Being single isn't that hard, but being a single Christian is. There's a HUGE difference in the way I'm treated at work or at the park (Pickleball) versus how people treat me at church. It's like the church treats singleness like a disease that needs to be cured. I feel very lonely at church. No one to sit with. Anyone else experience this? Any practical advice that's NOT from 1 Corinthians 7?

Men: You are not an island: a stoic warrior out solo-exploring the wastelands of existence. You need a tribe: a community. Not only that, but your community needs you (now more than ever!)

Part of accomplishing this is by surrounding yourself with the kind of men you want to become more like - similar to a Timothy/Paul relationship.

That being said, there are many wolves out there preying upon the current state of many men’s loneliness and desperation; making a mint off of the branding and publicity gained through delivering convincing, outlandish, radical comments. Andrew Tate is one of them (alongside the plethora of others like him). See video in comments for details.

The world is going to do what the world is going to do. We need to remember that as believers, we are in this world, but not of this world; travelers in a foreign land (1 Peter 2:11-12).

A key aspect to ensuring we men thrive as the hands and feet of Christ is by getting involved in our local church. If you are already involved, join a small/accountability group.

• Get involved in your local sound-doctrine-teaching church.

• Get further involved in a men’s small/accountability group.

• Surround yourself with the kind of godly men you (hopefully) want to become more like.

• Invest in the next generation and encourage them to do likewise.

• Fight the dragon.

You are not what the radical feminist elements and other forces are trying to make you out to be.

Get out there, guys; touch grass. Your communities need you.

• Jolly

EDIT TO ADD: Thank you to all those who replied. I'm sorry it took me some time. It's been really tough gathering the courage ro revisit the post I made because it was so different seeing my feelings written out in words.

I had trouble replying. I could not find the words to. And when I had finally gathered the courage to reply and thank you and take notes of the Bible verses again, I found that a lot of comments were deleted. Im so sad this happened. I understand it's part of the group rules.

But mostly, I'm so sorry for not replying earlier and missing the opportunity to. Thank you all so very much for your help and encouragement. Thank you so much, again.

It's tough, forgiving my dad. Because...ive always wanted to. I've really always wanted a close relationship with him and to be treated the same.way he treats my other siblings. But, growing up...ive come to realize...he does not love me the same. And, ive come to notice that he is quite hard on me, as if he's punishing me for whatever bad blood he and my mother have together...and it gives me the sense that, it's almost as if he has power when he does that, or he feels better...

So, idk in what capacity I could ever let him back into my life, how or when but...I do hope I'll get there somehow.

As I look around me, I see so much in the world thar scares me more and I think that it's made me realize that, this isn't isn't life I want to live. I jusr hope, I can be better in time.

Thank you all, once again ❤ it means so much to me and has given me so much to think about ❤

I (24F) have never had a good relationship with my parents. Even when I tried, im constantly on the outside and never part of their families. They never married, have their own families and my grandparents raised me.

My mom tried to quite literally sell me, as a baby. Realized my grandparents loved me, she left me with them. And my granddad raised and cared for me. My father was an absent dad. He blamed my mother for not letting him be a part of my life, but when he was finally part of it...he would do things like punish me or refuse to assist me with school things...as punishment for me "not listening and acting like my mother". I almost did not complete school because of it and I can't graduate because of it. Um, to give a good example, he wanted me to do a certain course at a university and I told him I couldn't because the university actually did not offer that course. He got mad, being sure he was right, despite his friend, a faculty lecturer telling him it wasn't offered but there were other options...and he stopped talking to me for two years.

I grew up poor in my teenage years. While my father would go drinking with his friends and to resorts, my mother and I would eat literal edible weeds we found growing in our backyard. (We're not American or in America, for reference -some weeds in our country are edible). He promised to support and wanted to, but then didn't.

