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geeky_student
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 07:44 am |
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I was baptized on December 28th, 2003. I've been using pornography since summer of 2001.
I sinned later that afternoon. 
I didn't tell anyone about this til now.
It was a mistake because I allowed the devil to have a foothold saying that I am not saved and I am not a Christian because I sinned on the day I got baptized.
Well, when the people from my church came to our house and asked me if I wanted to be a Christian and be baptized, I answered yes.... (I AM SAVED! The Holy Spirit just reminded me now how I am saved by showing me that I've changed since I was saved: I felt guilty about doing this sick perverted thing (I was still struggling with it earlier today, didn't go to the sites though), and how I feel guilty and shameful after I've sinned).
Question: umm.. I've read in the book of Revelations that "...his name will be erased from the Book of Life", that is if they do not change their evil ways (it was one of the letters to the churches). When I was asked if I wanted to be saved, they told me that once the name is written on the Book of Life, the name will not be erased, it stays there, once saved, always saved.
Please pray for me that I stay strong in Christ and not be deceived into thinking that "I am not longer saved" or things like that.
Thanks and stay clean everyone!
God is with us! 
feels good now that I've confessed that.
____________________
For God, for her, for my parents, for own good.
tip: when tempted, think of God, think of that special someone you love.
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guitarist63
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Posted: Tue Mar 6th, 2007 12:05 am |
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Geeky_student, you're courageous to confess that sin. I'm sure the Lord will honour the fact you've been honest and if I read your post correctly, you're repentant. There are a lot of Bible verses you can punish yourself with but the times when you feel like that, it's old nick doing the bashing. That doesn't mean to say that the Holy Spirit does not convict us of sin and tell us. Praying for you. Guitarist63
Last edited on Thu Jun 21st, 2007 02:23 am by guitarist63
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geeky_student
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Posted: Tue Mar 6th, 2007 03:21 am |
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Thanks guitarist63, I have that question still though, the one I posted above.
Question: umm.. I've read in the book of Revelations that "...his name will be erased from the Book of Life", that is if they do not change their evil ways (it was one of the letters to the churches). When I was asked if I wanted to be saved, they told me that once the name is written on the Book of Life, the name will not be erased, it stays there, once saved, always saved.
____________________
For God, for her, for my parents, for own good.
tip: when tempted, think of God, think of that special someone you love.
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guitarist63
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Posted: Wed Mar 7th, 2007 12:44 am |
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Geeky_student, regarding your question about the Book of Life and your place in it - I was taught that when a person repents of the sin in their life, lets Jesus Christ into their hearts, and receives forgiveness of all the sins committed, then that person is saved. You cannot lose your salvation. There may be moderators and others here who will have a different view. There are verses, of course, that warn us about slipping back into the old self. Jesus, for example, in John's gospel, Chapter 15, verse 4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. V.5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. V.6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. V.7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. V.8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." King James Version.
I think you should not be under a spirit of condemnation for sin since we have all sinned and fallen short of God's standard but keep picking yourself up and coming to the Lord and seek forgiveness. I think to begin prayer with worship - singing, praising, is very important to focus our minds on God and not on self. I know it's hard because I have to do this myself repeatedly. Hope this helps. Stephen.
Last edited on Thu Jun 21st, 2007 02:25 am by guitarist63
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geeky_student
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 02:31 am |
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Thanks!
Let us all keep praying!
Keep clean!
God is with us
____________________
For God, for her, for my parents, for own good.
tip: when tempted, think of God, think of that special someone you love.
