The Word says "God owns the cattle on a thousand hills"-. I tithe, I believe, and yet I really hurt...?
545705
Tithing is an act of faith. You don't own what you own, believe it or not; what you own is what God has allowed to give you. God is not poor, so this is not why He would have you tithe. God just wants to know your faith. God is pretty much saying "I've given you so much; do you have enough faith in Me to give only a tenth of what I've given you back?" You may be going through stressful financial situations, but think of it as a test of faith. God just wants to see if you'll obey His word even under pressure. Try to keep the faith; if you give to God, God will sustain you and give you even more back to you.\n\nBy the way, Mr. Shaw, tithing wasn't done away with on the cross. If that were true, how would you explain the fact that Abraham had tithed to Melchezidek, priest of Salem (God in a human disguise) BEFORE God had commanded the Israelites to tithe? This indicates that tithing, though included in Levitical law, was a law that God had set in place BEFORE giving the commandment to the Israelites. God still expects us to tithe. I hope that caused you to think about it for a bit.
917953
Sorry, all that that statement means is that it is difficult for a person with material wealth to get into heaven becuase he will be tempted to trust in those things than in God.  That is all it means.
644850
As a liberal minister, I think God is a figurative term. When nature hurts us, we(the God) get mad . We (God) assume that we(God) are punishing ourselves because of our own perceived shortcomings.
211898
This was quite likely a song that was sung in the early church.  It's talking about how being a Christian is worth all the suffering that we might have to endure.  Yet it also talks about how God's faithfulness is far superior to our faithfulness.  We can stumble and fall, but he is still faithful.  When he makes a promise, we can count on him to keep it.  His love keeps on going even when we turn away from it.
1008336
You are a critical thinker. DO NOT let anyone tell you you're demonic for being skeptical of the church. You're absolutely right. Honestly, do you think God would care if you went to a place every week to give money to people who are already rich? Doesn't God provide "daily bread" through the meals your parents provide?\n\nDo not feel guilty for doubting the church. It just means you're smart.
288008
I lived on a farm once, and the herd of cows and bulls and calves had gotten out, they were in the road, in the yard, in the pasture across the road. I was coming home from town, I couldn't get to my driveway because of them, so I rolled down my window and hollered, "I take authority over you in the Name of Jesus Christ and I command you to go back to the pasture". Nothing happened, and I said "Jesus help me." I hollered out my window again, "Go in the name of Jesus Christ" they went back the way they got every single one of them. I was so shocked, they just kind of went back in file form. My son was in the house, there was a big bull starring at him through the front doorjust before I got home.\n   You asked, and I don't tell this story often because it is really hard for others to believe, but as God is my witness, this is the truth.
471756
Well friend,\nI am a christian.\nAnd this is what that verse means to me.\n\nThe main problem with christians is that they always like to read such verses from a worldy perspective ignoring the spiritual aspect of it.\n\nLook at the begining it mentions of future and hope. Thats what we should be aiming for NOT earthly fortunes or satisfactions.\n\nSeeking the Lord comes with calling upon our Lord as well as praying to Him NOT just sitting around and trying to "argue" out things in your mind. Honesty is important here.\n\nNow consider, the phrase...\n"will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."\n\nSome people like to take the that and say, Hey, God will bless me!!\nIt is true but does it mention necessarily EARTHLY blessings? No. I believe its more spiritual blessings that you will inherit one day in the afterlife. For the spiritual blessings are eternal as opposed to the temporary blessings on earth.\n\nWell, dont seek after earthly things as others do, these are all vanity.\n\nAs for me,\n"Jesus is enough"\nNothing else I want.\n\nRegards
208307
I came to the point in my life where I realized I had screwed it all up and there was no way I could ever fix what I had done. No chance of justifying my way. The path I had been on all along was wrong and I was proof. I needed a redeemer. Someone who could take my worthless life and make it good. There is nothing in me or any human that can do that. Jesus can. I was skeptical at first but I kept hearing people say things (on radio, t.v., the church that I was forced to go to..) like no matter your sin He can wash it clean. I struggled with one sin in particular that I wasnt sure if Jesus would forgive me of. At this time I wasnt really sure Jesus was real. And one day I decided that If Jesus was real I wanted to do what He wanted me to do. Even if He wasnt real the story was so much better than any other possible outcome. But I prayed and asked God to give me faith and forgive me. And little by little God gave me faith. I no longer feel condemned, worthless, or lost. His story must be true. God is the water, the sun, and the soil. I am the seed. The more of his word I receive the more I grow. He is my soil my foundation. If the Gospel were a lie, what would I have to live for? Everything here is so temporary. My health may be taken, my husband may die, my children will leave me. Objects grow old and deteriorate. My beauty will leave me as will my sight. Anything good I build for myself may be taken away at any moment. But pursuing God, trusting Jesus, performing good deeds in His name, growing spiritually in Him, those no one can take away. No tornado may destroy, no fire may consume, the grave cannot conquer. I will have those things after my health has left, my children have grown, and after death. If I cannot look forward to His presence, this life means nothing. Thanks for the podium. May God work here.
