Different things.

[Destroyer2000]

I'm doubting my salvation again, so pray for that. This whole 'beast' thing is bothering me alot - the end has always scared me, so I don't like this. I feel as if I won't be ready, and it sends such a strong fear through me that I don't know what to do about it. I hate that feeling - I want to be such a strong Christian that it frustrates Satan to even think about me...but I don't know how. I still feel as if I'm not saved, that I missed all my chances. I know I accepted Christ - or thought I did, when I was younger (3rd grade) but I somehow reasoned with myself that I was too young to understand it all then, so it was meaningless. I know I haven't been living exactly like I should lately, so that doesn't help much. It's just...agh. I hate this feeling so much...I want to be able to feel God's presence and love at all times, and feel saved at all times.

Another thing - competion tomorrow. I will once again be entering an art project and a website. I'm still working on the site, but it isn't judged until July, so...

[Destroyer2000]

Ah...I am confused about many things. I now know; the very fact that I worry about my salvation proves that I haven't lost my chances.

[Mangafanatic]

If you doubt you understood what you did at such a young age, have you thought about accepting Christ, um, again? I know you don't need to do it twice, but if you doubt your orignal conversin, I don't really see any reason not to do it. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Even when, in your heart, you say "Am I really. . .", know that that voice is the devil. When you think those kinds of things, sometimes it's helpful to say-- out loud if need be-- "Yeah, nice try devil. The author of truth said that if I believe in his son then I HAVE salvation. Don't think for a minute your gonna get me trippin' with your childish half truths."

[Destroyer2000]

Thanks. I did ask the Lord into my heart again a while back, so yeah...sometimes I just need specific instructions. It's relieving, though, to know I haven't run out of chances. One thing I didn't understand, though...I was told that if you used the Lord's name in vain you were a blasphemer, and would not enter the kingdom of Heaven. There's no way that's true. There have been plenty of people the used God's name in vain on a regular basis, then they got saved, so obviously they ARE going to get to Heaven.

I feel hopeful and certain that I will grow to be strong in faith since I've started studying my Bible everyday and spending time with the Lord. Best way, right? ^-^

[Syreth]

Yeah, you're definately on the right track there, I would say. As for the person who made the comment about using God's name in vain, I strongly disagree with that -- and I think most Christians do disagree with that. It's really only the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit that's unforgivable, and that's much more serious than saying God's name in vain. It might be good for you to study the subject a bit, just to get some grounding in it.

[freerock1]

I'll be lifting you up. I want to comment on your statement

I want to be such a strong Christian that it frustrates Satan to even think about me...

When I read that, I thought a story I heard a few months back (I think it was a true story). As I recall, for some reason a high-ranking satanist went to put a curse on someone's home. It turned out this person was a Christian, and the satanist couldn't put a curse on the home. The satanist came back and told one of his associates something like, "If Christians knew the spiritual power they possess, the kingdom of Satan would fall."

Think about it... We're mighty warriors for Christ! So often Satan uses attacks on our minds to make us feel insufficient as Christians, because he doesn't want us to walk in the power of God. But our feelings do not override the truth.

Some good things have been said in this thread. I especially want to give props for the last couple sentences in Mangafanatic's post.

And about blasphemy, like Syreth said, the Bible only speaks about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit not being forgiven. Actually, in Matthew 12, Jesus said that all blasphemy except against the Spirit would be forgiven men. What prompted Him to even bring it up was that the Pharisees were accusing Him of casting out demons by the power of the prince of demons. Basically, they were calling the Holy Spirit, Satan. I believe that this is what blasphemy against the Holy Spirit really is--someone in such a depraved state calling the Spirit of God, Satan.

I've also heard the opinion that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is any sin that isn't under the blood of Jesus, because the only unforgivable sin is the sin that someone won't confess. I think that can also be a valid opinion, because the blood of Jesus covers our sins, but obviously those who don't accept it won't be forgiven.

I will say that I think as we grow in our walk with the Lord that we overcome certain fears. When I was younger, I used to be more fearful of the end times and afraid that I had blasphemed the Holy Spirit. I really don't worry about those things anymore in my own walk. And I'm not saying that to boast in myself, just to hopefully encourage you that there will be an end to these fears you're dealing with right now. Of course we won't be past all our trials until we get to heaven, but as we go forward in our walk with the Lord, there is an end to these battles, sometimes one at a time. Just know that you are more than a conqueror through Him who loved you.

[Destroyer2000]

Thanks, guys. Honestly, I sometimes wonder what I would do without all of your support at times. I really appreciate it.

[Kaligraphic]

And actually, the blasphemy against the holy spirit that Jesus was talking about was the Jews' rejection of Himself, so you really can't sin any more. It's all been forgiven on the cross, which means that nothing can get you out of God's good grace, except for unbelief. I don't care if you have the blood of somebody you're in the process of murdering on your hands, it's already been forgiven 2000 years ago. Now, that doesn't mean that I want you to go murder people, but if you did, God still wouldn't be angry with you. (He would correct you in love, because it's a bad idea to kill people when He hasn't told you to, though.)

Just know that God is on your side. If you rob a bank, He'll be driving the getaway car, if you are selling drugs on the street, He'll hide your stash from the cops, He's pro-you all the way, and for your benefit He's already sent Jesus to die on a cross. Anything else is just pocket change in comparison. (Of course, if you go around doing dangerous things that He hasn't told you to, then He'll probably show you exactly why they're bad ideas, but He'll only do that for your benefit.)