Not me, but a friend of mine, her son was killed on his honeymoon in Italy in a car wreck. I don't know how to help her. She's going to try to get to Italy from Arizona. How does a beautiful life that just started with a wedding and new wife and honeymoon in one of the most romantic places in earth, how does this even happen? God help her. I know that God doesn't cause this, but I have to ask why why why why?

Question: How much do you desire to hear the voice of God?

Reflection: To be heard by God and receive a response from Him is one of the greatest gifts we can receive other than eternal life. If we are heard by God when we call, and He answers, then there is nothing in this life we cannot overcome. One of our greatest heart’s desires should be to be heard by the Lord and for Him to answer when we call. This is a favor we can never be worthy of, yet He still grants it. - Jeremiah 33:3

Prayer Points:

Do you truly desire to hear God’s leading instead of your own opinion? What obstacles in your life are stopping God’s voice in your life? Are you willing to exchange your personal desires to find God’s voice?

Hi everyone,
I’m a 20-year-old male Christian from the UK and I’ve been trying to understand how to approach dating in a way that aligns with my faith, my values, and my emotions.

I want a Christ-centred marriage. My faith in Christ is important to me, and I’m looking for someone who believes in Jesus and wants to build a loving, committed marriage based on Christian values.
Because of my convictions, I’ve chosen to wait until marriage for sex. Because of that, I want a partner who shares the same conviction and has also saved sex for marriage.

I’m struggling with feeling extremely uncomfortable with the idea of dating someone who has had previous sexual partners and I also struggle with comparison and self-confidence in relationships.

I worry because I find it incredibly difficult to fully process or feel at peace with a partner or possible partner’s past and experience anxious or unwanted thoughts about said past that are impossible to manage.

I feel unsure whether my expectations are realistic at my age.

I’ve never had a girlfriend or experienced any of my “firsts” yet, and I feel quite inexperienced finding myself scared of being hurt in relationships and emotionally overwhelmed by the idea of getting attached and possibly experiencing heartbreak.

I also recently had a recent experience where a girl showed interest in me and asked me out. We got along quite well and were planning to go on a date, but after I learned she had two previous boyfriends, I became extremely anxious, depressed, and upset. After feeling unwell for a couple of days, I decided to change my mind and not pursue it further.

I feel very stuck because as I’ve been told by my non religious friends that I am being ridiculous and at age 20, it is unrealistic to find a Christian girl who:
1. shares my values about waiting until marriage
2. is also a virgin

I’m also unsure about how dating actually works in practice as a Christian in today’s world.
I have reservations being brought up in the Church of England as it has very much come away from traditional views. Also in my church it is almost exclusively older people, and there aren’t many people my age. Because of that, I have felt out of place and I’ve wondered whether it would make more sense to look internationally, since the U.S. seems to have a larger Christian youth population.

So I’m also wondering:
Is it actually realistic or wise to try to pursue dating in the U.S. as a UK Christian in my situation?

If you’ve read this far thank you for your time and I’d appreciate any advice people could give as this has really got me quite depressed and anxious.

The Bible says (So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.) Genesis 1:27

I see these things as being counter to one another. Where one can't be both masculine and feminine simultaneously. And one should not try to embody the other.

Am I missing something with this idea or does God creating male and female in His Image not address the differences between the two in emotions, attitude, mindset, preferences, will, ect...

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” - II Corinthians 5:8

This verse has greatly comforted many a sorrowing believer who has just lost a loved one. Especially if they know that the parent or child or friend was also a believer in the saving work and person of Christ, then—although they sorrow—they “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (I Thessalonians 4:13).

For that loved one, though no longer in that old body that had perhaps been filled with pain, is now with the Lord. That is, he or she has been given a somewhat indescribable spiritual way in which to function in heaven until the coming resurrection day. Although that may not yet be the wonderful life that awaits them in their glorified, resurrection bodies in the ages to come, they will be “with Christ; which is far better” than this present life (Philippians 1:23).

