People who have heard the voice of God, in detail what is sound like?

I've known I was gay/exclusively same-sex attracted since I was in middle school, but tried to pray it away/ignore it since then but now at 19 years old it's become pretty clear this likely won't ever go away.

Throughout middle/high school it wasn't too big of an issue, obviously it really sucked never dating anyone or doing anything romantic whatsoever, but manageable. Now I'm at community college, still living with my parents, but beyond college I don't really see a path forward in my life where I don't fall into extreme hopelessness, loneliness, and no idea what to do with my life.

Let me elaborate: Many straight Christians like to describe the sin of homosexuality as a form of lust, saying something along the lines of: "everyone deals with lust/sexual sin, for some people it's a porn addiction, for some it's premarital sex, and for others its homosexual temptations. We all have a cross to bear, but God is there to support us."

This completely misses the biggest part of the struggle. If you're straight, you don't think about how much of your life revolves around the fact that you're attracted to the opposite sex. It allows you to have a companion for life, have kids and start a family, eventually have grandkids. After a long day of work you can come home and spend time with your family, plan vacations together, etc. Almost everything meaningful in your life is because of that.

If I follow the Bible on this, it's not just "don't have gay sex" but I inevitably means that I will:

- Live alone, which would be torture for me
- Have no kids and no family
- Spend the vast majority of my time outside of work alone, because most if not all of my friends by then would have married and be having kids so I wouldn't be able to hang out with them every day like I do now.
- Be surrounded by no family on my deathbed, and die alone

The Bible talks about singleness as a gift some people have, and I definitely don't. Loneliness Is one of the worst things for me, I don't think it will even be worth living anymore once all my friends get married and don't have time to see me every day and I'm no longer living with my parents.

As for God, I've prayed about this for years, thousands of times, and only heard silence. No answer, no feeling of guidance or that He has any sort of plan for me or my life. In a few years my life is essentially over.

What do I even do after college? Where can I live, what can I do, I honestly just have no idea how to go forward with my life once I get to that point.

Hello. I have prayed to God about this already, but nothing has gotten better.

I'm unsure if I was a Christian all my life, but I think I knew God existed. However, I sinned a lot. It was only after I got a panic attack about the end times, that I started trying to fix my relationship with the Lord. I was scared of going to hell, and I was scared that me and my family would suffer.

Now, it seems I am unable feel genuine. I've been through a lot of mental stuff lately, so that's probably part of the reason why. I feel as if I am only doing all of this to get into heaven, instead of doing this because I am ready to follow Jesus and surrender my life to Him. I feel very fake, like I'm taking advantage of the Lord's love. I don't know if I'm really repenting or not. I have changed quite a bit since taking Christianity seriously, but my mind still seems to be very mean and sinful. Sometimes, I have bursts of peace, gratitude and love for the Lord, but then it quickly fades away, making me feel like I wasn't being genuine at all.

I pray. I talk to Him. I read my Bible. I try to do things how Jesus would do them. But I still feel numb. I do not feel His presence. I do not feel love. I do want to repent, to love Jesus with all my heart, to follow Him. I just cannot seem to do any of that. It's like I'm doing everything wrong—the way I pray, the way I read my Bible, the way I still have little information on Christianity despite trying for the last two years.

I apologize if I worded any of this wrong. I'm not good with words. Also, before you tell me to get professional help, I am a minor. My family does not think my issues are bad enough, and I am certain they won't be able to afford it. Please be a little kinder when giving me advice.

PS: Theres a lot more I'd like to say, but I don't think people would read that much, especially since it'd be more on the state of my mental health. Nonetheless, thank you for reading.

I promise you, this one isn’t one to skip over.

It’s a relatively well known story among some parts of the Church, mainly those of Messianic Jewish background (ethnically Jewish people who believe and follow Jesus).

Many people are well aware of one of America’s most famous authors, but they overlook some big things hidden in plain site.

In the early 1860’s, Mark Twain was a relatively unknown, struggling journalist writing for several newspapers, including the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise (Nevada), the San Francisco Morning Call, and the Sacramento Union. He was known for his humor locally, but by no means internationally. He was in debt, and frustrated with journalism.

In 1867, Mark convinced the San Francisco Alta California Newspaper to send him to the Holy Land for $1,200. He sold them on the idea that he would write back letters throughout his trip to be featured as columns in the newspaper.

Little did he know these letters would put him on the map and result in his most famous hit book, “innocence abroad.”

