Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

This topic has 60 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by HSMom03.

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June 29, 2016 at 3:48 pm
psreitmom
Participant
If you want to be saved, Jesus will save you. John Macarthur is wrong about letting go of things to be saved. That would mean you are getting saved by something you have done. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us we are saved through faith, not of ourselves, not of works. We let go of sin after we trust the Lord for salvation, because He then calls us to live in obedience to His Word, and we become a new creature. Repentance unto salvation is the attitude of the heart that you are turning your back on sin and have decided to follow Christ. It sounds like you want to be saved, but this false teaching is keeping you from making that decision. Don’t let Satan have the victory.
If your husband is a Christian and goes to a good church, talk to the pastor there about your spiritual battle. He can guide you through Scripture. Do not rely on what man is saying. John Macarthur also believes that only SOME people can be saved. But, the Bible is clear that Christ died for ALL people. You are included. Not all will be saved, because many reject Him, but God gives opportunity to everyone. Even after salvation, we still mess up. We are still in the flesh, so there is always going to be a battle between the flesh and the spirit that indwells us after we get saved. No one is perfect until we leave this mortal body.
I witnessed to a co-worker of my daughter’s. She is a lesb***. She cried and cried when I talked to her. I think she was under conviction, but she refused to take God’s gift of salvation, because she did not want to give up her life style. She cannot give up her lifestyle without God’s help. But, God cannot help her if she rejects Him. You, on the other hand, have acknowledged your sin and want to be saved. Don’t let Satan hinder you from doing that. If you want me to give you more specific Scripture, feel free to email me at psreit62 @ yahoo dot com. Praying for you.
June 30, 2016 at 2:22 am
Regan
Participant
Okay, I looked up what you suggested and found a website that is not John MacArthur at all but someone else comments! I’m not sure if they are comments on John MacArthurs book! What I can tell you is that God pursues us, we don’t pursue him! If we have desire to follow Christ, it is from him! We all have rebellion in our past! All of us!!! We have all made choices that have grieved the heart of God! We have reaped the consequences of those choices! If you desire to be saved, it isn’t about some magical prayer and all the right words! If the Lord has broken you over your sin and the broken person you are, GOOD!!! That’s an accurate description of all of us, me included! God doesn’t save based on what we deserve or on our past! John MacArthur says on his Grace to You website that ” Scripture encourages us to examine ourselves to determine if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Peter wrote, “Be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you” (2 Peter 1:10). It is right to examine our lives and evaluate the fruit we bear, for “each tree is known by its own fruit” (Luke 6:44).” He also says, “And yet, many in the church today put their faith in—and draw their assurance from—a single moment when they experienced deep conviction or made an emotional decision. Some return to their sinful lifestyles, counting on God’s grace to cover their rebellious indulgences. Others try to live pious lives, but their behavior is more legalism than legitimate righteousness—in fact, it’s of no more value than the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.” So, my thoughts are, if you know you have lived as if you were a true follower of Christ, when indeed you were not and you desire to follow him now! You can be saved! If you realize this, then your heart is not hard and rebellious but you in fact see your need for Christ like never before! It is God who regenerates us! Now, I only quoted John MacArthur because you mentioned his book, but please the whole word of God and get solid on this! If you do indeed follow Christ, a changed life will be the evidence to you and others! I would fast and pray and read the word! And seek biblical counsel! Do you have a good church home that has solid biblical teaching? I can see you are agonizing over this, but I want you to know it is not hopeless!
June 30, 2016 at 5:59 am
HSMom03
Participant
Thanks Regan! Yes, for me I fear that it was just a pious life w/legalism 🙁
I do see my need for Christ more than ever now. I read God’s Word but only find condemnation. I will keep trying.
I wish I had assurance of forgiveness (and salvation!) through the Holy Spirit, because then I would know that I was saved before I got married like I had thought.
June 30, 2016 at 6:28 am
HSMom03
Participant
This describes my situation when the Lord directed me to lay down a relationship and I didn’t. I just wish I knew how to fix it.