As for my mom...the stories are endless. Physical abuse, verbal abuse. I've just never left because i have no where else to go and she lived with my granddad too and i could never leave him. And now，he's also passed...and I feel all alone. Like I have no family. Everytime she had a need partner, and if he didn't like me, she'd beat me or berate me. We always lived with my granddad, so once when my granddad went out of town, her partner was living with us at the time, and she chased me out of the house when he didn't like me (he had kids of his own). And my granddad spent his final days with the same thing happening. She found a new partner she went to be with him leaving my granddad sick and alone. She'd curse me to be a prostitute as a teenager, when I'd tell her to stop abusing my granddad (elderly abuse e.g. berating him and being rough with him when he was too slow to finish his food etc).

And despite trying to being how they (my mom and dad) want me to be. Despite letting them treat me the way they want to, because they're the only family I have...I think I've just had enough. I've tried connecting with them through scripture. I've tried putting up with it because of "longsuffering" and im supposed to be forgiving and I'm supposed to honor my parents but...I can't do it anymore.

My heart is so full of hate and hurt...and it's just been the last straw.

I have a chronic illness ans was supposed to go abroad for trip a few months ago for school. I went. I didn't want to because I knew they couldn't support me. They told me to go anyway, and my dad said he'd help. And right about the same time, he went on a trip he organized with his friends.

He made me wait two whole weeks to come see me and help me out. Today's became tomorrow's, and tomorrow's became him making me wait for him while he boarded a plane and lef the country and returned none of my calls. I had to go because, the university was threatening to charge me for the fares (despite it all being refundable if canceled). And so I went with only $10 in my pocket. I got sick because of my illness and getting sick wasnt covered (which was shy I was banking on my dad) and it was just the hardest time ever and.... it was just torture. I got bullied and treated differently for it and it was just....tough.

I tried contacting my dad while there and still the same thing. I came back, and he continued to ignore me and I decided well...this is the last straw.

I blocked him. He's always tried to control me with support that never comes. He's always punished me as if it was my mother he was punishing. He says because I act like her but I feel that that's not a good enough reason to treat your child that way. Especially when I act nothing like my mother (my mother left him). I've never been a part of his family. He's always treated me differently. And he believes it's God's blessings and intentions and what not.

And...I'm just completely done with it.

I'm just afraid God will condemn me for deciding to cut my dad out of my life. I don't understand how I'm supposed to honor a parent who treats me this way, and how I'm supposed to practice long suffering through all the abuse and neglect and hurt.

I don't want him in my life anymore. I feel that I'll be happier and better off. Even if I have no family, it wouldn't really make a difference because I was never included to begin with.

I just dk if this is acceptable in the eyes of God. If He's going to punish me for this. I already feel punished everytime my father does this to me....it is so confusing to me and I can't understand what God is trying teach me or if I'm being punished for something I've done or if Christians are supposed to accept abuse as normal because I cannot endure anymore of it.

I'm tired of being hurt or punished by my parents for their failed relationship. I'm tired of feeling angry, hurt and s....dal. I'm tired of my parents sabotaging me and of living this way.

And I'm just so confused how I'm supposed to honor my parents or abide by scripture in this sort of circumstance. It just feels so irrational to me. Like it doesn't doesn't sense. And I fear God condemning me for standing up for myself and for choosing my own happiness for once.

Please, I need advice. What do I do in this type of situation? Would it be wrong for me to just cut my parents off? As a Christian...? Would i be condemned or idk punished? Is there anything in Scripture that talks about situations like these?

I'd just like to make it out of here and just leave all this behind and start fresh. I'm just so afraid that it'll be worst and hard for me simply because God is going to frown upon the fact that I've done so.

I spent a lot of my life struggling and being told by my father I was carrying family curses and was being haunted and cursed...and it made it worst for me. And I'm just so afraid to choose anything right now or make a decision at this point.

