Look at all the Christian must stand up to in order to maintain their integrity: immorality, corruption, greed, deceit; and don't tell me its not any worse than former generations because its way worse! The heavenly Father is withdrawing His Spirit from the earth do to the excessive wickedness of mankind.
Life is a series of ups and downs. You need to have courage to enjoy life without guilt. Courage to confront the things you can change, and courage to walk away from things you can't. Be strong at all times.
Here are some thoughts shared among mature Christian believers:
For many “courage” means a state of emotion where one does not feel anxiety, fear, nervousness or worry. Apprehension is not present, where one anticipates damage, disgrace, loss, or pain; and so, one feels free and uninhibited when approaching duty, or life challenges and problems. As an emotion, courage is temporal, it only lasts for a time, and it comes and goes. For those just beginning to investigate and learn the things of GOD through Christ, courage is necessary as a form of strength that fosters dialogue, learning and reflection. Many questions must be posed, and one must be willing to expose the depth of their own beliefs and understandings.
For the believer who has been reborn through baptism, the need is not for courage and emotion; instead, there must be “holy boldness,” balance, and “fear of the Lord.” Like faith, joy, humility and wrath against sin, holy boldness is a content of divine being (sometimes we say “divine DNA), and is inseparable from other sacred substance such as holiness, righteousness, truth and wisdom. The imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD must be present that makes possible a believers approach and entrance into the divine Presence.
“Fear of the Lord” is reverence, right respect, and the correct awareness of GOD called “awe”. Access to GOD begins with things that are impersonal and remote such as doctrine, law, proclamation and Scripture. Needed strength to approach sovereign truths that are invisible and otherwise unknown are supplied through the ministry of Jesus, that equip and prepare believers for personal experiences of GOD, including healing, prayer, and prophetic visions.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, “the fearful” (also called “cowards”) are classed with idolaters, murderers, sorcerers, whoremongers, the unbelieving, and all liars (see Revelation 21: 7-8). Christian belief is not a matter of “gambling” or foolish risk-taking; however, there are many unseen attackers and unexpected enemies, a darkness that opposes spiritual growth, that may be described as “the unknown”.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
You must tolerate atheists giving you a hard time about your religion. Remember, atheists are people who are simply searching for more proof of God. They are not your enemies, they are just looking for more proof. You can educate them by explaining that mankind has benefited from the love of God by sharing their love for each other with such social creations as science and medicine, manufacturing, educational systems, communications, (including this internet) ETC. A bunch of disorganized atheists or pagans never could get together in co-operation to do these things, and it all started to come together about, oh, 2000 years ago. It's called "the Church."
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Look at all the Christian must stand up to in order to maintain their integrity: immorality, corruption, greed, deceit; and don't tell me its not any worse than former generations because its way worse! The heavenly Father is withdrawing His Spirit from the earth do to the excessive wickedness of mankind.
Life is a series of ups and downs. You need to have courage to enjoy life without guilt. Courage to confront the things you can change, and courage to walk away from things you can't. Be strong at all times.
Here are some thoughts shared among mature Christian believers:
For many “courage” means a state of emotion where one does not feel anxiety, fear, nervousness or worry. Apprehension is not present, where one anticipates damage, disgrace, loss, or pain; and so, one feels free and uninhibited when approaching duty, or life challenges and problems. As an emotion, courage is temporal, it only lasts for a time, and it comes and goes. For those just beginning to investigate and learn the things of GOD through Christ, courage is necessary as a form of strength that fosters dialogue, learning and reflection. Many questions must be posed, and one must be willing to expose the depth of their own beliefs and understandings.
For the believer who has been reborn through baptism, the need is not for courage and emotion; instead, there must be “holy boldness,” balance, and “fear of the Lord.” Like faith, joy, humility and wrath against sin, holy boldness is a content of divine being (sometimes we say “divine DNA), and is inseparable from other sacred substance such as holiness, righteousness, truth and wisdom. The imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD must be present that makes possible a believers approach and entrance into the divine Presence.
“Fear of the Lord” is reverence, right respect, and the correct awareness of GOD called “awe”. Access to GOD begins with things that are impersonal and remote such as doctrine, law, proclamation and Scripture. Needed strength to approach sovereign truths that are invisible and otherwise unknown are supplied through the ministry of Jesus, that equip and prepare believers for personal experiences of GOD, including healing, prayer, and prophetic visions.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, “the fearful” (also called “cowards”) are classed with idolaters, murderers, sorcerers, whoremongers, the unbelieving, and all liars (see Revelation 21: 7-8). Christian belief is not a matter of “gambling” or foolish risk-taking; however, there are many unseen attackers and unexpected enemies, a darkness that opposes spiritual growth, that may be described as “the unknown”.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
You must tolerate atheists giving you a hard time about your religion. Remember, atheists are people who are simply searching for more proof of God. They are not your enemies, they are just looking for more proof. You can educate them by explaining that mankind has benefited from the love of God by sharing their love for each other with such social creations as science and medicine, manufacturing, educational systems, communications, (including this internet) ETC. A bunch of disorganized atheists or pagans never could get together in co-operation to do these things, and it all started to come together about, oh, 2000 years ago. It's called "the Church."
The lack of it you mean....?
Meh...
Why can't Christians be honest?
Why can’t they just say:
"I know my beliefs are illogical, but I've been brainwashed into believing these things my entire life."
OR
"I am too weak to live in this world, without the hope that there is someone watching over me, and I need to believe in an afterlife".
OR
"I am too scared to even consider the possibility that there is no God, for fear of being punished by him".
OR
"The thought of hell is so terrifying to me, that I have to believe, and be good".
~
it takes guts to spend your whole life running from the reality of death.