“14. What wrenching experience will some who have been sent these strong delusions face in the judgment day? “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22, 23.
Answer: Those who are crying “Lord, Lord” will be shocked and stunned that they are shut out. They will be absolutely positive that they are saved. Jesus will then doubtless remind them of that crucial time in their lives when the Holy Spirit brought new truth and conviction. It was crystal clear and obviously true. It kept them awake nights, troubled and wrestling over a decision. How their hearts burned within them! Finally, they said, “No!” And they refused to listen further to the Holy Spirit. Then came a strong delusion that caused them to feel saved when they were lost. Could a human being face any greater tragedy?”
June 30, 2016 at 6:30 am
HSMom03
Participant
That is from Amazing Facts No Turning Back Bible Study Guide.
June 30, 2016 at 6:53 am
Rachel White
Participant
…because then I would know that I was saved before I got married like I had thought.
Why is knowing something from long ago, or your perception of knowing, matter to you? It’s been 11 years minimum and you have admitted to having a G-dly husband and father to your children CURRENTLY. This, now, and the future is what matters.
Romans 8:28 says that “All things (not just the right and good, but all) work together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose”. This is presented to us in the present sense, not past. So, whether you were saved then really is not the question you should be hanging, or jeopardizing your present and/or future, and the futures of your family, on.
Secondly, you haven’t responded to anyone’s calls, questions, and concerns about your getting legitimate counsel; whether you have a legitimate, healthy spiritual authority, in addition to your husband, on seeking professional therapy, and the concern for your children during this time. Because they ARE watching and hearing you, setting down perceptions of G-d, and worried about the sadness if their mommy; and I’m sure your husband is very concerned about you and them.
You haven’t given any indication, from what I have read, that you think you need help outside of what you’ve found on google and your own subjectivity (which includes perception of the “Holy Spirit”, which is altered by modern humans into a feeling only based experience), both of which are dangerous.

June 30, 2016 at 7:50 am
Rachel White
Participant
I looked at the website you are referring to:
One dangerous way in interpreting the way they do (topically) is that they have a topic or premise and then they find individual verses which they think support their thesis; that disregards context, the totality of all Scripture, and even what the original language-Greek-means and how any parallels in Hebrew contribute to understanding of the Scripture; I saw that several times on just one page of reading in the No Turning Back page
Some answers were just flat out wrong (ex: about Lucifer and being pardoned-angels aren’t human and therefore don’t get the benefit of redemption); this site even claims that using tobacco products will quench the Holy Spirit!
The interpretation you’ve given above has many things wrong with it and it’s why you are aggrieved unnecessarily:
It is projecting thoughts and actions into the verse that aren’t in the words of Jesus himself; there’s no reference to what I said above: context (cultural too), original languages, totality of Scripture from Gen to Rev
What Jesus was doing was not uncommon for a Prophet-which He was-to call out, in dramatic ways, for people to come to repentance
However, the call to repentance is given with an answer for the problem; and that doesn’t mean you need to “fix” anything; Jesus fixed it already; you are only to live from here; we cannot go back in time and change things-don’t be shackled to the past; you have the future ahead to look towards; a call to repentence can be genuine or it can come from false guilt (emotion-based, not Holy Spirit) which I think some of this may be the result of the “teachings” on this site
There is not condemnation in Messiah; but there IS in the experience of false guilt, because it’s parallizing; G-d doesn’t parallize us, He frees us
You’re married; that is a holy union that should only be broken under very specific circumstances; whether either one of you were or were not saved when you got married, doesn’t have to determine your position with G-D now; you don’t need to leave your husband (if that has crossed your mind) to somehow go back in time and correct a perceived incorrectness you have- as this “study” seems to have stirred a false guilt into you-or you are eternally separated from Our L-rd-which is false
Maybe it would be helpful for you to read 1 Cor 7; as it deals with spouses who were married in unbelief , but one became a believer after marriage; Paul does not tell the believing spouse to leave the non-believing spouse; or “fix” anything, just to how to walk forward in this life
June 30, 2016 at 8:00 am
psreitmom
Participant
I’m sure you are familiar with the apostle Paul. Before his conversion, he was murdering Jews! The Lord still saved him! Even after his conversion, there is a Scripture (don’t have the reference right now) where Paul calls himself chief of sinners. He says that what he doesn’t want to do, he does, and what he should do, he doesn’t do. So, he is still battling the old nature. We are talking about the apostle Paul! A murderer, who turned out to be one of the greatest witnesses for Jesus Christ! But, he still battled with the flesh. He was not perfect. Your past is past. There are things in my past that I terribly regret, and Satan still tries to rob me of my joy, and assurance. But, I could do NOTHING to save myself. I have to just believe I am saved because I have trusted in the finished work of Calvary. Then a changed life will follow. Forget about the past. Like a PP said, it is not because of a feeling. You have acknowledged your sin. Give your life to Christ and begin a new life as His child. And, that does not mean apart from your family. You have made a commitment before God and your husband ‘until death you do part’.
