Ever since I said, “Yes” to Jesus I’ve been fascinated with Mary and Martha. I read “Have a Mary heart in a Martha World,” a long time ago. That changed my life.
Then I wrote my own version. Then I made it into a children’s book called “Two Sisters The story of Mary and Martha.”
In the story, Martha learns the secret.
Praising God that He revealed Himself to me 25 years ago.
Thinking about it, this always reminded me of the letter to the Laodicea church from Revelation. Complacency is one of the largest danger for christians in this age. Good article!
For me, the Bible provides a simplicity by its clarity and consistency. For example, a key “declutterring text” is Philippians 4:8:
“Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.”
John Bevere is a book writer and has quite a following on YouTube. He put out a couple videos that I found concerning. He was talking about predestination where before we are even born names are written in the "Lamb's book of life" saying a prayer for salvation is not biblical and the idea of a rapture came up about 200+ years ago by a couple of men who used bible verses to come up with the idea that has been universally accepted by the church. I read 3 daily devotions and love listening to Pastor Lawson sermons and do not get tired of hearing them. When I was a kid I was forced to attend JW's until I was 14. The seconds were like minutes and minutes like hours. I thought I was saved but I do not feel a sense of having the holy spirit and cannot think of a prayer that has ever been answered. Now after hearing Bevere's take it makes me question my salvation. The hunger is there and the way the world is going I would like some assurance of being saved. Do you have any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks!
This is a hard question to answer and one for which wrong answers can make the situation much worse. It's a question for a trusted pastor more than an Internet Bible teacher like me.
I can offer only my personal experience. I struggled with a very similar situation off and on for years. The thing that I remember as a sort of turning point is a question from a pastor who I asked for help. He asked me: If you weren't saved, and the Holy Spirit was not with you, do you think you would be so troubled about not "feeling" like you are saved? He said many other things that helped me find my path to spiritual comfort, but that question stuck with me.
My initial reaction to that question was not a good one. I felt like he was making light of my spiritual turmoil with a cliche. But that question soon became the one I thought about more and more. I think it helped turn my mind from seeking proof of my salvation to trusting God based on His word. But that's just my story. I have known others who found a completely different path to comfort with their salvation.
As for predestination, in my opinion that is a doctrine - not a measure of our eligibility for salvation. Like all doctrine, there are certain Bible verses that would seem to support it and others that would seem to refute it. Keep in mind that all doctrine is man made, not God given. Doctrine is important for our learning and our calling, but I don't think you will find the assurance you seek from those who promote doctrine as a priority in their preaching.
I hope this helps but again, I am way out of my lane here. I hope and pray you find good counsel from a caring pastor.
Thank you, Greg, for telling me about your experience. You know I asked two friends from High School one of which got his degree from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and the question perplexed them as well. As a child I became somewhat brainwashed by the Jehovah's Witnesses. I think I was 5 years old when my mother got involved and was forced to go, but when I turned 14, I got a part time job and purposely had the boss schedule me on the days of the meetings which were three times a week. My mother was also slightly drifting away herself. She asked the Elders for permission to get a divorce as my father was abusive and was cheating on her. They told her it would require two witnesses. She was told he was a provider and something about respect though he was not a believer. She filed for divorce when I was 16. I remember people would be disfellowshipped over the speaker and the reason why. I guess with more dedication they could get reinstated because I remember the unwed pregnant girl continued to attend. One Pastor said something like what makes you decide to pray and talked about feeling guilt over sin and seeking repentance. He said this was the holy spirit convicting me to pray for forgiveness. In Matthew there are verses that say, "Ask and receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be answered". Jesus also says to ask anything in his name and he will do it. I have prayed for relief of something similar to Parkinsons which was a permanent adverse side effect to prescribed medication. I had R. Loren Sanford and Ask Dr. Brown, both authors who say God speaks to them pray that I would get some relief but to no avail. This condition keeps me from wanting to attend church. However, in May we are planning a trip to see my mother in TN and from there make the trip to Knoxville, TN to attend Temple Baptist Church and I will ask Pastor Lawson to pray for me and anoint me with oil as he does this. I got my start in Christianity watching Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, the Copelands, & Marilyn Hickey but then I started watching the 700 Club which at the time Pat Robertson was encouraging people to call and pray with them in which I did. As I look back, they have all had their scandals, but it did lead me to Jesus. I do watch Pastor Lawson, and he has a couple other people who do sermons. I wish I had their fire. https://www.youtube.com/@PastorCharlesLawsonMinistries/videos but I also watch Charles Stanley and have been since early 2000's and added Dr. Robert Jeffress. They teach very well and the hunger is there. I remember when being with the JW's watching the clock and minutes felt like hours. I see that Evil has become good and good has become evil so I want to make sure I am firmly rooted as it seems like we are in the end times. I felt confident in salvation until I watched John Bevere and him basically saying before we were born our destination was already set. Thanks for letting me ask you your perspective and me expressing mine. Like you pointed out with your concern on spirituality and what your Pastor told you I have to be on the right road. I always like and re-stack your posts and I hope this helps.