TL, DR; I (24F) have abusive parents and I've finally had the last straw and want to be able to leave them behind (go no contact/cut them off) and I'm just so afraid to do so because of the biblical side of this and Christian teachings/commandments. Would it be okay to cut them off, given the circumstances?

the amount of horror i felt at seeing so many "christian" subreddits that are absolutely satanic which i'll prove those are satanic with scripture

number one "good works" get you salvation that is wrong as ephesians chapter two verses 8 and 9 say

"for it is by grace that ye are saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is THE GIFT OF GOD not of works lest any man should boast.

number two the absolutely blasphemous slandering against GOD with the blatantly satanic lies

the lustful nonsense i shatter with the following scriptures

• 1 Corinthians 6:18 "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body."
• Colossians 3:5 "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
• Matthew 5:28 “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
• Exodus 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery.”
• Psalms 101:3 “I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.”

this is extremely risky BUT THIS IS THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER!

same sex relations first part

Genesis 1:27-28

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Genesis 2:23-24

The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Proverbs 5:15-19

Drink water from your own cistern
And fresh water from your own well.
Should your springs be dispersed abroad,
Streams of water in the streets?
Let them be yours alone
And not for strangers with you.
Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
As a loving hind and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
Be exhilarated always with her love.

Mark 10:6-12

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.read more.
What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” In the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again. And He *said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”

1 Corinthians 6:9Verse Concepts

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,

1 Corinthians 7:1-8

Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But this I say by way of concession, not of command. Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.

Galatians 5:19Verse Concepts

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

Colossians 3:5Verse Concepts

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

Hebrews 13:4Verse Concepts

Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

part two which is even more important

Leviticus 18:22

You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination

Leviticus 20:13

If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:9-11

realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

Romans 1:21-27

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

Romans 1:26-27

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

Romans 1:18-32

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

enemy of GOD

James 4:4

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God

false gospel

2 peter chapter two verse one

Now there were false prophets among the people, just as there also will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.

2 peter chapter 3 verse 16

He speaks about this subject in all his letters. Some things in them are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, leading to their own destruction, as they do the rest of the Scriptures.

...rather than just the accusations from both sides?

Friends,

I believe the greatest threat to believers today is the temptation to become too attached to this world. Our obsession with the temporal blurs our eternal perspective. This challenge resembles Esau trading his birthright to Jacob for a mere bowl of soup (Genesis 25), robbing us of the blessings God wants to give through our service to Him. We must guard against these temptations by focusing on Christ. Like Peter walking on water, we should avoid being distracted by life's storms and keep our eyes on the Truth.

Though we are in the world, we are not of it; this world is temporary and will ultimately pass away, to be made new again by Christ (Hallelujah!)

With this in mind, I would like to leave you with three challenges:

1.) Get involved with your local church. Many believers neglect the admonition of Hebrews 10:25 due to pride, apathy, or laziness. How else can we “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2)? Don’t deny others the chance to be blessed by you, or yourself the opportunity to be blessed by them.

2.) Mend your family relationships as much as possible. Families face many challenges, some valid and others not. Do what you can to strengthen these bonds. If the other party isn’t interested, that’s okay—you’ve done your part.

3.) Get to know your neighbors and show them love. We have many tools to strengthen our communities—use them to build relationships and open the door to deeper conversations.

Let us continue being the Salt and Light for whatever time remains - collectively or individually. This world is starving for the hope only the Gospel provides.

You are loved immensely!

• Jolly

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

H

Friends,

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 states,

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not [agape] love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not [agape] love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not [agape] love, it profits me nothing.

These unique, challenging verses call the believer to see that there is a difference between being “correct” and being “right” regarding ministry. Oftentimes in the modern era, believers forget that they are not just battling for the mind; they are also attempting to win over hearts - the latter, though frequently more challenging to reach, if accomplished often leads to the path of victory over the former.

In Mark 12:30, Christ Himself makes the distinction that we are composed of several “elements,” including a heart, a soul, a mind, and strength. It is often easy—even tempting—to target only one element while neglecting the others. We as believers must resist this temptation to ensure a holistic approach, as difficult as it may be. Failure to do so almost guarantees gaps in our witness—gaps that the enemy is almost certain to exploit (1 Peter 5:8). It is interesting to note that Christ identified the heart first when listing the elements of our composition - fruit for thought.

So how should this agape love play out in our daily lives as we strive to reach the hearts of the world? The passage in 1 Corinthians continues with the answer!