I will share this, and then I will not say anything else. When I was in high school, I really had the desire to be a missionary in some foreign country. I cannot say whether that was Holy Spirit speaking to me, or if it was just something I wanted to do, because I was living in the flesh much of my teen years. I went to a Christian college for one year, but all I cared about was finding a husband. I ended up coming home and finding one. Needless to say, I never did become a foreign missionary. If that is truly what God wanted for my life, I missed out. But, am I not saved because I didn’t follow that leading? No! God is a forgiving God. His Word says MANY times over, His mercies are new every morning! He’s forgiven me for going my own way. Should I go to the foreign mission field now? No! Why? Because it is not where my husband believes to be called. To be obedient to God’s Word, I need to submit to my husband. God sometimes puts us on a different path because of decisions we make. But, He can still use us where we are.
God’s will for you now is to obey His Word by being the wife and mother He desires for EACH of us to be. Someone else mentioned the verse about ‘forgetting those things that are behind’. You can’t go back and change anything. What matters now is that you settle your salvation, and move forward in your God-given responsibilities where you are now, with a husband and children that are God’s blessings to you. There should be no question about where you belong.
June 30, 2016 at 8:21 am
MissusLeata
Participant
I’m someone who does believe that a person can be reprobate and beyond reach, but your story doesn’t sound like it.
For starters, have you ever come to Christ? Before you met/married your husband, were you born again?
What do you base salvation on? Do you believe that a Christian can sin and be forgiven? Why do you think your sin is unforgivable when Jesus said only blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable?
Also, as someone who struggles with depression, I disagree with putting on you “be healthy for your children.” I don’t think you need that pressure right now.
You need peace from God, not pressure to perform.
When we find ourselves sinning, we repent. Christians do that every day. Scripture teaches us to.
If you know you need Christ, you have a desire to be His, to be changed, to follow Him, then you are not a person for whom there is no hope. That desire comes from Him. Stand on that and seek Him. Believe every promise in Scripture. Ask Him for faith to believe more.
Praying for you!
June 30, 2016 at 8:48 am
Rachel White
Participant
@Missusleata: you said
“be healthy for your children.” I don’t think you need that pressure right now. You need peace from God, not pressure to perform.
I think perhaps you misunderstood,and took out of context, the comments on being healthy for the children.
It wasn’t about performing, but about motivation to get help for herself AND the children; about trying help her ‘get out of herself’ and try to consider the effects on her children.
This is the opposite of performing. But has everything to do with becoming a healthy thinking and feeling individual by getting help from an outside source so that she can be healthy for her children, who are dependents.
It would irresponsible not to bring up the potential and real effects this is having on her family, not for guilt, but to be realistic to the consequences; so as a result, get help.
Frankly, I still haven’t heard from our tortured friend the recognition of this reality of how this is affecting her family, too; which leads to taking the steps to seeking outside help.