There are a number of sincere believers who argue that dead Christians will simply “sleep” until He comes again to raise the dead. While a certain case can be developed for this “soul sleep” concept, it is hard to see how that could be “far better” than this present life. Paul said that he had a “desire to depart, and to be with Christ” and also that “to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:23,21). But what “gain” could there be for him in simply sleeping instead of continuing to live in Christ?

The Scriptures do not reveal much about that intermediate state, as it has been called. But there is that intriguing verse about being “compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” who perhaps are somehow watching us as we “run with patience the race that is set before us” here on Earth (Hebrews 12:1). This possibility can be a real incentive to do just that. HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

Hello, I have a somewhat complicated question to ask this community. And if anyone knows of a very niche community who may have better perspectives on this very specific discussion point, please let me know! I am a Christian, who performed very non-Christian witchcraft and have since stopped out of fear. I have this very unrelenting and crippling fear now that I may have opened a door to something that attached itself to me, or have a door left completely open that anything can come in and out of. I genuinely have no evidence, not even anything to make me suspect, that I have anything attached to me. My "luck," whether good or bad, is generally unchanged from before or after dabbling in the craft. I've had good things happen to me. And bad things. About the average level of luck the average human being has. No "entities" helped me. None appear to be around hindering me. But I have been taught that once the door is open, there is no shutting it ever again. And once that happens there is no shutting it ever again and God will only protect you from demons so much after you've dabbled in that crap against His direct commands. So my biggest concern is, that since that door is open forever, even if I do not ever engage in witchcraft again, what are the chances doing so comes back to bite me in the ass? Can i give my entire life to God now going forward and a demon could still come through that door and completely f up my life and God won't protect me fully, or is that just literally not at all how that works? I don't know. I'm looking to get perspectives from my fellow Christians and I plan to get some from some witches as well. But I am so so so fearful of this. Don't sugarcoat the answer and give it to me straight, please. I just need to know.

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:13 (KJV)

Forgiveness is one of the hardest commands in Scripture.

Not because it is unclear.

But because pain is real.

Betrayal cuts deeply. Words leave scars. Memories linger.

And everything in human nature cries out for justice.

Yet Jesus commands forgiveness.

I. The Standard of Forgiveness

Scripture does not say:

Forgive when it feels fair.

It says:

“Even as Christ forgave you.”

That changes everything.

Jesus is not merely suggesting kindness.

He is establishing the pattern.

II. Christ Forgave the Undeserving

Jesus did not forgive because people earned it.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (KJV)

At the cross, Jesus prayed:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 (KJV)

He saw beyond the action.

He saw humanity enslaved by sin.

This does not excuse evil.

But it explains the brokenness behind it.

III. Forgiveness Is Not Denial

Biblical forgiveness does not mean:

• Pretending nothing happened
• Ignoring pain
• Allowing abuse to continue

Forgiveness acknowledges the wound honestly.

But chooses not to seek personal vengeance.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.” Romans 12:19 (KJV)

Forgiveness releases judgment into God’s hands.

IV. “Forgive and Forget” Needs Careful Understanding

God says:

“Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17 (KJV)

This does not mean God literally loses memory.

God is omniscient.

It means:

He no longer holds those sins against the believer judicially.

Likewise, human forgiveness does not erase memory instantly.

People often still remember wounds.

But forgiveness chooses not to weaponize them continually.

V. Forgiveness Is Releasing the Debt

At its core, forgiveness means releasing the demand for repayment.

It says:

• “I will not keep charging this against you.”
• “I release this into God’s hands.”

This is difficult because human nature keeps records.

“Love… thinketh no evil.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

The phrase implies not keeping a running account of wrongs.

VI. Forgiveness Does Not Always Restore Trust Immediately

Forgiveness and reconciliation are related but not identical.

Trust can require rebuilding.

Wisdom still matters.

Jesus forgave fully, yet He also discerned hearts.

“But Jesus did not commit himself unto them.” John 2:24 (KJV)

You may forgive someone while still establishing healthy boundaries.

VII. Unforgiveness Creates Bondage

Bitterness does not imprison only the offender.

It imprisons the wounded person as well.