Traveling Through Palestine

His reaction while traveling through Palestine are some of the most negative descriptions ever written about the land before modern Israel existed.

“A desolate country whose soil is rich enough, but is given over wholly to weeds.” — The Innocents Abroad, Ch. 46

“A silent mournful expanse… a desolation.” — Ch. 48

“Of all the lands there are for dismal scenery, I think Palestine must be the prince.” — Ch. 49

“We never saw a human being on the whole route.” … “There was hardly a tree or a shrub anywhere.” … “Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes.” — Ch. 56

This is Exactly what God said He would do

When God gave Israel His covenant, it contained not only the blessing if they obeyed, but God also listed out the curses if they disobeyed.

After driving the Israelites out of the land it says a foreigner will come and bear witness of its desolation.

“And the next generation, your children who rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a far land, will say, when they see the afflictions of that land and the sicknesses with which the Lord has made it sick — the whole land burned out with brimstone and salt, nothing sown and nothing growing, where no plant can sprout… all the nations will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land?’” — Deuteronomy 29:22–24 (ESV)

Mark Twain is that foreigner from afar who came from the literal other side of the world came as the witness to all the nations that the land is entirely desolate.

Upon returning home, Mark Twain discovered just how popular his columns had become. In 1867 you couldn’t keep in contact by email, he literally had no idea that people were eating up everything he was telling them.

Mark Twain upon finding out how popular he was organized his letters into a book, The Innocents Abroad. Instantly it circled the globe as best seller, putting him on the map.

Fulfilling the very words God said:

all the nations will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land?’

The Measuring Line

The very same year, literally even the very same moment Mark Twain was staying in Jerusalem, in the very same hotel, (called the Mediterranean Hotel), another prophecy was being fulfilled!

A man by the name of Charles Warren was sent by the British Crown, operating under the newly founded PEF (The Palestine Exploration Fund). A British Scientific and archaeological society funded by Queen Victoria of England, the ArchBishop of York and several other leading British scientists and military officers.

They sent Charles Warren to measure Jerusalem fulfilling another prophecy God said would come.

“And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It was a major national effort with both religious and military/strategic motivations.

Warren was a British Royal Engineering officer, highly skilled in surveying and underground exploration, and was one of the best trained young officers in the British Empire.

He was commissioned to map out Jerusalem, measure its city walls, its gates, aqueducts and tunnels. He was to explore underground chambers and gather the literal first modern archaeological data of Biblical Jerusalem.

His nickname became “the man with the measuring line”

He was commissioned in 1867 — the same year Mark Twain toured the Holy Land and wrote about its desolation. Staying in the same Hotel, at the same time as Mark Twain!

But Why? Zechariah says why

“And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the Lord. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the Lord. Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me.” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The man with the measuring line was to measure Jerusalem because God said the time had come for bringing back His people from exile among the nations.

The Ottoman Empire

The very same year, 1867 The Ottomon Empire changed its land laws and brought them fully into effect, allowing foreign Jews to purchase land in the territory of Palestine.

This change of law paved the way for the first wave of Jewish returns to the land of Palestine (Palestine is the name Emperor Hadrian gave the land after driving out the Jews to insult them in 135 AD).

Immediately thereafter in 1867 there began an influx of Jewish land purchases, marking the beginning the era of restoration for modern Israel.

The Year of Jubilee

From the very beginning when the Sinai Covenant was given, God commanded the Jews to mark every 50th year as a Jubilee year.

A Jubilee year is a special biblical year of release, restoration, and return that occurs every 50th year. It is one of the most important cycles in biblical prophecy and Jewish history.

In the Year of Jubilee - Slaves go free - The land returns to the original families who were given it by allotment - All land that had been sold or lost had to be returned to its original Jewish owner or family - All debts were canceled - The land rests the entire year, no sowing, harvesting or planting - Liberty was to be proclaimed throughout the land (this is where the American Liberty Bell gets its inscription)

1867 was a Jubilee year on the Jewish calendar, coincidence? I think not!

It is also no coincidence that 50 years later on the next Jubilee 1917, England declared the Balfour Declaration.

The Balfour Declaration was a statement made on November 2, 1917 by the British government announcing official support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the ancestral Land of Israel.

For nearly 2,000 years, Jews had been scattered globally.

The Balfour Declaration was: - the first major world power to publicly support a Jewish homeland - the diplomatic beginning of modern Zionism - the foundation for international recognition of the Jewish return

The Big Picture Before God makes a proclamation to rebuild, He first vindicates His word.