839859
God is more than that. While God is always there waiting at the doorway to your heart, he will never force Himself upon you. God is a way of life, a state of being. When you  truly accept the gift that He is offering, you will feel it. And yes you will still feel pain, you will still experience hurt, and you will still suffer loss. However, the best part about this decision is the fact that NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO He is ALWAYS waiting for you to come back. God is love dear, and Love is patient, Love is Kind, Love never fails. That is God. God will never fail you when you truly need Him. I can tell you honestly, that I have been in many situations when I have prayed and His answer was no, and although I didn't like that answer I soon came to realize why. And every time I am reminded that He always knows what is best for me. And he wants the best for you too. God is not as simple as deciding do you want mashed potatoes with dinner. God is unending joy in the acceptance of what life brings, knowing that He will carry you through it.
444578
When you are talking financial struggle you are talking about earthly goods. We make our own noose around our necks by thinking that we can have what we want when we want it and then the credit card bills arrive. Jesus said "accept ye become as little children, ye shall not enter the Kingdom of heaven" He was talking about childlike faith in Him. He also said "do not pile up things here on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, rather look to the treasures that you can gather in heaven. You are being taught a lesson, perhaps the hard way, but you have already realised that earthly goods will bring you to your knees financially. God isn't giving you the trials friend, you have created the trials yourselves. Don't become hopeless, become faithful instead. Ask Him for His help and mean it!\nTip: cut up the credit cards! Thinking of you - Kay
490936
Emily its not a question this time but a statement of believe. You have a lot of anger?\n\nTry John 13 onwards for a week or two: it might impress you
973580
I totally think so.  How can you justify "having faith" and financially planning?  Did Christ financially plan?  Or his disciples?  For more than money for ministry?  But of course we all know we must financially plan, or else be headed for disaster.  Another example of difficulty of interpretation.
1046734
Tell the people that you may have hurt that you are truly sorry, make restitution if you can, ask the Lord for forgiveness. If that doesn't work talk to your preacher/minister about it.
396348
My soul is not mine to give away, it belongs to Jesus!  I believe I have given my heart and soul and praying you can find the way to open your heart to let Jesus in as well =)  Best wishes =)
760251
I am very sad that you are hurting so much. Some wounds are very deep and take a long time to heal. You deserve to be loved and cared for! I can't even imagine how much it must hurt to have someone you care about so much do that to you. I don't know if you believe in God, but I do and I believe that he can heal us. I believe that forgiveness is the key to overcoming your hurt. I know it is extremely difficult, but if you can try to push angry feelings away and forgive him for what he has done, you will feel better. I do not believe that finding someone else is the right solution. It is a way to cover or bury your pain, but not heal it. Pray for strength, don't be ashamed to cry, and turn to good friends for support. I will keep you in my prayers as well.
242700
There is no way around it you can just feel it . It's like God is talking to you and you cant ignore it. If you do it will make you feel miserable for not doing the lords work. He has done so much for you and me . Just get out there and do what you've been asked to do.
159564
For me it is remembering that what I do for others I am doing for Christ. God loves me and He wants me to take care of myself and His children. I know that no good deed will go unoticed through him. So even if the hobo on the street goes and blows the money on liqour.... I tried. Or even if I help someone and they dont accept or ridicule me, God sees that. I am a foreigner here.