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Post by Eric W. on Nov 25, 2016 17:00:26 GMT -5
My church normally holds a Friday night service, where our ministers and congregation that feel burdened to pray, or lead to pray gather to pray for those prayer requests that have been brought to the church. As well as to pray for our local, state, and federal government along with our church and community to hear God's call, to heed his wisdom.
I feel lead to bring this here as well. We all have general prayer requests, but if you have something specific, please post it so we can pray together about it. My plan is to set aside some time Friday nights to pray for our group specifically.
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Post by Eric W. on Nov 25, 2016 17:17:28 GMT -5
I guess since I am starting this I will start out with a prayer request as well...
This isn't easy to say, but I need help. I have tried fighting this by myself, but I can't. I have a problem with online pornography... It has nothing to do with sex, and physically I have been completely faithful, but mentally... It is the acceptance, the being wanted I guess. I want to be accepted at work, at home by my wife, my church, even here. I am never sure exactly where I fit in. The world seems to have a zigzag puzzle piece board, and I am all squared off edges, not sure where I fit.
I have prayed for God to remove this from me, and it will go away, until I feel the temptation tug at me. My life is on a computer. My job, what I do for the church, my school work, my wind down time entertainment is usually Internet based. I have never confessed it to anyone else though. My hidden sin, just between me and God.
I am sorry if this damages the way some of you see me... I have been on this merry go round for long enough. This time it is all on the table, and I am asking for strength, not just now, but later next week, or next month, or whenever temptation comes again. Wisdom to see it for the lie it is, and courage to keep to God's path.
I will go back through recent prayer requests posts and pray those specific prayers.
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Post by leandro on Nov 25, 2016 20:52:08 GMT -5
Eric, we all get attack by the enemy with different strategies. This is not easy and don't feel ashamed by that, and believe me this will not make me not look at you as a strong man of God that always has a word of knowledge for everyone in this group. I would suggest try to stay off anything that might be tempting online, I know you work with computers and it might be a little hard but we can do everything through God who strengths us. I respect you Eric and I will pray for you. God bless you.
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Post by tkk2 on Nov 25, 2016 21:12:35 GMT -5
Eric, you are a true man of god...nothing will ever change my opinion of you. We all fall short of God's glory every day.....who am i to call you a sinner? .....I'm encouraged you confessed, I'm sure that was a huge weight! I'm not sure what worldly advice to offer here, but im sure there are support books, groups etc. You might see if there is anything on RMM library that might be useful. Their website says a large number of standers have as similar situation.
I do know God loves you, no matter what. Period. Look to him to help you past this. I'm praying for you.
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Post by Mary H on Nov 25, 2016 22:13:01 GMT -5
Your Father in heaven is so proud of you for confessing, brother.
May God bless you & your humble heart!
When u get together with a group of genuine Christ followers, you for right in automatically. Genuine Christ followers love everyone no matter what!
Our God loves you so much! You belong to HIM! not your temptations! They cannot rule you forever! Christ love & Gods Devine power along with your humbleness, determination, & reliance on God will break you from this!
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Post by pstokes522 on Nov 26, 2016 6:49:32 GMT -5
Eric - rest assured that none of us will change our opinion of you. Like Tkk said, we ALL have sin and have fallen short. Openly confessing it to our group took courage and I believe is the first step to healing. Hidden sin really eats at one's soul - you will find nothing but love and encouragement from us. That being said, I believe Leandro is right that you need to 'unplug' in your personal time. Those of us who are on the computer all day for work, & in your case church, sometimes find it hard to not constantly be engaged in the cyber world. But the times that I don't use technology at home are my best times. It's hard because we all have these darn phones in our hands all the time, but I've deleted apps like Facebook, Pinterest (which is probably a girl thing 😉) games, etc. & moved my icon for those I can't remove like my internet browser to a farther screen so it's not so visible when I pick up the phone. It's hard to use these phones as just phones, isn't it? Lol. Anyway, I digress, if I have to reinstall an app or flip over three screens to get to it, it gives me time to think about it - time for God to speak to me & for me to listen. I will definitely be praying for you.
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Post by Sharon on Nov 29, 2016 15:15:40 GMT -5
Hey thank you for this post Eric. I just have a minute here so I'll read the replies later, but need prayers for my baby Naomi. She was admitted to hospital today with low oxygen levels. I am sure she will be fine and trusting God, but prayers help more then anything else! Thanks y'all love u all!  |
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Post by Mary H on Nov 29, 2016 16:01:56 GMT -5
Praying!