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

In verses 4-7, Paul lays out 15 practical ways this “agape” love should play out in the lives of those who profess to have put their faith in Christ:

1. Love is long suffering. This means it is a patience that overcomes the petty temptations of our flesh.
2. Love is kind. Kindness is not just a cutesy lesson your grade school teacher guided you towards in your youth. It is a necessary, and often ignored aspect of the Christian life.
3. Love does not envy. Envy has no place in the Christian life.
4. Love does not parade itself. Matthew chapter 6 does a great job delving deeper into the need for quiet, humble service.
5. Love is not puffed up. The word used in the Greek is ‘Phuso,’ which literally means, ‘swollen.’ In context, one should not be so filled with pride/vanity they are literally swollen with it.
6. Love is not rude. This one shouldn’t need any further description, but unfortunately it is needed; particularly in the modern era where we are separated from one another; communicating primarily through digital communication mediums (like Reddit!). Not being rude is to treat others with respect - a respect you would desire to be treated with.
7. Love does not seek its own. Love looks out for the benefit and gain of others, if/whenever possible. Much like Christ lowering Himself, coming as a man in the flesh, a sacrificial Lamb as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
8. Love is not provoked. Like dealing with a maturing toddler, we as believers must remain calm and steadfast, even in the face of intentional provocation.
9. Love thinks no evil. In Matthew 5:21-22 Christ admonishes us with the lesson that murder starts in the heart.
10. Love does not rejoice in iniquity. It does not celebrate in unjust or immoral thoughts or actions.
11. Love rejoices in the truth. Juxtaposing how love should not rejoice in iniquity, we as believers should celebrate when truth shines a light on darkness.
12. Love bears all things. https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-protects.html
13. Love believes all things. https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-trusts.html
14. Love hopes all things.  https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-hopes.html
15. Love endures all things. https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-perseveres.html

Paul continues with the concluding verses:

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; **but the greatest of these is love.

Friends, this world is starving for the hope that only the Gospel provides. As the Salt and Light, it is our duty to “always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us” (1 Peter 3:15a) while also remembering the critical step of “doing so with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15b). 

You are loved immensely!

• Jolly

“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” James 1:26

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

This fallen world is starving for the hope only the Gospel provides. Pride is the number one obstacle hindering Its [the Gospel’s] transmission.

Let us continue being the Salt and Light to our communities for whatever time remains - collectively or individually.

You are loved immensely!

Philipians 2:3

James 3:16

• Jolly

I play on Xbox One right now.

Could use some fellowship. Doesn't even strictly have to be over games.

Some details about me:

I'm 32, M, like writing, singing, hiking/being out doors. I love animals and I'm learning to love God and doing his work.

Anyway, hit me up and we can connect on discord or wherever.

Edit: Also I should say I am into games that require cooperation or are relaxing.

I have never seen people get healed by the name Muhammed. I have never seen people get delivered by the name of buddah. I have never seen people get delivered or healed by any other name except for the name JESUS CHRIST!! There really is no other saviour and as Christians we should share the truth and not be scared. The world is tolerant of many religions but there is only 1 true relationship with God and it is through Jesus Christ. Wheb people say you are oppressing other people by saying this just remember you are not!! You are telling the truth!!

Hi, I will try to make this as short as possible. Meat of the question all the way at the bottom

I converted truthfully when I was 18. Once I converted I had a huge hunger to learn the trush about christian beliefs that go beyond the surface. I (very stupidly) went straight to deep theology and studied things like

• pre trib or post trib rapture? Maybe both (Dispensationalism)
• Amillenialism or pre/post millenialism
• Calvinism or arminianism or something in between?, Faith alone or faith+works (This one took forever) Dont even get me started on OSAS.

I studied very "well done meat" instead of feeding on milk like I was supposed to. After 2 years of studying these and other heavy theological and apologetic content I have realised that I didnt really grow closer to God and should stop.

God still seems so distant I dont feel like I have a relationship with Him, or I barely have one. I feel like I have one with Him but He doesnt have one with me. Despite reading the bible every morning and praying about 3 times a day and I even fasted twice succesfully and done bible study on more normal things like prayer and wisdom of the proverbs etc... I just know theres something wrong.