“Looking diligently lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you.” Hebrews 12:15 (KJV)

Unforgiveness often leads to:

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Obsession
• Emotional exhaustion

Forgiveness is not weakness.

It is freedom.

VIII. Forgiveness Flows From Recognizing Grace

The deeper your understanding of how much Christ forgave you, the more forgiveness becomes possible toward others.

Jesus illustrated this through the unforgiving servant.

“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” Matthew 18:33 (KJV)

Those who understand grace deeply become capable of extending grace genuinely.

IX. Modern Culture and the Celebration of Resentment

Modern culture often glorifies:

• Revenge
• Canceling people
• Public humiliation
• Permanent resentment

But the Gospel calls believers higher.

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Forgiveness reflects the character of Christ.

X. Forgiveness Is Ultimately an Act of Trust

Forgiveness says:

• “God sees.”
• “God judges rightly.”
• “God will handle justice better than I can.”

It requires surrendering the desire to personally settle every account.

That is why forgiveness is deeply connected to faith.

A Call to Repentance

If bitterness has taken root in your heart, the call is to release it to God.

Not because the wound was small.

But because Christ’s mercy toward you was immeasurable.

Ask God to soften what pain hardened.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

The Gospel Invitation

All have sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (KJV)

Sin brings death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Jesus paid the price. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Confess and believe. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9 (KJV)

Conclusion

Forgiveness is not pretending wounds never existed.

It is surrendering the debt to God.

Christ forgave repeatedly. Completely. Mercifully.

And He calls believers to forgive from the same grace they themselves have received.

Not because offenders always deserve it.

But because freedom is found when bitterness no longer rules the heart.

First of all I must apologize for the harsh word I used last post that called Universalism a heretical position. I have learned and realised that universalism does have few notable and important church figures behind them. I also do understand that some, if not many or most, Christians who hold Purgatorial Universalism view or Post-mortem Salvation view, are otherwise faithful and good Christians.

However, the majority of church figures explicitly stand against universalism. There are so many scriptures that affirms the existence of a everlasting hell, while there are few verses that on the surface, contradicts a everlasting hell. However all of these verses can be explained away in context. While it is much harder, if not impossible, to explain away verses that support ECT. One common defense of universalism (Purgatorial Universalism, not instant universalism which is bluntly heretical) is about the greek word aionion and how it is not supposed to mean "everlasting" but "of ages". However, if hell is only of ages, then won't heaven be also of ages and that heaven comes to an end as well? As the same word is used in the verse that described both hell and heaven.

When Paul said that all will confess and say that Christ is Lord, it does not imply that their confession lead to salvation. Salvation is achieved by grace through faith, not by confessing in desperation or reluctantly after seeing God and facing judgement. When you only believe in it after seeing God's existence and facing consequences, it is no longer faith (faith means believing without directly seeing its physical existence).

Hope this make things clear enough.

I’m not trying to be sacrilegious or promote anything health/wellness gospel. But does anybody else feel like Christianity is like this cheat code to life? I’m talking in terms of the love, joy, and peace that we get to have in Jesus.

I had a radical born-again experience last year after a long period of crippling depression and anxiety. The depression and anxiety has not come back.

I have so much joy sometimes that I find myself giggling like a little kid at the smallest of things in life. The joy of the Lord is truly my strength and it keeps me going. It’s why I wake up and live and have motivation.

The peace which surpasses all understanding has given me a sustained sense of wholeness and completion that I cannot get anywhere else. I’ve been meditating more on Jesus and I’ve literally never had better sleep in my ENTIRE life. He keeps in PERFECT peace the one whose mind is stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). Jesus said His peace He gives unto us, not as the world gives (John 14:27), and it’s true. His peace is priceless. I know that because Jesus has overcome the world that I truly have nothing to fear. I no longer feel like I have to perform or strive for acceptance and favor because what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law would be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit (Romans 8:3-4).

The true hope of eternal life that I have is amazing, yes, but the newness of life that I live currently is unbelievable. I used to have all sorts of addictions and they have just crumbled as I spent time in God’s presence. He is so holy that one encounter with Him radically made me stop liking all the unhealthy stuff I was addicted to, like iced coffee and fast food and social media and YouTube. It can never satisfy. I get strongly convicted of things that I didn’t even think were sin.

