Ever felt like you have no hope whatsoever in life spiritually and mentally? You pray and read your bible, listen to christian music to uplift your spirit to feel that empty void you have but for some reason it just doesn't work out?
Ever felt like you have no hope whatsoever in life spiritually and mentally? You pray and read your bible, listen to christian music to uplift your spirit to feel that empty void you have but for some reason it just doesn't work out?
Yes.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
__________________ You can't reach the world with your talents. People are sick and tired of religious talents. People need a Holy Ghost annointed church with real fruits to reach out and touch their lives. ~ Pastor Burrell Crabtree
In fact I think that the insinuation of "hateful" Pentecostals is coming mostly from the fertile imaginations of bitter, backslidden ex Apostolics who are constantly trying to find a way to justify their actions. ~ strait shooter
David Wilkerson addressed this in his online devotion for today:
Going Through A Dry Spell
David Wilkerson
Even though I preach to thousands, there are times I feel very dry, far away from the warm presence of God. When I’m dry and empty, I have no great yearning to read the Word and little compulsion to pray. I know my faith is intact and my love for Jesus is strong, and I have no desire to taste the things of this world. It’s just that I can’t seem to touch God for days, maybe even weeks.
Have you ever watched other Christians get blessed while you feel nothing? They testify of God’s answers to their prayers and shed tears of joy. They seem to live on a mountaintop of happy experiences while you just plod along, loving Jesus but not setting the world on fire.
I believe all true believers experience dry spells at various times in their Christian lives. Even Jesus felt the isolation when he cried aloud, “Father, why have you forsaken me?”
Without the nearness of God, there can be no peace. The dryness can be stopped only with the dew of his glory. The despair can be dispelled only by the assurance that God is answering. The fire of the Holy Spirit must heat the mind, body, and soul.
There are times I feel unworthy, like the worst kind of sinner, but in spite of all that, I know he is not far off. Somehow I hear a distinct, small voice calling, “Come, my child. I am aware of all you are experiencing. I still love you and I will never leave you nor forsake you. We will face it together because I am still your Father and you are my child.” I have a flame in me that will not be smothered and I know he will bring me out of any dry spell.
“For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deuteronomy 32:9-10).
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen” (Isaiah 43:19-20).
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Sam also known as Jim Ellis
Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship
Yes, I felt like that a lot. Finally, I realized that following the religion I was in was not God's plan for me. Since I left, I feel much better and happier.
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
I think we've all gone through times when it seems like God is no longer present with us. We don't seem to "feel" His presence. Some used to call this "going through the valley" or "a dry spell." This is the time when we "walk by faith and not by feelings" because we know according to God's Word that He will not abandon us but has promised to be always with us.
I think St. John of the Cross (1542 - 1591) called this "the dark night of the soul."
David Wilkerson addressed this in his online devotion for today:
Going Through A Dry Spell
David Wilkerson
Even though I preach to thousands, there are times I feel very dry, far away from the warm presence of God. When I’m dry and empty, I have no great yearning to read the Word and little compulsion to pray. I know my faith is intact and my love for Jesus is strong, and I have no desire to taste the things of this world. It’s just that I can’t seem to touch God for days, maybe even weeks.
Have you ever watched other Christians get blessed while you feel nothing? They testify of God’s answers to their prayers and shed tears of joy. They seem to live on a mountaintop of happy experiences while you just plod along, loving Jesus but not setting the world on fire.
I believe all true believers experience dry spells at various times in their Christian lives. Even Jesus felt the isolation when he cried aloud, “Father, why have you forsaken me?”
Without the nearness of God, there can be no peace. The dryness can be stopped only with the dew of his glory. The despair can be dispelled only by the assurance that God is answering. The fire of the Holy Spirit must heat the mind, body, and soul.
There are times I feel unworthy, like the worst kind of sinner, but in spite of all that, I know he is not far off. Somehow I hear a distinct, small voice calling, “Come, my child. I am aware of all you are experiencing. I still love you and I will never leave you nor forsake you. We will face it together because I am still your Father and you are my child.” I have a flame in me that will not be smothered and I know he will bring me out of any dry spell.
“For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deuteronomy 32:9-10).
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen” (Isaiah 43:19-20).
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Ok. Never heard of the phrase but sounds interesting. Never thought of it like that.
I am persuaded to embrace the belief that when during those times that it seems as if God has "gotten up and walked away from me," (and there have been many such moments, even days, weeks, and sometimes several months during recent times) that it is then I must always be mindful that He is trying and testing my faih in Him, seeking all the while to draw me even closer to Himself.
God didn't "promise me a rose garden," as the song goes, while I am a resident of this earth, but He has given me an assurance that if I "remain faithful unto death," there is a crown of eternal glory which awaits me.
This is why one must never "walk by sight" (this is to say, by focusing solely upon the events which are taking place around them), but "walk by faith" in God, always bearing at the forefront of our minds His promise to "never leave nor forsake thee."
Hybrid Mode
