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125,007 Literary Works • 672,816 Reviews
But now, I've gone 2-3 days without touching my Bible at all, and when I pray, it's only out of habit of praying for my food and such. I don't even talk to God anymore. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I'm not coping well with anything (anxiety or depression) at the moment.
I talked to my Christian teacher about this, and he said the important thing to remember while dealing with things personally was to always stay faithful. It was okay to have times when you don't feel like going to church or reading your Bible.
I'm afraid I've become super unfaithful. Even to the point where I don't want to ask God for help with becoming faithful again, or even helping me cope with the depression because I'm guilty.
Along with that, I'm finding I don't fit into "church culture", or at least the church culture I'm raised in. Which sucks, because that makes me feel like it's my fault again.
(a little larger explanation en-spoilered for trigger warning pertaining to suicide)
Spoiler
A couple of days ago, I went out to somewhat unfamiliar territory and walked around that town. I forgot about my friends, my family, and I forgot about my faith. And I feel guilty in saying it, but it felt so good. Because in that instance, I was able to just be. I was able to let my mind wander into the part that what I believe my church would shame me for.
I hope all of that makes sense, because I'm still totally confused by everything. I feel so lost.
Hebrews 11:6 - "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (KJV)
Faith is obviously an essential need in our walk with God. We can look perfect, act perfect, be baptized, go to church five days a week, constantly bring new converts to the altar, BUT without faith that does not please God.
I was thinking about this verse the other day, and it scared me. A little. I could be the perfect little Christian, but if I don't have faith, what's the point?
I'm not pleasing God.
If anything He might be revolted, maybe ashamed of the fact I call myself a Christian, yet do not please Him.
So... question: what is faith? Or, what do you think faith is?
I feel like people have so many varying answers to this, yet I'm certain God only has one definition of what faith is. So many people will take me to Hebrews 11:1, but I fail to see how that is a definition. Faith is substance, and evidence. It's a very good description, but it's not a definition.
What are your thoughts?
But I do have a thought for today. Something - actually another thing - that eats at my nerves is when people try to justify their actions by saying, "Well, there's not some verse in the Bible that says I can't!" (Or something to that extent). They think that if the Bible doesn't say it in plain black and white, they are excused. And the thing is... that's not true.
Now excuse me for this, but there is not a single verse in the Bible (at least not one that I'm aware of) that states word for word: Thou shalt not rape. But is that bad? A sin? Um - YES! Even society recognizes it as one.
My favorite example to prove my point is with the story of Joseph. Remember that time he was working for Potiphar and Potiphar's wife tried enticing him, and was all, "Joseph, come lie with me." But what did Joseph say? He refused. He said: "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
But woah, woah, woah. Joseph - the 10 Commandments hadn't been given, then. There was no law stating "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Why'd you call it "a sin"? You could have still done it! ... Right?
Actually.
No.
Even if there is no written law, no commandments given, God remains the same! His principles and virtues, what he deems right and wrong never change. Just like his ancestors, Joseph had a great relationship with God. The Lord was with him, the Lord gave him the interpretation of dreams, the Lord made him to prosper. It was this intimacy they had that taught Joseph. He began to know the Lord - what pleased Him, what He deemed good, what He deemed wrong, etc. He didn't need someone to tell him "Thou shalt not commit adultery!" because Joseph already knew. He knew that was unacceptable in the eyes of the Lord.
So, no, there may not be some Bible verse that directly helps prove your point on something to someone, but God's principles are all throughout His Word, and they are what He follows. Once you begin to know Him, you'd be surprised how much it'll help you discern between right and wrong. It surprises me sometimes.
Love you all! <333
This verse sent chills down my spine. Why? Because I'm a visual person. I read, I imagine. And reading this verse painted an extraordinary picture. Our God can walk through parts of the oceans, deeper than any machine can reach, as if they are just your average, carpeted room. And that's just what the oceans are to him; a small room. He lives in an unending universe. An ocean that is hundreds of miles deep and thousands of miles wide is nothing to him but a little room. It's just mind blowing to me.
