Holding on to the Past

[Bro.Steingass]

Has any ex-worlders here been saved, trying to live right, but yet, you still held on to some of the things from your old life and didn't know why?

For example: old worldly albums, you don't actually listen to them, nor do you intend to, but for some reason you keep them in the basement, or garage, and you use the excuse, "well, i've got a lot of money wrapped up in there"

Then, if you eventually got rid of them, what did you do with them? Burn them? sold them? Why did you do what you did?

Were you blessed as a result of stamping out that old smoldering fire?

[tufluv]

VERY GOOD QUESTION!(s) I like these type. Too bad I have no time to answer just yet, will ponder on it, though, and get back to ya later!
Thats one of those "going back in time" questions, think back, wa-ay back to things you used to cherish, but now don't!
MEMORIES! Good or bad? Hmmm....

[survivor4christ]

I have to say, by the grace of God, that once I became born again, it was no struggle at all to rid of everything in my house that gave a hint of ungodliness. I was very zealous for the things of God and did not want the distractions of worldly paraphenalia (sp).

I know people who have a very difficult time letting go of such things, and even though I love them dearly, I find them to be very carnal. Stagnated in growth somehow.

God wants us to go on to perfection, leaving those things which are behind. Of what spiritual value is it to hang on to worldly music if you know if you indugle in it you will be carnal, worldly? does not make sense to me.

JMHO,
Sis. Wenona

[tufluv]

Okay, Sis Wenona said it well, ditto for me!
One thing I can think of right now, that some may :rolleyes:
at is PANTS/SLACKS! I threw all of them away! Some GOD removed HIMself (mentioned in a long ago post)!
Never have missed them, never will!
I have been spiritually blessed, to be sure.
ALSO, makeup!!! As I never wore much ever, anyway, it was a pleasure to know I did not need it anymore. Just recently, however, in cleaning out my garage, I found an old baggie with some, and THREW IT OUT! Guess I overlooked that or something., we've moved a lot, sometimes I don't bother unpacking some boxes.
No more wasted money of haircuts either!! Halleluyah! I've never looked back at any of these things, what is loss to some, I 'count it all gain' for CHRIST!
I also threw out any bottles that looked like they might be mistaken for alcohol-ish. I don't care much for any ornamental type things in my home either, you know, I lost a lot of my former "likes", or interests. I used to be a stickler for home decor, not any more., if anything it must be of a spiritual nature, I have lots of 'bare' walls now., and it doesn't really bother me!
Well, thats enough yak-king for now.

[Ysan]

Our family had the same question when we gathered everything for a bonfire. The ONLY exception we made was some items left from a family member that had passed away, some old records/8tracks/video etc. All of course we keep in storage-only, nothing else.

[pastorb]

My thing was Pool, I loved to shoot pool. I used to play pool for pay checks. Yes, I was that good, however when I got saved, the only place I could play was in the sports bar. I used to go every now and then when it was day time, but then the Lord convicted me because this was some place I wouldn't feel comfortable bringing my family, so I knew I didn't belong there.

When we move into our new house in September I plan to have space for a pool table.

Drinking wasn't a temptation, nor smoking I just knew it wasn't an environment condusive to Godliness.

I can still play now, nine ball, eight ball, straight eight, last pocket, billiards, name your game.

I also had a brother in the church who when he got saved used to smoke weed and he told God, "Lord, you know I love smoking weed, if it's your desire for me to be saved and you want me to stop you have to take it from me." And he said the Lord did it. He is a deacon now, and a good man of faith who loves to see God work.

[Bro.Steingass]

Tell me more about how having things "around" can either allow evil spirits or hinderances to your spirit. I am curious about this stagnated growth.

Like a runner strives for greater lung capacity, Christians strive for greater spririt capacity. Tell me how the past hinders growth.

[tufluv]

Oh-h, T H A T!!!

Well, for me, I don't have a problem with things of the past, symbols of it, there are none, except for my sons!! :D
AND they are the only good remnant of that pastlife left!