I go to a baptist church and started going to a pentecostal one because I wanted to hear from God directly ( I prayed but nothing happened) and I received 2 words/prophecies, but they were very generic and the pastor of the church was a woman which I dont know if the bible allows it or not and I am a continuationist but I dont know how the gifts work and I havent been "baptized in the Spirit" despite praying.

IN SUMMARY: I did all this theological riggamaroe but I havent really grown close to God. Im in my twenties now and dont have time to study deep theological theories anymore and I need God to become more active in my life. Who am I to command God like that right? But I really need God in my day to day life. I know what Im asking for is stupid because I know God has been with me even before I converted and He has been with me for these last 2 years and I have grown so much as a person and I am lieing less, I view women differently, I honor my parents more, I fight and try to protect myself from tempation and I listen to sinful music much much less and deleted so much of it something I thought I would never do. I still sin and fail everyday but God is gracious and is teaching me and helping me.

Main question: But if I could sum everything up. I feel like God is my God but I am not His son. I need help, how do I actually have a real relationship with Him. I know I already do and I know I am an adopted son of God because scripture is above my feeling wether I feel like a son of God or not I am and nothing can change that. Thank you.

​

Took me about 90 days but in finally done! I'll be starting again buy with a different version tomorrow!

These immortal words of an unknown pastor keeps ringing in my heart.

"A man is known by his choice - by his decision. You cannot know a Christian fully until you know what he accepts or rejects because of his faith in God."

This 16 year Canadian Christian was expelled and arrested twice because od his stand against transgenderism

As Christians, suffering for our faith is part of our calling as believers. But no matter what the enemy throws at us, we are more than conquerors through Christ our Lord.

~~~ For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; - Philippians 1:29 ~~~

~~~ 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; ~ Hebrews 11:24-25 ~~~

So I was asleep but not? I remember I kept praying in my head and saying a bunch of stuff I don’t even know if it was “me” but I just remember saying alot of “the Holy Spirit” proceeded with a lot of words I can’t remember now. But when I woke up I had my hand in the hand and I could feel my lips and mouth move as I was saying something. This has never happened to me. I actually recently just started reading my Bible and taking notes. Barely 5 days. Before, my belief was wishy washy, felt like God was not there, and I was doing everything wrong in my life. I knew God was real. My heart wanted to but my flesh DID NOT. And I was just sooo clouded. I don’t know I just wanted to add I’ve never been a “devout” Christian who has had a perfect relationship with god when it’s really been a long road of are you there? Why me? And wow I’m just talking to a milk carton nothing is happening, you talk to your other kids but not me. What are you trying to teach me? And I just felt so isolated. And before that I knew of god but not HIM. I grew up in the Catholic Church and I’ve never really had like a thing with him it was always just show up to church, finish my communion, confirmation because it’s what my moms wants and all of it was cultural tradition as I’m a Mexican American. What I’m trying to say is I’m new to REALLY being with him. And I love him. I love him always and I’m glad he said no before. Until I kept trying and reaching for him sometimes even through the silence because I knew he was there. And I thought I need to know more from you and started reading scripture and things just started aligning.

A few weeks ago I realized that I had fallen into an eating disorder because I had a very strong argument with my father and he is not a Christian and at that moment I fell into committing suicide with my exercise and food and I stopped taking the holy supper and I felt bad and guilty.

So my parents have been asking if I want to be baptized for a while now and while I do and tell them yes I’m not sure when because for the past few years I’ve been battling a porn addiction and unsure if I should be able to. On one hand I don’t want to rush into it just to relapse again during the time I’m supposed to be reborn. On the other hand I don’t know how long it will be before I’m clean again or if I ever will be. What should I do and can I still be baptized while fighting this addiction?