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Post by marissaa91 on Dec 1, 2016 1:31:46 GMT -5
Eric, I think this is a great idea! Corporate prayer is so powerful, I will defintely be praying for you! I think you are very strong person to admit your problem. I am not one to judge you or anyone else and I'll tell you all why, I also have a similar struggle that Eric has. I completely understand how you feel Eric.
I first sought help years ago on the klove app where I found a group for people who had struggles with sexuality and/or pornogrophy. Then, of course, k love took out all the online groups.
I have long stretches where it's fine and then moments where it hits me like truck. This is because,for me, it comes when I'm backsliding in my relationship with God and am having marriage issues simultaneously. Over the years I have had the most broken moments of sobbing in my hands for hours because of it. Before this, only my husband and God knew.
I never mentioned it before for a few reasons: 1. I'm very active in trying to beat this and my husband knows so I figured that should be enough. 2. The stigma/emotion that comes with it. People tend to think you're gross, perverted, a fake Christian etc. And the fact that I'm a woman only intensifies that. Also, because of the stigma there is a lot of shame, guilt, and condemnation that comes with it. You feel embarrassed, dirty, like an awful Christian, etc. But I will say that now I'm glad to be able to confess this. A few months ago I probably wouldn't have.
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Post by tkk2 on Dec 1, 2016 6:15:38 GMT -5
Sharon, how is Naomi doing? You are in my prayers
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Post by tkk2 on Dec 1, 2016 6:26:18 GMT -5
Marissa, I'm praying for you also. I'm encouraged by your confession. We all struggle in areas, but it's how we choose to overcome that counts. God is looking to be glorified, even in the midst of our trials. So, i think our testimonies are powerful.
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Post by Mary H on Dec 1, 2016 10:14:43 GMT -5
I used to deal with this too Marissa.
It's been around 3 years for me thankfully it wasn't very hard for me to stop once I realized it was wrong. When I got saved there were only a few times I tried it to see if I felt ok spiritually with it & of course I didn't.
I pray this chain be broken for you guys & im glad u confessed & are looking for accountability. Those are the first steps after repentance to genuine change for most.
I remember sharing with tony edits we ever separated how because of God, the chain has been broken. He struggled with it to so he asked how I overcame it because it's so hard. I told him it was just God.. I made a few changes I my day to day to prevent temptation & confessed to our marriage councilor along with repentance.
Praying for you guys & so proud of you both!!
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Post by Sharon on Dec 1, 2016 10:31:41 GMT -5
Marissa, Eric what TK said is completely right. Like Job, He allows trials in our lives that He would be glorified in our actions. I had/have a temptation for smoking. I started when I was 20 and smoked for 9 years. This year I have not smoked at all! It was difficult, but I had to realize that smoking for me was a great temptation and so when painful or stressful things happened, I would turn to my worldly comfort instead of to God. Chris also struggles with porn and he says often it's just boredom that takes him there. Guys whenever the temptation comes, no matter if it's because of stress, pain, or boredom, try to remember this is not of God. It will not satisfy. It is a demon plaguing you and the first thing to do is cast it away. Say out loud "In Jesus name leave" and just like that the demon will be gone. Step 2, throw yourself into the word. Even a verse or two. This didn't always work for me! I am human and I have a human sin nature and even if the demon who initiated the tempting thought is gone, sometimes I would still follow my sin nature. Thank you Jesus that we have grace and forgiveness though. He loves us and we could never do anything to drive Him away from us. So don't let it defeat you. Get up and praise, repent, ask for help, and try again the next time it happens. Remember something though friends! The enemy can't read your mind. He can only use what he has seen work in the past. Eventually, you will defeat this enough that the enemy will slow down on trying that temptation and it will be a lot easier. I mean I still want to smoke when I smell a cigarette. I'm still tempted now and again when I pass by a group of smokers to bum a smoke, but it's not even close to as tempting as it was a year ago, because for the enemy it seems like a waste of time. God is helping me overcome that. Terry Wardle says "I am healed, I am healing, I am yet to be healed". We're humans. We'll never reach sinlessness and we can't be God. We just have to be a godly as we can and His grace fills in all the rest.
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Post by Sharon on Dec 1, 2016 10:34:52 GMT -5
Thx for asking TK. We're still in the hospital. They were able to reduce her oxygen two days ago, but they have been trying to wean her off of it and she's not doing well when they take her off. She's her normal self though. Very active and won't let anything stop her go go go (ugh she sounds like her mother lol). Until they can wean her off the oxygen, were at a stand still so that is the goal right now. Please keep praying. She is getting restless and doesn't like being cooped up (me neither for that matter lol).
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Post by Mary H on Dec 1, 2016 17:20:37 GMT -5
Praying for you and the baby!
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