BUT, I kinda catch your drift, I can relate only the scenario of my husband who is a baptized saint with stunted growth from one of several things -Cigarettes-he's NEVER been able to leave them, says its too hard, and I have to LOOK at those packs all the time, smell it all over him, he leaves a trail-YUCK! I used to smoke, only when I drank though, so I was never addicted to nicotine, only alky.
Seeing my husband with that stuff does not make me want any.
He also likes to listen to old worldly music, (that I used to love), and it makes me sick. I used to yell at him each time, now I just give him a look, or ask him "how is that glorifying Christ"...
my sons also., I get no answers though, only 'huffs'! :cry:

I can't for the life of me understand how someone's life cannot be transformed by the power of the HG!! Thats one of the reasons we receive it! One of my sons has it, my husband no. Yet some people who leave reading the WORD behind, seeking only things of the flesh, inevitably stunt their growth, they continue to have fellowship with darkness-thinking it won't affect them-Ha!!(self deception).

Some people can do all the above, and GO TO CHURCH somewhat regularly, and still leave unchanged. Their ears are
waxed cold.
And before I get accused of pointing fingers at my family, I REALLY DO NOT HAVE anything from the past that I have clung to. Any remnants of anything-I do examine myself-I do deal with as I learn more, like holidays.
In fact, I don't like having much to do with family!! That reject my saviour JESUS CHRIST, the whole truth, acts2:38. I feel kinda sickly to my stomach. I do NOT fellowship with darkness, period.
I have enough to contend with at home! I am however, not letting that 'drag' me down, I continue in my joyous spirit, ever grateful to my JESUS., knowing that each one answers to GOD, I can only do or say so much, the rest is between GOD & saints.
GOD BLESS! :angel:

[bill]

I remember when Gateway first purchased their current building. If I remember right, it used to be a place where catholic priests were trained. (not sure though) At any rate, in the chapel, there were several statues (i.e., idols!) in there that, had they been sold, would have been worth quite a bit. Instead they destroyed them. I have a problem with this, as they may have been sold to help pay off the building. Am I wrong in feeling this way? People at Gateway seemed to think so! I just don't see anything wrong with selling things that are worth some money, that seem to be works of art. Or for that, old worldly albums or tapes. I guess so long as they don't worship the devil, could it be okay to just sell them? But of course if you're talking about porn or something sick like that, then go ahead and enjoy your bonfire! :)

Be blessed!

[tufluv]

You know, Bill, I have pondered that myself, and what I have learned to do is just 'get rid of it' don't give or sell to anyone else, destroy it!
This came from once reading about alcohol (my former nemesis) that, biblically, if one even 'serves' or provides that as a choice of beverage to someone visiting, one is guilty!! That struck me deep.
I've never forgotten that, I was reading a lot when I was trying to stop that vice, and thats before I even knew about acts2:38, there's a verse that was included with that study about alcohol I I believe, I'll have to back and look it up.
BUT, I figured that should apply to everything, so stuff like say pants/slacks, provacative clothing, old music, I discard. Why care just about me? I figure if its WRONG, period, then I won't share it with innocent, naive others.
As for those expensive idols, I would have to agree with those others.

[stmatthew]

When I really got dedicated to Oneness, I gave all my books away that were by trinity authors. I cleaned house and refused to read any spiritual book by someone in false doctrine.

I have sence realized that i gave away some valuable books that I cannot replace from the turn of the century. I have also bought back a lot of books that I gave away, as the message within was on subjects like prayer and fasting, and our need for revival.

[O2blikehim]

Bill, I think that it all depends what that statue meant to you in a former life. If you had prayed to it you may have felt differently.

For example, I see Tuflove is 100% against alcohol. Not all Apostolics would agree with her stance , yet if they knew where she was brought from then they would understand why she takes strong position.

In Christ, Stephen

[bill]

Bro Matthew, I agree with you bro. I get stuff in the mail all the time, books by different authors, many of them apostolic, teaching some new doctrine. I give them a thourough read, especially if they are detailed. I figure, if they went through the trouble of spending the money and printing it, writing it, editing it, ect, the least I could do is read them. But I know many pastors who through away the book Larry Smith sent out teaching his preterism heresy. I kept it, if for no other reason, one day if I ever debate it, I can use it as a source and quote him. At any rate, I try and keep any book or article that is controversial, even if I don't agree with it. I heard of a pastor who read an article on T.V. that he didn't agree with. He got so mad he threw it away! I read the same article and I'm keeping it just because it's controversial.

o2belikehim, wise words brother.

