THE INNER ROOM - "Learn and Grow - to Maturity". Please read the 1st Post.

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Like Fluffy said (she KNOWS!!), to be within 10 minutes of bush-fires like we had is likely to un-nerve the strongest of us, as it did you! Where you said: "I know this is a minor event compared to death all around the world," just like Fluffy wrote I DON'T AGREE with that at all! As you went on to say, "but when it is close to home it really hit me." INDEED!!

Because life sure can be tough (and sometimes very frightening) is a great reason why many, many people give their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ!! He is ALWAYS a heavenly friend in time of need!!

- BM
 
Gems #7
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AND OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST - 7


YOU CAN REACH MATURITY IN CHRIST!​

Please DON'T switch out! You CAN do it - truly!! You probably have lots of time to - so let's get going on HOW!! 1 Corinthians Ch 3:2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able.

The Corithians still weren't able! SO LET'S GET ABLE!! You DON'T really want to stay forever as a spiritual baby or as a little kid, right! There's ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO!! As a genuine Christian you want to grow up: to get OFF baby food, and on to SOLID FOOD!! Wow, that thought excites me!! In my generation someone who had truly reached Spiritual and Scriptural maturity we called a Man or Woman of God (about the highest 'accolade' that could be paid to any Christian!!)

There are at least TWO THINGS needed for you to reach Maturity in Christ: the FIRST is to know HOW to do this!!! - something no one ever told me, that's for sure, but I continue to give to you here ALL THE TRUTHS THAT I KNOW!!! The SECOND is a total COMMITMENT and serious DETEMINATION to be entirely THE LORD'S!!!

But please DO realise that: a) God has a LOT of work to do IN YOU before you will reach that state, and b) it takes a LOT of time, of learning how to live the Scriptural way, and of just pure life-lessons (which I tend to refer to as "water under the bridge" i.e., there's no short-cut to LIFE EXPERIENCE!!) c) And the Holy Spirit will be working to help you to reach that point. It took me 42 years, but via seriously taking in the Messages and Scripture truth on this thread, I can see NO reason why it should take YOU that long!!

Much love (and how's about getting started today!!! *heavenly grin!*)

- BM, with his Lady

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If I were you, I'd be on my knees day after day after day, crying out to God to help you TO FIND HIM. AND I wouldn't give up till He answered!!! I'd be asking Him to REVEAL to you what it is that's blocking you from Him!! Jeremiah Ch 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord... GOD'S PROMISE TO YOU, dear Brad!!!
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Oh boy.. look out.. yep Bondman's right do exactly as he says.. but be prepared for he shall answer. I prayed and asked God to examine me with a microscope and to reveal to me the things that were not of him and what was keeping me from the righteous life.. oh man, oh man.. whew.. be prepared.. it was quite a list of things, things that I did not even think of~ .. I got rug burn on my nose from laying on my carpet with my face flat down and my hands spread wide.. amen Praises to our Lord for answering..

Brad, it is good to have you here. Keep asking the questions. we all learn from each other..

God Bless
Faithwoman
 
Faithwoman said:
Oh boy.. look out.. yep Bondman's right do exactly as he says.. but be prepared for he shall answer. I prayed and asked God to examine me with a microscope and to reveal to me the things that were not of him and what was keeping me from the righteous life.. oh man, oh man.. whew.. be prepared.. it was quite a list of things, things that I did not even think of~ .. I got rug burn on my nose from laying on my carpet with my face flat down and my hands spread wide.. amen Praises to our Lord for answering..

Brad, it is good to have you here. Keep asking the questions. we all learn from each other..

God Bless
Faithwoman
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Well, Faithwoman KNOWS - if anyone does!! She "took the plunge" and chose to go all out for the Lord, and her life is living PROOF that BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY TRULY WORKS!!

She keeps pushing the boundaries into new territory, and IT ALL HAPPENS exactly as the New Testament says!! (obviously I've done the same else I wouldn't be here writing what I do; and I know MANY OTHERS here are similar).

What's the saying? - "The proof of the pudding is in the eating!" SURE IS!!!

"Love and blessings to You, Lord Jesus!!!"

- BM
 
Thanks for all of your advice guys!

BM I dont believe that I am currently in the kingdom of heaven either as I am not committed 100%. That is what I am trying to achieve but it has to be real and from deep within. I cannot just say "Hey I am now a Christian and I have eternal life". That doesnt work for me and I know you have said that doesnt work for you either.

I will continue on my journey and I am currently reading "The Case For Christ" by Lee Strobel. I am then going to read "Systematic Theology An Introduction To Biblical Doctrine" by Wayne Grudem.