She is still very subjective and inward- focused (which is, from my experience, indicative of her depression), which necessitates professional help.
June 30, 2016 at 10:13 am
Jen
Participant
I am wondering if this is one of the scriptures that you are refering to about loosing Salvation?…
Hebrews 6:4-6 ESV
“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”
Notice that this is not talking about salvation but repentance. My Bible’s footnotes say that the meaning here is that it is impossible for such as have fallen after baptism, to again be baptized; and very hard for such as have apostolized from the faith, after having received many graces, to return again to the happy state from which they fell.
I don’t believe this has to do with salvation but with loosing our innocence and hardening our hearts. It’s a good thing that the Lord is in the business of softening hearts!
As has already been said in the comments, salvation is a gift. Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
We can not be worth by what we do that’s why Jesus came to redeem us. We are all fallen human’s in need of a saviour. We are saved by what He has already won for us, not by anything we have or will do for him. He conquered spiritual death for us! We can not create our own salvation. We trust in the word of God and place ourselves at His Mercy. He love’s us…it’s Who he is…love is His very nature.
I will pray for you to find peace and renewal in the Lord. Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
June 30, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Monica
Participant
I share this with reservation, because I know that many people on this board are Protestant. I feel called to share with you, though, because I can feel how much your heart is aching.
This is the Year of Mercy, as instituted by Pope Francis. The Catholic Church is waiting to welcome people with open arms: the downtrodden, the disenfranchised, anyone who is hurting spiritually or materially.
I would highly encourage you to make an appointment with a Catholic priest. In my case, as a Catholic, I would go for confession. However, most priests are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to matters of faith and salvation. They are open, merciful, and knowledgeable men of God. There have been many times in my own life that I have consulted with a priest when it comes to matters of faith, personal tragedy and fear, and spiritual growth.
I am particularly thankful for a priest who, ten years ago, when I was in despair, prayed over me, anointed me and counseled me. It was truly life-changing.
Now, of course, all priests have different personalities, different gifts, different temperaments. That said, God has always lead me to the one who could best help me at any particular time – from the priest who helped to initiate my conversion to the church 25 years ago, to the current priest at our parish who has become a mentor and father-figure to me.
Please accept this from someone who genuinely feels your pain. You are not alone. Your salvation is not lost. You are on a painful path, but God is walking beside you, as am I (in prayer).
June 30, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Rachel White
Participant
@Jawgee: I am not Catholic, and am not a Calvinist Protestant, either; my best friend is a devout Catholic, and I see value in many Catholic teachings
I think your advice is very worthwhile
My question is (and forgive my ignorance): since she’s likely not Catholic, and can’t receive Mass anyway, will a priest allow her Confession if she wanted it? Or, instead, would he be available for counsel? TY
June 30, 2016 at 12:36 pm
Monica
Participant
@jawgee: I am not Catholic, and am not a Calvinist Protestant, either; my best friend is a devout Catholic, and I see value in many Catholic teachings
I think your advice is very worthwhile
My question is (and forgive my ignorance): since she’s likely not Catholic, and can’t receive Mass anyway, will a priest allow her Confession if she wanted it? Or, instead, would he be available for counsel? TY
Thank you for saying that. I don’t want to cause any theological disagreements or hurt feelings. I share because of the peace and joy I have experienced as a Catholic.
A priest would definitely be available for counseling. I would not be surprised if he encouraged her to spend time in Eucharistic adoration (a prayer chapel. Our church has one that is staffed 24/7).
In terms of Catholic sacraments (confession, Holy Communion, etc.), you are right, those are reserved for members of the Catholic church. She could, though, attend mass, if she felt so-called.
June 30, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Rachel White
Participant
Right, just not take the Eucharist; but she could be in services, and like you said, be blessed by the solemnity and quiet meditation which a prayer chapel provides; a potential settling of the distressed spirit, in addition to spirital counsel
Does that sound about right?