[Thelordisone]

An apostolic should agree with Tuf for the following;

1 Corinthians 5:6 - Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

1 Corinthians 5:7 - Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

1 Corinthians 5:8 - Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Galatians 5:9 - A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

then,

Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost

not enough?

1 Corinthians 6:9 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!

[Bro.Steingass]

Well, I'm not about to throw out my Stephen Ambrose War History Books just because the Guy happens to be a Baptist or whatever. I'm really not asking about Spiritual Things, I'm talking about Worldly relics like old albums, Plastic Toys representing Rock groups, bar signs, etc. Things that while not directly causing one to stumble, they are just held on to for whatever reason. Symbols of the old life.

[pastorb]

Bro Steingass,

You said, Tell me more about how having things "around" can either allow evil spirits or hinderances to your spirit. I am curious about this stagnated growth.

Like a runner strives for greater lung capacity, Christians strive for greater spririt capacity. Tell me how the past hinders growth.

This is my reply:
There are things that we have all done in our lives and some even though they may not be directly related to or could be called sin, they can ruin your testimony with others by letting your good be evil spoken of.

Case in point:
My kids love to dance, is dancing wrong or worldly? No, mine don't dance to worldly music.

Can worldly music send me one to hell? No, but because I am now alive to spiritual things, it's not beneficial to feed my spirit with dead things.

Should I continue to go to the sports bar and play pool even though I'm saved, I don't smoke or drink and they did have good sandwiches? No, because a baby saint who may be or have been struggling with tose issues may see me and use me as a means to validate him going well, pastor is strong enough to go so I can too.

The bible says that he that winneth souls is wise and if our focus is soul winning, we will judge everything we do that we be not judged by the world and allow our good to be evil spoken of.

We work out our souls salvation with fear and trembling, and we work toward sanctification striving for holiness.

But there are righteous as well as unrighteous acts:

Saints that have no self control (temper)
Can't control their tongue (will curse you out)
saints who smoke or drink (lacking faith to trust God)
Lovers of money (always broke and in debt, bill collectors chasing you, can't buy a car without 25% interest)
Playing the lottery (gambling with money thats not yours)
A Lying tongue (one who is untruthful)
The clothing you wear (tight fitting, flesh exposer, piercings and tattoes)

Alot of these things will ruin your testimony and destroy your anointing so that you can't be heard

As the people of god we must understand that good credit has nothing to do with TRW. Because we were made in his image and after his likeness, there is an anointing that rest upon each of us and with that anointing comes purpose but many of us never fulfill the full potential of our purpose because we have allowed the devil to so destroy our lives that we can't be heard because of credibility, because of character.

My favorite scripture among many is James 4:17 "to him that knows to do good and to do it not, to him it is sin."

Pauls said forgetting those things that are behind me, I press toward, which indicates a change of direction or a new focus, mine is Jesus.

[Sandy]

Well, I know one thing my husband definitely said some years ago he gave up, which was all his pride. :angel:

That is until a friend, said to him, "Yea, and I bet your proud of it too". :laugh:


Sorry Al and all, I just could not resist. So it is ok if you throw rocks at me if you want. :eek: :beammeup:

:goof:

[pastorb]

Thats funny

[Sandy]

We all almost fell out of our chairs laughing, including Al, when this actually did happen many moons ago.

My husband does not care if I tell it either. That is just one of the many things that I love about him.

[Bro.Steingass]

Pastorb,

some people are irresponsible with their money....true, and some are in those same situations that you mentioned not because of Credit Card debts, etc. .... but Medical Bills, divorces, accidents, and other unforseens. Is that considered an unrighteous person because their condition is the same, but their circumstances are different?

Or are you talking about those who continually, purposely misuse the gifts of God?