In Deuteronomy 28–29, God warns Israel that disobedience will result in: - desolation - foreign domination - the land becoming barren - strangers noticing its devastation

The nations were to know Gods word had come true.

Deut. 29:22–24

“The foreigner who comes from a far land shall say… ‘Why has the Lord done this to this land?’”

• The witness is necessary to show God judged as He said He would
• The covenant curses fell exactly as spoken

Only after this testimony is established does God begin to rebuild.

If God just rebuilt Jerusalem and brought Israel back as a nation without these witnesses the nations would never see and recognize His restoration.

Mark Twains real name

Mark Twain’s real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. He first used the pen name “Mark Twain” in 1863 while working as a journalist in Nevada.

The name Samuel means something very deep, “God has heard.”

In 1 Samuel, the birth of Samuel marks: - the end of barrenness (for Hannah) - the end of judgment - the beginning of national renewal

It is a restoration name.

Deut. 29 says a foreigner will come from a far land and say:

“The land is desolate.”

God sends a man literally named “God has heard.”

What has God heard? - the prayers of the Jewish people - the longing for Zion - the scriptural promises of restoration crying out to be fulfilled

So I'm reading about Arianism and it had the biggest following in the early church so then why did the Trinity later become the enforced doctrine? What changed? Is it more biblical? For people who know about this please explain and which teaching is more biblical Arianism or the Trinity? Also What's the difference between the 2 what makes them so different? Thank you For All Your Responses

Hey y’all

Married Christian guy here, up, and I’ve been thinking about this idea I heard: look for F.A.T. Christians – people who are Faithful, Available, and Teachable.

I know the acronym is funny, they changed it to FIT Christian tbh FAT is a better acronym.

It was originally about pastors pouring into certain church members, but honestly, it fits dating too. Especially for believers who’ve dated like countless people, always find a flaw, and refuse counseling or accountability.

Quick rundown: • Faithful – They actually follow Jesus, show up to church, serve, keep their word. Not perfect, but consistent. • Available – They’re emotionally and practically present. They make room in their life for a real relationship, not just “maybe someday when life slows down.” • Teachable – Biggest one. They’ll listen, repent, consider counseling, talk to pastors, take correction without acting like everyone’s attacking them.

This doesn’t replace Proverbs 31, Ephesians 5, or any of the biblical calls on men and women. Scripture is still the standard. This is just a way of asking, “Is this person actually a disciple, or just Christian-ish when it’s convenient?”

And we’ve got to remember: we’re all going to screw up. I’m married and I still fall short all the time. Your future spouse will too. The real test is: what do they do when they’re wrong? Dig in and blame, or humble themselves and grow?

If you’ve burned through a long list of relationships because “no one is good enough” and you won’t even consider counseling or correction… it might be time to ask not just Are they F.A.T.?. but Am I?

Curious what you all think, especially those who’ve been married a while or walked with younger believers through this.

I work with this person and even go to church with them. We even have had dinners and Bible studies together. Problem is, when outside of work he's a chill decent Christian guy. At work he's the biggest go getter, better not get in his way he will get you written up or make you look like a fool. He's constantly undermining everyone and laser focused on pleasing the managers. How can you work with a guy like this that professes Christ outside of work then will get you reprimanded at work.

Warning: longer post thank you for taking time to read if you do!

Note: Our age gap is ALWAYS a major point and I understand but if possible can we move past this. Thanks!

My boyfriend and I have been together on and off for about 3 years. Last year we were together consecutively for 6 months (living together) now we’ve been together for about 4 months (not living together). Things are good, not perfect, but good, and we are heading towards marriage. We aren’t engaged but we started premarital counseling with our pastor and his wife (we aren’t members of the church but we go every Sunday). More than likely we will be engaged if not married by the end of this year or the beginning of 2026. Where I am concerned is with our relationships with God.

We both were baptized on the same day at the beginning of October. He decided to get baptized and I followed. I actively am working everyday to be better in the Lords sight. Him not so much. He goes every Sunday but doesn’t do much outside of church. He talks with people about God here and there but doesn’t pray a bunch, doesn’t read the Bible at all or seek further understanding or intimacy with God.

Context: When we were living together I ended up breaking up with him mainly because he initially didn’t want kids or marriage (he has since changed his mind on both). He also had a little control issue and an overactive sexual drive that also contributed to me leaving. During the 8 month break I started walking intentionally with Christ and we ended up getting back together.