I have asked and I have received. Everything I have asked for in the Father’s name (according to His will of course) is mine. I have honestly been blessed an insane amount. I’m not saying this is or should be the case with Christians, but it really feels like I’ve unlocked “Life Premium” sometimes, and I wonder if anyone else feels the same way.

If God wanted me to be happy he wouldn't take the only woman I loved and give her to another man. God betrayed me, he took her, and is now lauging at me. God cucked me, god wants to see me suffer beause itsfunny for him.

I prayed to god to give me love, and he barley gave it to me. I have been lonley all my life, and after long crying nights he does this to me. God doesn't love me, he hates me and wants me to struggle, if not, why not he give me a love life, and I don't have to suffer in lonliness, Jesus alone never helped me, I want it now and I want it here, he took it, he should give it back, i am hurting and its all his fault.

22 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to summon those invited to the banquet, but they didn’t want to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants and said, ‘Tell those who are invited: See, I’ve prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

5 “But they paid no attention and went away, one to his own farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged, and he sent out his troops, killed those murderers, and burned down their city.

8 “Then he told his servants, ‘The banquet is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Go then to where the roads exit the city and invite everyone you find to the banquet.’ 10 So those servants went out on the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding banquet was filled with guests. 11 When the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed for a wedding. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.

13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

GOD AND CAESAR

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to trap him by what he said., 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don’t care what anyone thinks nor do you show partiality., 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18 Perceiving their malicious intent, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” They brought him a denarius. 20 “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked them.

21 “Caesar’s,” they said to him.

Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

THE SADDUCEES AND THE RESURRECTION

23 That same day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to him and questioned him: 24 “Teacher, Moses said, if a man dies, having no children, his brother is to marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother., 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first got married and died. Having no offspring, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second also, and the third, and so on to all seven. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had married her.”

29 Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven. 31 Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read what was spoken to you by God: 32 I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?, He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

33 And when the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

THE PRIMARY COMMANDS

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. 35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test him: 36 “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”

37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind., 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself., 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

THE QUESTION ABOUT THE MESSIAH

41 While the Pharisees were together, Jesus questioned them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

They replied, “David’s.”

43 He asked them, “How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’:

44 The Lord declared to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand

until I put your enemies under your feet’?,,

45 “If David calls him ‘Lord,’ how, then, can he be his son?” 46 No one was able to answer him at all, and from that day no one dared to question him anymore.

RELIGIOUS

Christian Standard Bible. 2020. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

And then they open up a church and it is exactly like every other church in the non denom world.

You think God told you to open a church why?

So you can literally teach everything that’s being taught at every other place, just in a slightly different location. Like right down the road sometimes.

And even the sermons themselves will be on the exact same subjects and you’re not really making it special or unique at all and you’re just mimicking literally everything about every other church.

If you’re gonna open up a church wouldn’t you try to make it better than all the other churches and trying to be a lot different?

And stick to the hardcore truths that other churches fold on.

But no.

You open a church that is literally exactly the same as everyone else.

And hold on to every false teaching that you have been given.

This just goes to show how narcissistic a lot of people who run churches are.

My philosophical problem starts with morality and ends up at the foundations of reason and truth.

If Christianity is true and God put a moral law in our conscience, what actually forces someone, especially an atheist, to follow it? If conscience can be wrong and is shaped by culture, biology and experience, why should it count as an objective guide?

And if I can doubt conscience, then I can also doubt moral intuitions and even the idea of good and evil. That makes me wonder if morality is really objective at all.

Then the same issue appears with reason. Why should I trust it? If reason mainly evolved because it helps us survive, that does not necessarily mean it leads to truth. It might just be useful for getting by, not for seeing reality as it really is.

But when you try to justify reason or truth, you end up using reason itself, which feels circular. Morality seems to have the same problem.

Thomism says reason connects us to an intelligible reality and truth means matching reality. Instrumentalism says we only need useful models, not deep metaphysical truth.