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guitarist63
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Posted: Wed Mar 14th, 2007 12:31 am |
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Hey Geeky_Student,
Glad to hear you're keeping positive. Prayer is the key. Effective prayer must be something we learn through constantly doing it - constantly, daily seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. For those who don't know what the Holy Spirit is (this isn't for you, Geeky, but for readers), this isn't anything to do with alcohol but is the Spirit of God, sent as a Helper to the Church after Jesus ascended into Heaven, following his appearances to his disciples and others after He was raised from the dead. Being daily filled with the Holy Spirit is a prerequisite (essential) if we are to overcome the sinful flesh by the Spirit's presence and power indwelling us. God's Word should be studied and meditated on directly in order that people here and elsewhere are not led astray by a false doctrine. There's no substitute for reading the Bible yourself to check what the likes of myself and others say on these matters. Guitarist63
Last edited on Thu Jun 21st, 2007 02:28 am by guitarist63
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geeky_student
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 10:34 pm |
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uh... question:
does the Holy Spirit dwell in non-believers?
again i've been struggling with this "am i saved" thing again.
Please pray that the Lord will help me and show me what is true.
Thanks!
God is with us, let us listen to Him and obey Him!
Keep clean!
I will continue pray for you guys!
God bless!
____________________
For God, for her, for my parents, for own good.
tip: when tempted, think of God, think of that special someone you love.
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truthseeker
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 10:46 pm |
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Hi GS,
My suggestion is to start reading in Romans 10:9 and on. Have you confessed with your mouth, and believed in your heart? If so, you need to send Satan packing with his lies and fears.
TruthSeeker
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guitarist63
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 10:49 pm |
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Geeky, I am a bit puzzled by the question. No, the Holy Spirit does not dwell in non-believers. You have to pray, repenting of all your sins, ask Jesus to forgive you, accept His forgiveness and ask him to come into your heart. If you have confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, asked Him to come into your heart, then you must also have The Holy Spirit indwelling you. The Spirit is the Helper that Jesus sent to His disciples and the future church. The Helper (Holy Spirit) has never left the church and is the third part of God. Sorry if I am stating some obvious things to you. You are a Christian, surely? Stephen
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geeky_student
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 10:56 pm |
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yes, it's just that i am not sure if the Holy Spirit dwells in non-believers or not.
were there biblical cases that talks bout this?
sorry. but can you explain what you base that "Holy Spirit does not dwell in non-believers" on? Perhaps a verse from the Bible? Thanks
Sorry if i typed that sounding disrespectful. I don't mean to be.
____________________
For God, for her, for my parents, for own good.
tip: when tempted, think of God, think of that special someone you love.
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guitarist63
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 12:10 am |
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Thanks, Geeky. Phew! I thought I had made a serious blunder in assuming you were a Christian! I don't know of any Biblical examples of the Holy Spirit indwelling those who are not Christians. The Spirit is the helper, as I said, whom Christ said (after He was raised from the dead) to His disciples, would soon come to them. At Pentecost, as you probably know, the early church were baptized in the Holy Spirit. In St John's Gospel, Chapter 20, verse 22, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on the disciples: "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost" In St Luke, the account is rather interesting: Chapter 24, verse 49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." St Mark's Gospel's account of Jesus's appearances after His resurrection, do not refer to the Holy Spirit but the power of the Spirit is implied through the power manifested in "those who believe" (Mark, 16: 17) the gifts of healing and of tongues and of various miracles. Matthew Ch. 28, verse 19 gives Christ's command to His disciples: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Verse 20, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." As I understand it, unbelievers (I was one myself but now believe) are convicted of their sinful state and need for God to save them so that, although the Spirit does not at this stage indwell the unbeliever, it is the first point of contact, as it were. Without that first conviction of sin and the need to repent, the person would not (as I understand) be able to make the first step towards God. You'll know, no doubt, the passages in Acts. Chapter 2, Day of Pentecost. Cornelius (Acts 10), a devout man , a Roman centurion, was not a Christian but he received an Angel of God who said to him "Cornelius!" How many people today can say they have been visited by an angel who knows them by their name? That's not exactly an instance of the Holy Spirit but it does show that God has occasion to use those who are not Christians. See Acts Ch. 10, vere 44 for the Holy Spirit falling upon the gentiles gathered at Caesarea, while the apostle Peter was speaking to them. I hope this helps. Stephen
Last edited on Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 12:23 am by guitarist63
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geeky_student
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 01:02 am |
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yes, and thanks truthseeker, that really helped
YAY I AM SAVED!!!