Ever since I said, “Yes” to Jesus I’ve been fascinated with Mary and Martha. I read “Have a Mary heart in a Martha World,” a long time ago. That changed my life.
Then I wrote my own version. Then I made it into a children’s book called “Two Sisters The story of Mary and Martha.”
In the story, Martha learns the secret.
Praising God that He revealed Himself to me 25 years ago.
Thinking about it, this always reminded me of the letter to the Laodicea church from Revelation. Complacency is one of the largest danger for christians in this age. Good article!
For me, the Bible provides a simplicity by its clarity and consistency. For example, a key “declutterring text” is Philippians 4:8:
“Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.”
Yes these are helpful and I have used them in my preparation for teaching college class at church!
John Bevere is a book writer and has quite a following on YouTube. He put out a couple videos that I found concerning. He was talking about predestination where before we are even born names are written in the "Lamb's book of life" saying a prayer for salvation is not biblical and the idea of a rapture came up about 200+ years ago by a couple of men who used bible verses to come up with the idea that has been universally accepted by the church. I read 3 daily devotions and love listening to Pastor Lawson sermons and do not get tired of hearing them. When I was a kid I was forced to attend JW's until I was 14. The seconds were like minutes and minutes like hours. I thought I was saved but I do not feel a sense of having the holy spirit and cannot think of a prayer that has ever been answered. Now after hearing Bevere's take it makes me question my salvation. The hunger is there and the way the world is going I would like some assurance of being saved. Do you have any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks!
This is a hard question to answer and one for which wrong answers can make the situation much worse. It's a question for a trusted pastor more than an Internet Bible teacher like me.
I can offer only my personal experience. I struggled with a very similar situation off and on for years. The thing that I remember as a sort of turning point is a question from a pastor who I asked for help. He asked me: If you weren't saved, and the Holy Spirit was not with you, do you think you would be so troubled about not "feeling" like you are saved? He said many other things that helped me find my path to spiritual comfort, but that question stuck with me.
My initial reaction to that question was not a good one. I felt like he was making light of my spiritual turmoil with a cliche. But that question soon became the one I thought about more and more. I think it helped turn my mind from seeking proof of my salvation to trusting God based on His word. But that's just my story. I have known others who found a completely different path to comfort with their salvation.
As for predestination, in my opinion that is a doctrine - not a measure of our eligibility for salvation. Like all doctrine, there are certain Bible verses that would seem to support it and others that would seem to refute it. Keep in mind that all doctrine is man made, not God given. Doctrine is important for our learning and our calling, but I don't think you will find the assurance you seek from those who promote doctrine as a priority in their preaching.
I hope this helps but again, I am way out of my lane here. I hope and pray you find good counsel from a caring pastor.
Thank you, Greg, for telling me about your experience. You know I asked two friends from High School one of which got his degree from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and the question perplexed them as well. As a child I became somewhat brainwashed by the Jehovah's Witnesses. I think I was 5 years old when my mother got involved and was forced to go, but when I turned 14, I got a part time job and purposely had the boss schedule me on the days of the meetings which were three times a week. My mother was also slightly drifting away herself. She asked the Elders for permission to get a divorce as my father was abusive and was cheating on her. They told her it would require two witnesses. She was told he was a provider and something about respect though he was not a believer. She filed for divorce when I was 16. I remember people would be disfellowshipped over the speaker and the reason why. I guess with more dedication they could get reinstated because I remember the unwed pregnant girl continued to attend. One Pastor said something like what makes you decide to pray and talked about feeling guilt over sin and seeking repentance. He said this was the holy spirit convicting me to pray for forgiveness. In Matthew there are verses that say, "Ask and receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be answered". Jesus also says to ask anything in his name and he will do it. I have prayed for relief of something similar to Parkinsons which was a permanent adverse side effect to prescribed medication. I had R. Loren Sanford and Ask Dr. Brown, both authors who say God speaks to them pray that I would get some relief but to no avail. This condition keeps me from wanting to attend church. However, in May we are planning a trip to see my mother in TN and from there make the trip to Knoxville, TN to attend Temple Baptist Church and I will ask Pastor Lawson to pray for me and anoint me with oil as he does this. I got my start in Christianity watching Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, the Copelands, & Marilyn Hickey but then I started watching the 700 Club which at the time Pat Robertson was encouraging people to call and pray with them in which I did. As I look back, they have all had their scandals, but it did lead me to Jesus. I do watch Pastor Lawson, and he has a couple other people who do sermons. I wish I had their fire. https://www.youtube.com/@PastorCharlesLawsonMinistries/videos but I also watch Charles Stanley and have been since early 2000's and added Dr. Robert Jeffress. They teach very well and the hunger is there. I remember when being with the JW's watching the clock and minutes felt like hours. I see that Evil has become good and good has become evil so I want to make sure I am firmly rooted as it seems like we are in the end times. I felt confident in salvation until I watched John Bevere and him basically saying before we were born our destination was already set. Thanks for letting me ask you your perspective and me expressing mine. Like you pointed out with your concern on spirituality and what your Pastor told you I have to be on the right road. I always like and re-stack your posts and I hope this helps.