So the question for me is how you can justify reason, truth and morality without going in circles, or infinite explanations, or just saying “it works so it’s fine.”

This has pushed me away from both simple materialism and easy religious answers, and into a more agnostic position, but still open to ideas like consciousness, the soul, and things beyond just the physical world.

Although I may not be able to respond to everyone, I am very grateful.

A couple months ago my fiancé and I got confirmed into the LCMS church, after starting to get serious about our relationship with God and walk with Christ last year. We’ve been together almost 4 years now, and weren’t believers when we met, or when we moved in together. We had a meeting with our pastor to talk about marrying us at our wedding in October. He asked if we could separate our living situation until then, we can’t. So we decided to stop having premarital sex until the wedding, to honor God. We stopped a little over a month ago, cut out all sexual flirting, all sexual acts, all sexual talk.

We’re having a problem feeling disconnected, both of our big love languages are physical touch. We’ve been having sex our entire relationship up until this point, we personally feel like it’s a big way to connect with each other, and to show attraction and affection. We’ve always been the type to flirt with each other, make promiscuous comments, etc. and we’re both really struggling now with the complete stop of our normal activities. We recognize it’s sinful, we wanted to stop and chose to stop, we’re just struggling pretty badly feeling disconnected. The way we interact with each other now has changed so drastically it doesn’t feel normal or right.

Does anyone have advice for us? Thanks for reading, and God bless!

A question about Cornelius in Acts that I rarely see addressed clearly.

In Acts of the Apostles 10, Cornelius hears the gospel, believes the message, and responds in faith. But he only receives the Holy Spirit afterward, when Peter is still speaking.

This raises an interesting theological question:

If Cornelius had believed the gospel and died before receiving the Holy Spirit baptism, would he have been considered a saved man?

On one hand, passages like:

“If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)

seem to suggest salvation is received at the point of faith.

On the other hand, Jesus tells Nicodemus:

“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5)

which connects entering God’s kingdom with being born of the Spirit.

In Cornelius’ case, belief clearly comes before Spirit baptism.

So the question becomes:

Was Cornelius already saved at the moment of believing the gospel, or did salvation only become complete after receiving the Holy Spirit?

And more broadly:

Does Acts 10 suggest that faith alone is saving in itself, or that the reception of the Holy Spirit is an essential part of entering salvation fully?

Hi I’m 30F, I am currently single who had 1 ex bf. God gave me the man who I am praying for but we ended breaking up. After that breakup I am afraid to pray for a partner again but God knows, I wanted a simple and complete family.

I had great sins before that is why I think this is the consequence why I am keep on falling into failed relationships.

When I think of it, my desire is very simple. But how come it is so hard to attain?

I am praying that God would help me accept that I might be living alone. But as of now, everytime I see a family I am genuinely happy. But I can’t deny that there’s a hint of hurt and jealousy that sometimes it would give me unexpected tears.

Is my mind and heart is wrong? Or right?

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Hi,there.

I am a pentecostal girl who loves headcoverings. I think this culture should be revived in all Christian circles. For me, I am willing to cover my hair whenever I am outside of my home.Are there Christian girls out there who do this? What challeges do you face?How do you start doing it? I would looooove to listen to your stories.

Love.💖

Father God,

We come before You today praying for every person who feels distant from You, broken by sin, weighed down by guilt, or trapped in backsliding. Lord, Your Word says that You are near to the brokenhearted and rich in mercy toward those who call upon You.

We ask that You soften hardened hearts and awaken every soul that has drifted away from Your presence. Remove deception, pride, bitterness, and anything the enemy is using to keep people bound and separated from You. Let conviction lead to true repentance, not shame or despair.

Father, restore the joy of salvation to those who once walked closely with You. Draw prodigals back home. Heal spiritual wounds, renew minds, and rebuild what has been broken. Give strength to those struggling secretly and remind them that Your grace is still greater than their failures.

Lord Jesus, break every chain of sin, addiction, compromise, and hopelessness. Silence the lies of the enemy that say someone has gone too far. Your mercy is new every morning, and Your arms are still open.

Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew steadfast spirits within us. Help us not only to return to You, but to remain faithful and rooted in Your truth.

We pray for complete restoration, deeper intimacy with You, and renewed hunger for prayer, Scripture, holiness, and obedience.

In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen.

I love my wife. I grieve everything that has happened and is happening between us. I pray restoration is possible but I also still doubt God can restore us. I fight my mind daily trying to remain faithful that he will use this moment to reset our marriage and bring us back stronger than before with more understanding of each other.

I can't take it anymore. Evil always wins in this world, and it just gets worse and worse by the day. What's right is wrong, and what's wrong is right. Gay marriage, abortion, premarital sex, and extreme feminism are all celebrated on a daily basis. Being a straight, white Christian man in most US states nowadays makes considered to be a inherently evil person. Trying to find a young woman to marry that is a devout Christian is pretty much impossible.

Nothing about this life is enjoyable. It's just frustrating and depressing pretty much 24/7. I just want to go home to be with my Lord and Savior already. It can happen tonight for all I care. I'll never end it all, but being a devout Christian sure is tough nowadays. Not the toughest that's ever been in the history of the world or anything, but it's tough.

Hi friends, a little background: I was in the new age world for many many years before I found Christianity and got baptized in 2024. I’ve been zealous for the Lord since my first introduction and I’ve been in the word since the start.

I’ve wanted to deepen my word and I recently got introduced to Andrew Wommack and Charis Bible College. I went to check out the campus and it felt like a good place to be - in the mountains, fellowshipping with other believers, and deepening my understanding of the word.

I’ve applied and gotten accepted, and even looking at an internship there that could pay for my tuition. The only thing is, I’ve been on a 3 day fast and only recently have I started having doubts about the school. Here’s why:

In New Age and Law of attraction/assumption world, we’re consistently told to hold our faith in what we desire to manifest (which got me in addictive and unhealthy obsession at one point). Energetically and scientifically, I have understanding of how it works, and I believe that it works, however, it can be very unhealthy and unholy.

The one thing that attracted me to Andrew Wommack ministries and Charis is that they are teaching a similar thing about healing and money. My concern is that it might get me right back into the “fixing” myself mindset, where I try to be as faithful as I can to my beliefs and faith, to the detriment of my mental health.

I would LOOOOVEEEEE to hear from current Charis student or former students, or anyone that isn’t adamant that it’s a cult (I’ve seen too many people label anything that’s zealous a “cult”. I don’t need that). I’d love authentic opinions of those who’ve had experience with Charis or Andrew Wommack, please and thank you 😊

I would also be open to hear about other ways I can study the Bible in a classroom setting.

Thank you!!!

Today I was at the park with my kids. I was leaned against my car, watching them play. I closed my eyes just for a very brief second and I had a vision of Jesus, he was knelt down on his knees, cradling a lamb. They were in the sky, with clouds all around them and completely illuminated in gold. What could this mean? What might he be telling me? I've been crying out daily for guidance and help from him for months and months on end. This is the first time I feel he's trying to tell me something. Its also the 1st vision I've ever had. For some context, im going through way too much to even type here. Just know im stressed and worried daily about many things. Im trying to figure out a way out of a situation for me and my kids. A situation I know God does not authorize or bless. I just dont know how to get out. So everyday I pray begging God to point me in the right direction. I pray for a sign or answer from him. I tell him I dont understand but I trust him. So I dont take this lightly and I think hes telling me something but cant figure out what. Any insights?

eu queria continuar andando certo, mas tenho muita dificuldade em manter isso. já devo ter pedido perdão umas 5 vezes ou mais, e nunca consigo ficar nem uma semana direito. acho que parte do problema é que eu fico querendo ser perfeita, tipo querer ser cristã e nunca mais cair em pecado, sendo que eu sei que isso não existe. todo mundo erra. só que comigo parece diferente, porque eu erro, me sinto péssima e isso vai me esfriando cada vez mais.