The Systematic Theology book was given to me from my Uncle (The Retired Minister) and he said it will give me a real grounding and understanding of what the bible is all about. I look forward to diving into it and seeing where it takes me. :)
 
Caveman said:
Thanks for all of your advice guys!

BM I dont believe that I am currently in the kingdom of heaven either as I am not committed 100%. That is what I am trying to achieve but it has to be real and from deep within. I cannot just say "Hey I am now a Christian and I have eternal life". That doesnt work for me and I know you have said that doesnt work for you either.

I will continue on my journey and I am currently reading "The Case For Christ" by Lee Strobel. I am then going to read "Systematic Theology An Introduction To Biblical Doctrine" by Wayne Grudem.

The Systematic Theology book was given to me from my Uncle (The Retired Minister) and he said it will give me a real grounding and understanding of what the bible is all about. I look forward to diving into it and seeing where it takes me. :)
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I would agree Brad...Just trust God to lead you through the book each day. Also i would suggest saying a small prayer just before you start reading to let the Holy Spirit guide you through....

I hope that the book would speak to you and get you "Straight through the heart" - Whitecross ;)

Cheers buddy
Jake
 
would agree Brad...Just trust God to lead you through the book each day. Also i would suggest saying a small prayer just before you start reading to let the Holy Spirit guide you through....

I hope that the book would speak to you and get you "Straight through the heart" - Whitecross ;)

Cheers buddy
Jake
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Hey Jake good advice.. may I add as we have talked about before.. it is good to read other books and such.. but what I have found and many here may agree

The book we really need to read and pray for the holy spirit to guide us through is the Bible. I use to run and read every self help book and such.. Joyce Meyer is a favorite of mine along with TD Jakes and a few others.. But now I make sure I am in the word first.. and then if time allows I will read some of the others..

God's word is the GPS of life.. my belief is that until people understand that and they keep seeking elsewhere, they may remain confused.
It says right in God's word that he is not in author of confusion, this is found in the book of Corinithians.

NIce to hear from you Jake!
Faithwoman
 
Caveman said:
Thanks for all of your advice guys!

BM I dont believe that I am currently in the kingdom of heaven either as I am not committed 100%. That is what I am trying to achieve but it has to be real and from deep within. I cannot just say "Hey I am now a Christian and I have eternal life". That doesnt work for me and I know you have said that doesnt work for you either.

I will continue on my journey and I am currently reading "The Case For Christ" by Lee Strobel. I am then going to read "Systematic Theology An Introduction To Biblical Doctrine" by Wayne Grudem.

The Systematic Theology book was given to me from my Uncle (The Retired Minister) and he said it will give me a real grounding and understanding of what the bible is all about. I look forward to diving into it and seeing where it takes me. :)
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Okay mate, that sounds good.

Something hit me a bit like a bomb as I first read your post, and I'm quite shocked I didn't see it before (but that's "what God's for" *smile* - to tell me stuff when I'm being unbelievably dense! *hee!!*)

It's the old HEAD and HEART thing that suddenly hit me. I started as a Christian IN MY HEAD! AND THIS DOESN'T WORK!! Well, not without our HEART too it doesn't!! You remind me of myself in that maybe you'd like to figure it all out and understand it all - kind of FIRST!

Don't get me wrong, there's NOTHING Spiritual that we can do unless we UNDERSTAND IT - or at the very least have SOME understanding of it. So HEAD basically DOES have to come first. But then the HEART HAS TO GET INVOLVED. And getting truly saved surely invoves our heart!!! Basically you ultimately have to DECIDE that you'll "take the leap of FAITH" which properly done moves you from PURE HUMAN LIVING and UNDERSTANDING, into the SPIRITUAL REALM where GOD IS.

On MySpace at one time, conversing with all atheists in the Philosophy and Religion section, I said to them over and over that they could NOT hope to understand what I was talking about because Christianity IS an EXPERIENTIAL "RELIGION" - WHICH YOU HAVE TO "TRY" BEFORE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND. Which may sound a bit backwards, but I'm sure you can get what they never did.

To put this in perhaps too much black and white terms, I'm in God's Kingdom, with God present with me ALWAYS - a Spiritual realm which ONLY truly saved Christians can be in. I'm also in the human, temporal realm - kind of a 'foot in both camps'! But the Spiritual very much takes precedence over the temporal for me (cos the NT says this is the right way).

You are currently in the temporal only, hence it's hard to grasp what it's like in the Kingdom of God. You have to "come in", through Christ, via a STEP OF FAITH IN HIM, to see what it's like! And more importantly for you, I think, to enable you to really and truly UNDERSTAND it!!!