Thank God
Glory to Him the Highest!
God is with us, let us listen to Him and obey Him
I will continue praying for you guys!
Keep clean!
____________________
For God, for her, for my parents, for own good.
tip: when tempted, think of God, think of that special someone you love.
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guitarist63
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 01:15 am |
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I am dancing Geeky with joy to hear you are saved. Hallelujah! May the Lord make his face to shine on you! 
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geeky_student
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 03:55 am |
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Thanks guitarist63
Now that the Lord has let me go throught this long soul search I feel better and more affirmed of my faith in Him.
Well, the Holy Spirit really showed me again how drawn-away-from-Him we are when we sin. (PS: i failed last night, before i sinned i was in such peace with God, i took it for granted)
Expect a report later
____________________
For God, for her, for my parents, for own good.
tip: when tempted, think of God, think of that special someone you love.
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junkyardboy
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 02:55 pm |
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what a great and uplifting thread this has started to be .
the children of God comforting and encouraging one another from the word of God.
"speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."
Ephesians 5:19
would anyone be interested in sharing the attributes of the Holy Spirit, who He is,
what He does and any attribute you find most comforting and might be your favorite?
thanks,
peter
____________________
have we been abandoned by God?
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2006/11/dr_john_macarth.html
http://www.valleybible.net/position_papers.php
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guitarist63
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Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 08:06 pm |
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Peter, thanks for your thoughtful reply. The Holy Spirit convicts me of sin and steers me away from it. I haven't received all the "gifts of the spirit" that are listed in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12. I think I have the gift of faith (verse 9) but haven't seen much evidence of the others yet. Galatians, Chapter 5, verse 22, lists the fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, V.23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. V.24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. V.25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."
Last edited on Thu Jun 21st, 2007 02:32 am by guitarist63
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truthseeker
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Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 08:30 pm |
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It is my personal opinion that self-control is listed last as it is the most difficult, summing up the others and then some.
TruthSeeker
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guitarist63
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Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 08:59 pm |
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Truthseeker, I think self-control is definitely one of my biggest problems (not having enough). I have lived alone too long - and likely to remain so until God calls me home! So it looks as if, with God's help, I shall be training myself for a life ahead without any sexual expression whatever. Stephen
Last edited on Thu Jun 21st, 2007 02:34 am by guitarist63
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gaylon
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Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 11:35 pm |
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guitarist63 wrote: ... So it looks as if, with God's help, I shall be training myself for a life ahead without any sexual expression whatever. Stephen
Very difficult for me to contemplate. I'm not an example of this, but scripture supports the idea that being swallowed up in the joy of the Lord is the ultimate pleasure. Not to downplay in any way the difficulty of living celibate... To summarize an experience I had about 15 years ago, I came to a point where I felt absolutely at the end of my own resources, and prayed to God "I'm open -- are You there -- what do I do?". I began to feel His love welling up in me, until the feeling consumed my every sense, and I thought I would lose conciousness, and I actually prayed for it to stop, because I was afraid I'd die. I don't mean this next statement to be crass in any way. It was very personal to me, and I've only shared it with a few people until now. But there is *no* other physical feeling I've had before or since that even holds a candle to that feeling, both in body and soul. And that's all I'll say about that. In all the times I've doubted God's love, my mind eventually goes back to that experience, which was undeniably real, and came from outside myself from a source of consummate good. So, I hope there will be such compensation for you, as you embark on this new life...
--- Gaylon V.
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guitarist63
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Posted: Thu Apr 5th, 2007 12:04 am |
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Gaylon, thanks very much sharing such a precious and personal experience of God. That's absolutely wonderful and it certainly cheers me up today. 10th day and I am afraid that the tension was too much and I gave in. I should be better next time. 10 was better than 8. I can live without this habit. Stephen
Last edited on Thu Jun 21st, 2007 02:39 am by guitarist63
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