New member, glad to be here.

[DaleInTN]

Hello everyone, my name is DaleInTN and I would like to learn to have an emotional relationship with Jesus.  I was baptized back in 2001 and thought I was "on track" with my spiritual growth.  But, my wife and I continue to have issues.  I really give her credit because she has stuck it out for years.  We were married in 2000, but we were not attending church.  I was raised with grandparents that took me to church, but she never really went as a child.  Unfortunately, in many ways, she was in a much better place spiritually than I.  She didn't have to unlearn incomplete theology as I have had to do.  Or, maybe, it is just me and my reliance on myself... I'm not sure.  Anyway, I am interested in a community where I can learn more about being a Godly man and being the man God needs me to be for Him, my wife, my daughter, and myself!

I was given an audio book of a series called "Victory in Jesus" from someone in my church.  I have listened to this a couple of times about 6 months ago, but have heard some questionable things about the speaker.  I admit that this book gave me some hope.... but then my hope was stole from me because of some of the things I heard.  I am tired, and I know my wife and child are tired too.  I really need some hope, hope that I can stop being a knuckle head and "be the man" God intends.  I have listened to many good sermons from David Asscherick, Mike Tucker, Jim Hohnberger, Doug Bachelor, and many others.  I don't think the issue is knowledge.... I think the issue is application!  I just need some guidance.  Thanks for listening and thanks for this avenue to explore.

[Ed Sutton]

DaleInTN

Hi & welcome to the forum.

As far as application, how to information, is salted all through SC, MB, MH, COL, DA, MCP vol 1-3; Youth Instructor EGW Articles, 1,2,3rd Vol's Selected Messages,  once you install it on your computer or laptop, use the EGW CD Rom disk to look up the what & how to, of these verses; plug these verses and portions of these verses unto the EGW CD Rom disk search engine. 

Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Look up "vital transfusion" and "willing to be made willing" and this verse.

Philippians 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Looking up these words ( love sin soul expel) and research the concepts in these hits they will assist and strengthen the human mortal grasping the power of God and successfully wielding that power to follow God from the heart successfully and please Him.
 {TDG 124.2} 
{YRP 332.3}
{RH, April 25, 1893 par. 2}
{ST, June 9, 1890 par. 10} 
 {ST, November 5, 1894 par. 8} 
 {ST, October 22, 1896 par. 7} 
 {YI, March 12, 1896 par. 5}
 {YI, July 18, 1911 par. 3}
{SpTA01a 6.1} 
 {PH048 31.3} 
{PH050 8.2 and 8.3}

My brother in Christ, Jesus gladly grasps your hand of faith, He will not let go.

[Tammy]

I was given an audio book of a series called "Victory in Jesus" from someone in my church.  I have listened to this a couple of times about 6 months ago, but have heard some questionable things about the speaker. 

As far as I'm concerned, there is absolutely nothing questionable about the author of "Victory in Jesus," or anything he teaches.  His classes at campmeeting are always very popular and I think he is great.

Others on this forum can address your other issue better than I, about being the man of God you want to be.

[V. Hahn]

Welcome to the forum, Dale!  May you be blessed in your walk with Jesus, and with your new community of friends here!

We are all on a daily faith journey, and it's not like I have all the answers...but here are some thoughts in answer to your question. 

• Make sure you have daily time with Jesus in Bible reading and prayer.

• As you read your Bible, pray along with it.  For example, say you're reading about Peter walking on the water and he starts to sink because he takes his eyes off Jesus and loses faith, you could pray, "Jesus, help me never to take my eyes off you.  Help my faith in you to grow each day."

• Memorize and claim promises like Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. "

• Take it a day at a time and submit yourself to Jesus.  It's almost a day to day, hour by hour, minute by minute thing!  Like the song, "I Need Thee Every Hour"--we can't just submit to Jesus once and that's it.  We have to continue submitting to Him because life gets in the way!

I'm sure others have some good thoughts, too, but these are just a few that came to mind.

God bless you and your family, Dale.  Never forget, Jesus is faithful, patient and merciful!

[resolute]

I really need some hope, hope that I can stop being a knuckle head and "be the man" God intends........I don't think the issue is knowledge.... I think the issue is application!  I just need some guidance.......

looks to me that you are doing some application of the beatitudes, blessed are poor in Spirit and blessed are they that mourn....for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and they shall be comforted.

Seems like you are the right place to me...continue following the path and you will be fine, and you will soon realize that it is a true saying, that it is not by might or power, but by My Spirit says the LORD. Solomon was wise, Samson was strong, Lucifer was beautiful, and those extreme gifts did not help, you will one day truly realize that it is indeed only by the Spirit, only by a reliance on God.

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.