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NASB | Joel 2:32 "And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the LORD has said, Even among the survivors whom the LORD calls. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Joel 2:32 "And it shall come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Will be saved [from the coming judgment] For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the LORD has said, Even among the remnant [of survivors] whom the LORD calls. [Acts 2:17-21; Rom 10:13] |
Bible Question:
I have popped in and out periodically of this site. Hopefully this isn't to far off topic, not being a "study" question. I grew up in the church but have been a very consistent backslider my whole life. Season hot, season cold, etc... for my whole life and I'm just past the thirty mark and do not wish to continue. I have always been a believer without question, it's settled in my heart. I try to tell myself that God is faithful to finish the work He began, however sometimes use this as an excuse to continue in a sinful behavior. I have heard it all from pastors and other Christians, baptism in the Holy Spirit, pray more, read the bible more do this, do that. I'm tired of screwing up, but I'm so good at it. I am the life of the party! I really do want to serve God. I day dream about it. I even think I'm called to ministry (don't laugh). I have had several people tell me through out my life that I am called, some well known preachers and evangelists from different denominations. I have argued with God about this many times, He always wins! At the same time I have a fear that I will stand before God and say I did this or that and He will say I never knew you. Any thoughts... constructive only please. |
Bible Answer: It's amazing how identical our testimonies are. Like you I have, for a time, and because of my actions, second guessed my salvation. I leanded heavily on that verse that God started a good work in me and will see it through to completion. I also used it as an excuse to continue being the life of the party. But in my case, I became the life of the party just so I could crash that party later on. Someone once parralled Gal. 5:17 this way. There is a dog fight. You show up with two Pits. They square off one against another. Which one wins?? The one that you consistantly feeds. He's healthier; quicker; and faster. For me, the more that I follow the adversary ways, the better I became at it. Then one day I sat down and counted my blessings. I mean I REALLY counted my blessings. I saw God's blessings. He saved me from death, both physical and spiritual. I use to smoke weed, not any more. I got mixed up with alcohol, superseded that with crack cocain. All pasttense. The last time I was in court, they wanted to give me thirty-five yrs. One of the things that help straighten me out was the fact that I was going through God's patience like a child through ice-cream. I didn't want that. So I made up my mind to stop feeding the wrong dog. It wasn't easy at first, but the longer I did it, the easier it became. Pray more while God is still listening to your prayers; work on your relationship with him while you're still physically able, because there will come a time when it will be too late to do so. Heaven and Hell is an exsisting reality, Matt. 25:31-46 is a reality yet to exsist. Don't get caught up on the left hand side. It is the things that you have done that will put you in a better position to understand the person who comes behind you who second guess their salvation, who spent decades playing around with God. Be in a position to help that person by being an example in which they could follow. God wants to help you to achieve this goal, but there have to be an effort made on your part. |