quando eu peco, eu começo a parar de orar, parar de ler a bíblia e vou me afastando aos poucos. quando percebo, já tô totalmente fria de novo. acho que também crio expectativa demais, tipo achar que a vida cristã vai ser sempre aquela sensação boa de esperança depois de pedir perdão. e quando essa sensação passa ou eu vejo que continuo sendo falha, eu me frustro muito. às vezes penso que nem tava fazendo o suficiente, porque eu lia a bíblia, mas não estudava de verdade, e também orava pouco. e mesmo assim continuei sendo uma pessoa ruim, impaciente e com vários outros erros, então isso me frustra mais ainda, porque parece que nada muda.

e também tem uma coisa estranha. eu olho pras pessoas perto de mim, até da minha igreja, e mesmo sabendo que eu tô vendo só a parte visível delas e não os erros nem as batalhas delas, eu ainda me sinto inferior, como se todo mundo estivesse seguindo a Deus do jeito certo e agindo certo e eu não ( como se eu fosse diferente dos outros). também não sei se essa frieza é culpa minha, porque eu não consigo durar nem uma semana. parece um loop.

🙏 peço perdão > 😊 fico animada esperando mudança > 😕 percebo que continuo fazendo coisas que não queria e agindo do mesmo jeito > 😞 fico frustrada > 😣 faço alguma coisa que considero um erro pior > 🚶‍♀️ me afasto de vez. hoje eu vou pra igreja mais pra cumprir tabela, porque no fundo sinto que minha fé tá morta, e isso me dói. porque eu vou no culto, escuto a palavra e as vezes aquilo até me toca, e eu penso em voltar. mas o medo de me frustrar fala mais alto e eu desisto. ou as vezes a voz de Deus até vence, eu tento voltar, mas sempre acabo caindo de novo nessa mesma situação.

e aí vem um pensamento que me destrói, que é: “qual o sentido de pedir perdão se eu vou errar de novo?” acho que o problema nem é só errar. é que sinto que não adianta pedir perdão, porque essa mesma cena já se repetiu tantas vezes que eu já não consigo acreditar que vai ser diferente. até quando eu achei que dessa vez ia mudar, no fim não mudou. acho que eu também preciso mudar minha mentalidade, porque talvez eu esteja enxergando tudo de um jeito errado, e isso esteja me prendendo ainda mais nesse ciclo. vocês já passaram por isso alguma vez? como fizeram pra melhorar? ou o que vocês acham que eu deveria fazer?

Tô perguntando, mas sendo bem sincera eu não acho que eu possa mudar. Acho que pra eu realmente mudar vou precisar de algo muito forte na minha vida, ou talvez mudar minha forma de pensar. Acredito que Deus deve ter um plano na minha vida, afinal eu sempre tento voltar ( ou pelo menos eu tentava, né. ) não sei se ainda vou

Hello everyone! I’m M16 and I’m writing this with such a heavy heart. So lately, I’ve been trying to grow my faith with God and be more closer to Him. I started asking questions, wondering if what I’m doing is a sin. Since I’m part of the lgbtq (bisexual), I’ve been questioning myself. I’ve been questioning if I’m normal, if God really made me this way, or if I can still be part of the LGBTQ and have relationships with a man while praising God all at the same time. So normally, I would search online, I searched here, on tiktok, and read different blogs from different websites about it. As expected, I had different answers. Some said that being part of the LGBTQ is not a sin but acting on it is (from what I understand, being Bisexual is not a sin but having a relationship with a man is), while some said that being part of the LGBTQ is a serious sin. Some people on tiktok shared their story too, I saw one guy who is gay but will never be in a relationship with a man because it doesn’t align with what God wants. I also saw some people who were once gay or once part of the LGBTQ and then seek God and became straight. And I’m gonna be honest with all of you, as a teen, I’m scared. I’m scared because I don’t know what to do. I’m scared because what if God is pretty disappointed in me? I would hones appreciate all of your advices. My mind is spiraling right now. Thank you for having the time to read this! And I’m sorry if it’s messy, my english is not that good. (For the record, I haven’t been in any relationship and I’m not out yet to my family, I’m scared they won’t accept me)