To kind of sum up, you can never understand all of Christianity from "outside". At some point when you know "enough", an effective step of FAITH can bring you into the Kingdom of God here on earth - where all your questions will ultimately be ABLE to be answered!! I've very much travelled this route, so can ASSURE you of all that I've written!!!

Man, I'm really hoping that may be of some help. Praying for you!!

With love,

- BM


EDIT! I've said HERE, as well as on MySpace, that you DO NOT have to know everything before taking the STEP OF FAITH to become a true Christian. YOU ONLY NEED TO KNOW 'ENOUGH' - and the rest will be taken care of once you enter in, and start what I call the ADVENTURE of living IN the Kingdom!

When is 'enough' enough? When you understand Jesus' death for and on behalf of your sin against Almighty God, and can see this was to enable all your sin to be freely forgiven and taken away. When you're prepared to turn away from all sin that God shows you in your life (because HE is the "offended party").

And when you understand that by faith you must believe in Jesus as Lord and Saviour in order to receive this, and also give all of your life to Him, and live a life of obedience to His commands.

Once you're at this point, then I can take you on and in to God's Kingdom!!!!!!
 
xcortman said:
I would agree Brad...Just trust God to lead you through the book each day. Also i would suggest saying a small prayer just before you start reading to let the Holy Spirit guide you through....

I hope that the book would speak to you and get you "Straight through the heart" - Whitecross ;)

Cheers buddy
Jake
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Good to see you, xcortman! Thanks for all of your support of Brad, as I'm aware of this.

Blessings!

- BM
 
Faithwoman said:
Hey Jake good advice.. may I add as we have talked about before.. it is good to read other books and such.. but what I have found and many here may agree

The book we really need to read and pray for the holy spirit to guide us through is the Bible. I use to run and read every self help book and such.. Joyce Meyer is a favorite of mine along with TD Jakes and a few others.. But now I make sure I am in the word first.. and then if time allows I will read some of the others..

God's word is the GPS of life.. my belief is that until people understand that and they keep seeking elsewhere, they may remain confused.
It says right in God's word that he is not in author of confusion, this is found in the book of Corinithians.

NIce to hear from you Jake!
Faithwoman
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Indeed so, Faithwoman. I understand Jake's support of Brad with the books, of course, and their background on other threads. Nonetheless, along with my 'head/heart' thing the Holy Spirit gave me, I am with you on this

Guys, it's totally critical that we be of one mind here, and in much prayer for a soul searching for The True Way. Because THEN he may find it! - and I dare to believe in FAITH that he will!!

May piles of His LOVE come to each and every one here!!!

- BM
 
Thanks again for all the advice! BM you are spot on mate. It is the head/heart thing and yes I am expecting to many answers at this point of time.

I totally agree about the leap of faith but I have to be in the right frame of mind to do that and if I said yes now it just wouldnt last and that isnt what I want. I need to read more and become more knowledgeable and get myself spiritually ready to hopefully make the leap.

Faithwoman I know that the bible is the source of all that I need but once again at the moment I just feel like I have too many questions and need to keep reading other books that will help me so I can give the bible my full attention which is what it deserves in the least.

I have tried just reading the bible but if my head/heart isnt in it then I do not take it in and that is the last thing I want to do.

BM, Faithwoman, Fluffy & Xcortman I know it must be very frustrating as you guys are in the kingdom and you can see the path how to get their so clearly but at the moment I feel like I am on the path but their are overgrown trees and bushes obstructing my view and I cannot see clearly. I am hoping in reading these books I will remove some of these trees and bushes so I can get a glimpse of The Glory Of The Kingdom Of Heaven and then take the Leap Of Faith.

If I tried taking the leap now I would just land head first into those trees and bushes and end up with prickles and scratches all over which may make me turn around and try a different path. This is what I am trying to avoid. :)

I can honestly say that you have made me feel like I have a home and family here in The Inner Room. I love you guys! :)
 
BM, Faithwoman, Fluffy & Xcortman I know it must be very frustrating as you guys are in the kingdom and you can see the path how to get their so clearly but at the moment I feel like I am on the path but their are overgrown trees and bushes obstructing my view and I cannot see clearly. I am hoping in reading these books I will remove some of these trees and bushes so I can get a glimpse of The Glory Of The Kingdom Of Heaven and then take the Leap Of Faith.
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Not frustrating one bit my mate.. ( hey did I do good in Aussie language.. lol!).

I am sure we all can agree.. we just want it for you.. the same that Jesus has given to all of us.

Believe you me.. I got more than a few briar pricks when I was searching!
Have a fabulous day!

Hugs
Faithwoman
 
Faithwoman said:
Not frustrating one bit my mate.. ( hey did I do good in Aussie language.. lol!).