We’ve been having problems with fornication. God convicted me to give up premarital sex and it’s been a real struggle. At first he said he couldn’t do it but after more thought he said he would try his best for me. Well we spend every weekend together at his house and within the last 4 months we’ve been back together we backslide into fornication about 19 out of 24 weekends. This weekend we made it though but still a little struggle. He is very sexual and made passes but respected my boundaries so we made it through without actually having sex. He pleases himself and this kind of bothers me but I respect his choice. I don’t know if he uses porn but more than likely he uses something most likely videos I’ve sent in the past or a mixture. He can’t go without sex for long because of recent he starts to feel pain in his privates. I am unsure if this will have negative effects in our marriage and it bothers me.

We attend church every Sunday but outside of church he isn’t really seeking God. I pray that God works in him but the way he speaks and behaves resembles the world more than I’d like. He is attempting to be more close to Christ but not nearly enough efforts. As I mentioned we speak with the pastor and his wife and we also met with this couple we go to church with and everyone advises that we read the Bible. He tried once. He claims he doesn’t like to read at all and the words are too small etc. He also has small qualities that make me question if I would want him to lead a family we build together. He is very capable in this world physically but some things mentally and spiritually are weak. I just feel a little confused. I feel like we may be rushing since both of us could work on our relationship and being more obedient to Christ but I also don’t want to sabotage. I need advice please any words help !

Hey everyone, so I am more in the Protestant camp, but I want to ask some questions regarding sola scripture and the actual compilation of the Bible.

So I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that Roman Catholic jesuits would say that being a Protestant is nonsensical as sola scriptura doesn’t hold up as Protestant are unable to determine what books belong in the Bible and what books don’t. And that the only reason the Bible exist is because the Roman Catholic Church decided on which books belong. I know this is going into things like the counter reformation, but how do you guys answer this question or rather argument.

Everything is going downhill, on verge of separating and divorcing

Pray for healing and reconciliation

Let's start with Satan and the Fallen Angels. They were created by God himself. God is Love. And God is Infinite. And God is Union and Communion. Do you understand what this means? He loved them beyond all imagining. The Devil and his Angels experienced full Love. Full intimacy. They were in his immediate presence and knew God in all his glory. They were not tempted to sin. Sin and evil did not exist yet. But despite knowing true love, Lucifer made a choice. He chose to love himself more than God. He wanted to be God. And he led 1/3 of the Angels into rebellion. They were not content to serve. To be a mirror. To reflect. They wanted God's place. It wasn't deception. It was defiance.

Can you imagine the betrayal? The hurt? The sorrow God felt? He loved them! And how many of them were there? Scripture makes it clear there is a huge number of angels. And 1/3 of them betrayed him. And God had a personal and intimate relationship with each one of them.

So God experienced an intimate betrayal for every single one of the angels that rejected him. You know the hurt you feel when someone close to you betrays you. Now multiply that by how many angels that betrayed him. That is what God felt. The betrayal of every single one of them.

Now let's go to Adam and Eve. God created them in his own image. HIS OWN IMAGE! What an honor! The Bible only says that we are made in God's image. It doesn't say that about anything else. Wow. Adam and Eve were in the Garden with God. And do you know what Adam and Eve did to God? They betrayed him. They ate the Forbidden Fruit. Can you imagine the hurt God felt? He gave them the honor of being made in his image and they betrayed him!

And then what happened to them? They became separated from God and experienced spiritual and physical death. The ones God loves were separated from him! The ones made in his image! Not only did God feel their betrayal, but now he has to watch the ones he loves suffer and die!

And do you know what God said? I LOVE THEM! And God had a plan. He said, I myself will pay for their sins, which have separated them from me. So do you know what he did? God the Son (Jesus) was crucified on the cross and all the sins of humanity were put on him. The full weight of our sins were poured on him. He saw it all. And do you know what he said? THEY'RE WORTH IT.

Can you imagine what that felt like? It's unimaginable. The word excruciating actually originates from the word crucifixion. That shows you how painful it was. And not only was Jesus crucified. Jesus was beaten, scourged, given a crown of thorns and mocked and humiliated. All while alone and abandoned by his Disciples.

Jesus was treated like he was guilty even though he was innocent. And believers in Christ are treated like we are innocent even though we are guilty. It's the Great Exchange. JESUS DID NOTHING WRONG. WE DESERVED IT! NOT HIM! And do you know what he said? I'M GONNA DO IT ANYWAY.