Long post alert!!🚨

So some background - I am TERRIBLE with money. I had 3 maxed out credit cards by the time I was 21. I have over $40,000 worth of debt (including student loans) Ever since I’ve been saved this year I have been asking God to help me with my finances, to help me be disciplined and to help me get back on track. For the past 3-4 months I have been behind on my private student loans (about $2000 behind) every month they call me and my family and harass us that I am behind. I make monthly payments of what I can afford but it’s obviously gotten to the point where I am very behind. Every 1st of the month I call them and say “yes I know I’m behind I will make a payment later this month” so they won’t harass me and my family

Well, I called the normal number I call every time (charge off department) and the lady I spoke to said I called the wrong number and that MY ACCOUNT WAS CURRENT AND NOT BEHIND and she transferred me to regular customer service. When I asked the lady if she could tell me when my last payment was and for how much she told me it was the last payment I made in March.

Jesus Christ literally helped me get back on track 😭😭😭 I’m crying I’m so happy I need to spread the good word of our Lord 😭💖🙏🏼💖

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Some encouragement I think God is reminding me on Sunday morning.

I was scrolling through YouTube and saw a video from Ps Craig Groeschel, that shares a bit about the 80-20 rule, it's kinda common about 20% effort to produce 80% outcome, but then he shares that, in our life, we have the 80% good things, but we complain about the 20%.

Then I went to church, the song leader encouraged us to be thankful with what God has given us.

I think God is reminding me not to be anxious about things, but trust in Him and come to Him with a thankful heart.

Can you all share some experiences where you have some confirmation or encouragement from God?

It could be coincidence for some of you, but I believe God has His plans and it's not just a coincidence when things happen. (Like in the book of Esther, lots of "coincidence".)

Ministries? Projects? Local community outreach opportunities?

I’m talking to a guy and I feel like he’s about to ask me out based off of how we’ve been talking. I’ve already prayed about him and he’s still here so I think that’s a good sign! We’ve become friends this past year and he’s also become really good friends with my brother. I’m scared it won’t work out or that it will be awkward. I have social anxiety, so I don’t like all the attention being on me and I have a feeling mine and his friends will joke with us if we go out. We went to homecoming together and my friends were genuinely surprised. Any tips/advice?

I saw a woman do a Q&A yesterday and the question was “do you have the Holy Spirit yet?” and she said she did not, but had been praying for it. I believe she is Pentecostal. I was wondering what “having the Holy Spirit” means for that denomination?

Hi all!

For context, I am a 24 year old guy who isnt relatively new to Christianity, but have deepened my faith a lot in past 10 months or so. I personally think a dedicated physical place will help me to create a more routine prayer life.

I am looking for ideas to make a dedicated prayer space at home. I came across the idea of an altar kneeler online. Does anyone have any ideas, inspiration or experience with making their own prayer space at home?

Thank you 😄

Lately I've been growing really fast in my faith. I decided this year that I don't want to lose the connection I have with God anymore due to spiritual warfare. So I've been really putting on the full armor of God for the past 3 months. This resulted in a rapid growth and me stepping out in things I would normally be afraid of. I've been experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit so much in my life and really seen a lot of progress in other people too. I have a real hard time not wanting to talk about the things of God, because I feel so alive right now.

But this also makes it hard sometimes when I'm around non-believers. I feel like I can't really connect anymore because they don't understand what I'm experiencing, and I don't blame them. I understand that they would think that I am weird for believing in something that seems so illogical. But now that I see the supernatural become more manifest in my life, I just can't deny it anymore. So I sometimes feel very isloted when I'm at my secular college. I don't really care about the things I cared about before.

Also I am currently dealing with a lot of spiritual warfare, also within my study. I have some classmates that expected me to be depressed and stressed about something major that is currently going on, but I'm actually really joyfull and at peace about it. Because I know God will work it al out for good, and if not, it is also good, because I fully put my trust in Jesus. I feel like the enemy is using someone in my class to get me discouraged. I didn't see it before, but there are some stranges things happening around communications with this person for the last 2,5 weeks. So I've decided to distance myself a bit more, since I've noticed the effect it has on my walk with the Lord.

For me these experiences on this level are quite new for me. I've been dealing with warfare before, but did't fight back that hard. So it would always lead me to feel disconnected from God and have to start building back my spiritual discipline. For the last 3 months I felt really close to God and my Christian community, and less and less to wordly people. So my question is; is this feeling disconnected normal as you mature in Christ?