Pardon me, but... do you actually want to be a glutton? I mean, I don't really know of many people who like being fat, or want to be fat. So, I really don't see why you may be tempted to throw a fit if the Bible is against unhealthiness???
And second of all, the way I see it, gluttony is a sin. The Bible does mention it a couple of times: there's the son in Deuteronomy who's accused of being stubborn, rebellious, a drunkard and a glutton; Proverbs 23:21 says the glutton and drunkard shall come to poverty; Proverbs 25:16 says to only eat as much as is sufficient for us, lest we like... throw up or something.
I noticed the drunkard and glutton are often paired up together. Which probably vexes some peoples souls. Drinking and eating a lot aren't the same thing! they'll yell. Well. Actually. It just might be.
It all comes down to the fact that you're under it's power. It controls you, whether you like it or not. You can't stop eating, and you can't stop drinking. You can't say no. Which is a problem, to me at least. God is supposed to be our Lord, not food. And we are His temple. We're under his authority and lordship - He is our master. We don't let food dictate our lives - "I want more! - that's just plain selfish.
I can certainly see why gluttony is considered an awful thing in the Bible. God has clearly stated that HE is God, and not anything else. So, why bow down in submission, and give in, to these other things? No, it's not right. Food will not be my idol.
Whoops. Got a little carried away there. xD
Sorry, guys. That's just been on my heart.
God bless y'all!
ANYWAY.
This point was brought up about where that bone God used to make the woman was taken from, which I never thought of the significance of before. It was pretty cool.
She was taken from Adam's rib. Close to the heart - influential; under the arm - protected. She was not a foot bone; she is not to be walked upon. She was not an arm bone; she is not to do all the work. She was not a head bone; she is not the ruler.
She is not inferior nor superior. She is a woman.
And if that doesn't make me feel proud to be one, I don't know what does. : )
It was the first day of school. It started out well enough, but this is my first year actually having to drive myself to school (and with it, park). I come late in the day (because I only have one class at my HS), and I ended up spending 10 minutes trying to park because I freaked out. I ended up arriving right on time then.
After school (I waited like 5 minutes so I could leave the parking lot without worrying), I went straight home. I ended up leaving for my baritone lesson, but returning shortly after because I thought I might have a low tire / the car was making weird noises. This put me behind schedule (it ended up being alright) even more, because it takes at least an hour to get to my lesson.
I finally left, and my baritone instructor agreed to push my lesson back 30 minutes (because I had to stop on the way to get gas as well). And, of course it had just rained - so the roads were wet.
I stopped at a place I normally don't get gas often, and while I was waiting for it to finish pumping, a guy rolled up beside me at the other pump (which were fairly close together), and before getting out of the car popped his trunk. Of course this made me think "oh great, well this is the end" because my grandma grew up in Chicago where stuff like that did happen day to day.
So there I was, gripping my keys as he stepped out, and then I noticed something...
He was wearing a shirt that read "I can do all things through Christ". It was one I also had, and it instantly made me want to cry. Something about his presence made me think that he was a follower of Christ, which made me feel... safer. I let out a sigh, turned around, got my receipt, and then ended up driving off. I wish I would've said something like "I like your shirt", but I was too relieved (for some strange reason) that I couldn't.
So what I wanted to say to the man: "I like your shirt, sir. I know you don't know it, but I've had a frustrating and nerve-wracking day (and week). I worry at night often, which makes me sometimes wonder not where God's at, but why he isn't doing anything to stop my worrying and anxiety. But your shirt made me realize that He is still with me, and He IS still helping me. And I know it may seem silly, but I'm glad God led you to this gas station, and led you to wear that shirt. Because of you, I was reminded. Thank you."
My dad has lately been extremely obsessed with this quote:
I find it rather encouraging.
Some days I think I hate this life, but oh my, when we're with Him... It will be worth it.
I often hear people say how unworthy they are of God, and all he's done in their life. I mean, think about it. He saved you, redeemed you, washed your sins away. Some days I feel a little unworthy of it all, too.
But flip that thought around.
Is he worthy of you? Of your praise and worship? Of you giving it all to him: your thoughts, your hours of the day, your habits and behavior. Your life!
Yes. Of course he is. He's God.
But how much do you think He's worthy of?