I am sure we all can agree.. we just want it for you.. the same that Jesus has given to all of us.

Believe you me.. I got more than a few briar pricks when I was searching!
Have a fabulous day!

Hugs
Faithwoman
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Oh, Faithwoman, it pains me dreadfully *chuckles!* to have to tell you that "my mate" is never used here in that context! But a good try, anyway!

It's interesting how our paths to the Lord can be so different. You said lots of briar pricks for you, Brad's talking about trees and bushes blocking the way all over the place, whereas for me it was just... nothing. There was nothing there for me to get any grip on at all, and I had not a SINGLE clue as to how to find God!

Yep, we sure do want for Brad what God has brought us to!!

Beloveds carer is about to take me and her out to a lovely local park overlooking water and lots of nature, so I must depart - but will be back!!!

- BM
 
Actually, Caveman, we arent frustrated with you BECAUSE we have all been there. We know where you are. We also know that pushing aint gonna get it done. We can only encourage you to keep seeking, keep asking, dont give up.

For me, the scriptures really didnt open up until I had made Jesus Lord. Before, I was confused and puzzled by alot of what was being said in there. After, understanding came for ALOT of things in the bible. The Holy Spirit helps you with that. He makes the scriptures almost leap off of the page sometimes!

Also, an author named Max Lucado is one that helped me get 'over the edge' (so to speak). He has a way of explaining things 'where you live'

Highly reccommend "He Chose the Nails", "Six Hours One Sunday", "In the Grip of Grace", (He is a prolific author there are many to choose from, all wonderfully done).
 
Hi Fluffy,

Thank you so much for the books. I will definately try and get them but I must admit I have a fair bit of reading to do at the moment butthey are now on my list!

I find it hard to make Jesus Lord when I feel like I dont have the knowledge. If I turn around and say "Hey Jesus is Lord!" I feel like I am being fake. I know it is a leap of faith and in my mind I am starting to grasp that and I feel that I am slowly edging closer.

It is very hard to explain but as BM said it is definately the head and heart thing. I know my heart is in the right place but there is something in my head stopping me at this point. I desperately want this and I can promise you that I will leave no stone unturned on my quest for the kingdom of heaven! :)

I just have to find that balance of where I can satisfy my heart and my head!
 
Faithwoman said:
Not frustrating one bit my mate.. ( hey did I do good in Aussie language.. lol!).

I am sure we all can agree.. we just want it for you.. the same that Jesus has given to all of us.

Believe you me.. I got more than a few briar pricks when I was searching!
Have a fabulous day!

Hugs
Faithwoman
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Thanks for the hugs and message mate! I am very impressed with your use of the word mate but just get rid of that word my in front of it and you have done great! :)
 
Caveman said:
Hi Fluffy,

Thank you so much for the books. I will definately try and get them but I must admit I have a fair bit of reading to do at the moment butthey are now on my list!

I find it hard to make Jesus Lord when I feel like I dont have the knowledge. If I turn around and say "Hey Jesus is Lord!" I feel like I am being fake. I know it is a leap of faith and in my mind I am starting to grasp that and I feel that I am slowly edging closer.

It is very hard to explain but as BM said it is definately the head and heart thing. I know my heart is in the right place but there is something in my head stopping me at this point. I desperately want this and I can promise you that I will leave no stone unturned on my quest for the kingdom of heaven! :)

I just have to find that balance of where I can satisfy my heart and my head!
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Gotta TOTALLY agree with Fluffy about Max Lucado. He is TOPS!! My Lady's favourite author and she is VERY fussy!! Fluf said that he meets you where you are and that's totally correct! He's SO easy to read, and wonderfully easy to understand, i.e., has the gift of making it simple so you can 'get' it!

Head and heart is usually the opposite to what you said. Most of us, including me, could understand things in our HEAD okay, but couldn't "attach" or connect our heart to what we knew! Had terrible trouble doing this!! Held ME up for years!

Head knowledge alone simply can NOT get us many, many of the things in the Spiritual realm. Our heart is the IMPORTANT "responder" to the claims of the Lord Jesus on our life, and to the PROMPTINGS of the Holy Spirit that: you need to come and get your sin forgiven! Our head will 'get it' first, then our heart is what will ultimately say, "I will!!" (in such as way that it will stick!!)

Blessings mate!!

- BM


EDIT! My Lady, who is very clear and logical as well as extremely practical, said two things I thought so good that I asked her to write them down to put here:

First one: "If we could logic our way to heaven there'd be no need for faith."

Second one: "You have to decide to have faith in the One who does know everything and who does have all the answers!"
 
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