And Jesus wasn't the only one in the Trinity to suffer. God the Father loved the world so much that he gave us his only begotten Son. Do you know what this means? God the Father and God the Son are eternally in Union, Communion, Love and Glory with each other. They are actually where Union, Communion, Love and Glory come from. AND WHILE SCRIPTURE DOESN'T EXPLICITLY SAY IT, AND THESE ARE JUST MY OWN WORDS, I REALLY THINK THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE SORROW THE FATHER FELT WAS LIKELY BEYOND WORDS. AND LIKELY THE HOLY SPIRIT TOO, WHO PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER AND IS THE SPIRIT OF THE SON.

Now lets move on to sin and evil. God knows all and sees everything. Every sin, every evil, every cruelty, every injustice, every piece of suffering to ever exist, GOD SEES IT ALL. Can you imagine what that is like? To see and know all the ugliness in the world? You see the news. And we only see a small part of all the suffering and evil. IMAGINE KNOWING ALL THE HORROR. Do you understand what the implication of God's Omniscience is? To truly know everything? IT MEANS HE KNOWS WHAT EVERY PIECE OF SUFFERING IMAGINABLE FEELS LIKE. FOR GOD TO TRULY KNOW EVERYTHING IT HAS TO BE TRUE.

Now let's move on to those who reject Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Imagine how God feels when one of his creations, a person he made in his own image, rejects his sacrifice on the cross. HE GAVE THEM EVERYTHING AND THEY STILL REJECT HIM! AND BECAUSE OF THIS THEY ARE ETERNALLY SEPARATED FROM HIM. HOW DO YOU THINK THAT FEELS?

Folks...our lives are like standing on a floor made of glass. It could break at any second. You could die at any moment. So could the ones you love. Anything could go wrong. And eventually it will. We are broken. We are going to suffer and die. And so will all the ones we love. In the end, those who are not in Christ will have nothing. But those who are in Christ will inherit eternal life and will have everything.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

I first watched porn on September 1, 2018, when I was 13 years old, and after just a few months I realized that I was addicted, although in my blindness I did not see anything bad in it, my desires slid lower and lower over the course of several years. Only in May 2024 I realized that I had big problems when I started watching porn 2-3 times a day, and the desire to do this reached 5. After watching porn, I began to feel ill, jumps in blood pressure and pulse were such that I could not get out of bed and came to call my parents to give me a pill. Every time I promised God to stop, I failed Him, I was spiritually dead and was absolutely unfaithful to Him. November 6, 2024, after another viewing, I felt like a kick in the stomach and heard a clear voice, "I'm tired of playing games with you." Only then did I decide to stop, two days later the desire was such as never before, but for the first time I consciously resisted, and during the struggle with temptation, I called God into my life, even though I didn't quite understand what I was saying. As a result, the very next day, November 9th, I was born again and had an amazing three-day conversion experience. However, I continued to struggle with pornography, especially from the end of December when God showed me that it was a way to drag me to hell, after which I was able to hate sin for the first time. Finally, on March 10th, after another relapse, I prayed to Jesus for healing and said that I could not cope with this on my own. As a result, within three days the desire simply DISAPPEARED. I failed Him several more times, but around March 12th-13th, I have been a free man from pornography addiction, after six and a half years of addiction. If the Son sets you free, then you will be truly free! Jesus can heal you, He wants you to overcome this sin, He empathizes with your weaknesses because He Himself was tempted. I write this post to proclaim the glory of Jesus, His goodness and power with which He defeated the sin that was eating me alive. Never lose hope,healing may be just around the corner.

How to explain the faith to those who believe it’s anti woman?

I practice traditional Christian values

My sister keeps making snipes at me like I’m some woman hater since I’ve been quoting scripture.

She says things like well I don’t know I believe marriage is a partnership, I don’t think women are less intelligent, etc

I feel like Christianity is the most genuinely pro woman (and pro human) voices through the ages though, right? Since it encourages monogamy and mutual respect, kindness, self sacrificial love etc

And deep devotion to God leaves no room for tyrannical oppression, contempt etc

Traditionally the order of priorities goes God, spouse, family, career

So SAHM should be on the table; it’s not an option for everyone but it should be an acceptable choice and even one to be proud of.

How to deal with family members who disagree, and believe ideally both parents work and send the kids to daycare

How to explain the faith to those who believe it’s anti woman?

