grace, the Holy Spirit, imputes righteousness and gives victory. Faith the size of a mustard seed will remove mountains ( Matthew 17:20). Hebrews 11 has good examples of faith and the effects of it.