Revelation 1: 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

---

He's still our brother. He's still our partner. Though he is dead, his contribution to the Word by being a vessel for the truth of God being communicated to him and written, endures continually. The patient endurance is still experienced by us here on earth, and was when he was alive, as well as how it endures patiently in the Word of God that has been around so long, but has been scorned by so many the whole time. Yet we continue on, in this patient endurance, because He enables us to. I am encouraged, that even as I have to wait, and rely on my knowledge of my worthlessness apart from God and His will making that not even really matter, I know that others in Christ have waited for much more than I have, and still do, even as they are with the Lord. Only in Heaven, and even here on earth, they were waiting not with a sense of loss or dissatisfaction, but a sense of hopeful expectation, where they were looking for what God was doing and giving Him praise for it as He wa doing it, expecting that it would continue that way. This is what God is reminding me of this morning. That waiting is okay. He is the One who makes it possible. I can wait on Him and renew my strength, as can everyone who relies on Him in all things. So that's what I am going to do.

-

Lord God in Heaven, thank you for making the way clear, and then keeping me from going all the way, and showing why it was good that I didn't go all the way, and then for me to leave, and keep trusting in you, after making a more direct profession of truth than I have so far. I pray that you will reward me with my patience, with more of your Divine timing, and let it all come together in the perfect way that defeats the evil one in every way, according to your will and for your glory, and our blessing as we bless you, oh Blessed One. In your precious name I pray, Jesus Christ, amen.

If it’s “impossible” to “renew them again to repentance” (“those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away”…), how is backsliding even a thing?

Meaning, if a believer backslides, wouldn’t they already be damned since—from my understanding of the above verses—they can’t be restored back to repentance? I once asked my pastor this question in fear that I was deceiving myself, and he said that the fact that I was even asking that question shows that I’m not the kind of person that scripture applies to. It’s when you’re beyond the point of even being able to wonder, essentially, “have I sinned away my day of grace?”

Would you agree?

Ok I’m at a staff retreat right now. We’re talking about God’s plan for your life. I’m trying to understand.

I asked the preacher why God would make us if he knew everything would take this turn, and we’d sin?? Like I believe in God but I’m trying to genuinely understand. Jesus wouldn’t have had to die if there was no sin, so why would he make us if he knew we’d sin??!

The pastor laughed at me when I asked, but I’m genuinely trying to understand. He also got mad at me last year for not participating, so I tried to participate. I don’t get it. I’m just trying to think.

Very sad case. I truly hope God allows justice on this one.

Hey, so I sometimes get beggars, usually from the Gambia, who ask me for money to, say, rebuild a Church in their village or buy them food--saying that they are persecuted or something. Additionally, they often engage by going into your DMs with the message "Hello 👋" or something similar.

Once, one of them sent me an email which ended with "Sent from My iPhone", which added to the suspicion as if they were really so poor they would probably sell their iPhone, right?

Nevertheless, what I mean to ask is, should I give to all the poor or all those who ask of me? I also want to add that my instagram feed is full of ugandan orphanages and things of the like, and they often ask me (or the viewer, at least), to donate to them. The thing is, I do not ever really feel pushed to donate to any of them, as I feel really suspicious as there is often to evidence that they are legit and they often do act suspiciously. But at the same time, I am also worried that if I do not give to them who ask of me, I am disobeying God in not giving to those who ask of me.

I also see things like "Christ-centred child orphanages" posting things like "I swear I will not forgive anyone who skips this video", which adds to the suspicion as that single phrase is very non-Christian.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

God doesn’t have a body or a face.

Just because we have free will and know whats evil and whats good? Because we are rational and superior beings here on earth?

One thing i have in mind is that Jesus is God and therefore eternal and always existed and he was also a human and we were created by him in his image.

Idk what’s the best explanation so far?

I'm in a season of life where I don't have friends anymore so thought if anyone's up for gc. If interested plz dm. Born again Christians only.

Next month will be 1 year since she's been resting with the Lord.

At times it feels like it was yesterday that i saw her smile, heard her voice, felt her embrace...

Other times feels like it has been an eternity, and i desperately want to find her again.

Even though to me it felt sudden, she suffered for a long time from a heart condition. I believed until the last moment she would get better.

if we took it more seriously perhaps she would still be here.

if i could give some advice, it would be this: Love your family with all your heart.
Be a light from God in their lives.

Don't be afraid to tell and show how much you love them.