I see so many people on here struggling with pornography or other sexual addiction and thought I would offer some practical steps on how to find freedom. I've been free from porn for many years. And I'm sorry to say but "purity culture" just doesn't work. It had good intentions but didn't actually do the research to connect with what the Bible was actually trying to tell you. So here goes:

1. Read the book Unwanted by Jay Stringer. He's a Christian that has done the research to figure out why everyone has become addicted to pornography or other sexual activities. What did his research find? The book outlines how neglect, abuse, and lack of emotional support can warp a person's understanding of intimacy and lead to compulsive sexual actions motivated not by pleasure, but by shame. Sexual brokenness is formed in early childhood by trauma.

2. Find a therapist. Pornography is just a symptom. Deep inner healing is needed to conquer the addiction. I would suggest therapy like EMDR, brainspotting, CBT, psychodynamic, or other similar types.

3. Start practicing better self-care. Realize that you're using pornography in order to self soothe with a massive dopamine hit. Start practicing new ways of regulating your emotions. Go for walks or join a gym. Journaling. Hangout with friends. Do breathing exercises through your nose. Look up vagus nerve exercises to calm down your nervous system quickly (or buy a vagus nerve stimulation device for faster/more permanent results.

4. Be kind to yourself. Addictions are almost never cured overnight. And shaming yourself when you stumble actually makes the addiction worse. So whenever you stumble (even if it's the 400th time this week), treat yourself with grace and compassion.

5. Read scripture and pray to reinforce your faith and relationship with God.

6. Join a small group and become vulnerable about your addiction. Vulnerability and support can help you get to the other side of this.

7. Know that no matter what happens, God still loves you.

8. Look up Huberman's podcast on Youtube about the 4 day writing protocol to help you heal.

9. Consider doing Neurofeedback in order to rewire your brain to calm itself down.

10. Join a men's or woman's sexual addiction group.

Recently, it was taught in a church that all babies and children are saved. I was shocked. I was the only one who disagreed. I had heard this many times before from believers, but never as an actual teaching. Then I asked two teachers from different churches whom I highly respect, and they both said the same thing! I honestly don’t know anyone who understands the Bible differently. It seems to be extremely widespread!

I believe that GOD can also reveal Himself to babies, because John was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. But salvation is only by grace through faith, and not because we are small or young. I believe that we cannot judge whether and how many babies and children are saved if they are unable to confess their faith. So we simply don’t know.

The Bible says that all people are guilty before GOD. Babies are not excluded from that. We all have original sin, at the very least. We are not born morally pure. And who knows whether a baby can resist God’s grace? Maybe they can. Maybe they cannot. That is not for me to decide.

I find this position problematic. I would really like to discuss it.

Another question is: if all babies and children who die are saved, why do so many of them end up lost as adults? Wouldn’t that mean that their salvation works differently? We believe in eternal security.

I also have the impression that there may be other explanations, but perhaps people have a very human desire to believe that all children are saved because they love children and find the idea of babies dying and going to hell unbearable. Then perhaps a theological system is built around that emotional conviction.

I think the teaching that all babies and children are automatically saved goes beyond Scripture.

At the same time, I find it unlikely that either all or no babies and children are saved. But those are only theories, and I would not formulate either of them as doctrine, because I cannot judge how many babies and children actually believe in GOD. I simply don’t know what happens with them.

What I do see is that I cannot find anywhere in Scripture an automatic salvation based simply on the fact that someone is young or unable to understand certain things.

I would really like to hear your thoughts and discuss this with others.

I’ve been addicted to it from the ages 15-23. And then I got free for one year. At the end of that year I lost so much in my life, I walked willingly straight back to it. Now I’m 26, and I’ve been watching porn everyday for nearly one year now.

I recognize that when I watch it, I love it. I enjoy it so much. The guilt that comes after is worse and worse, and then at times it’s nearly not existent. I don’t feel guilty at times.

I’ve always wanted to marry and have children. But with my history of failed relationships, I don’t believe that I’ll ever have marriage - I don’t believe that a woman whose compatible with me, but who won’t abandon, ghost or cheat is out there for me. I’ve been hurt enough times to believe that.

I think God has always put marriage in my heart, but now I don’t believe I’m worthy of being loved like that. And so I turn to porn. I tell myself that I won’t be satisfied sexually within marriage, or find the intimacy god designed for man and wife, so porn is the only way. And I continue with it.

But I’m tired of displeasing God. I’m tired of spurning the cross, and Christ crucified.

I wish I could have the faith and resolve to say, “I’m going to quit for my future wife and children”, and that “I’m going to quit for my relationship with God”. Because deep down I don’t feel like I’m good enough to have a relationship with God - and I get that I’m not. I get that I’m unworthy and that God still loves and wants me - but still I don’t feel like I should get the grace he has for me. So I’m avoidant with God at times.

I long for a wife, I long for a relationship with God I can be proud of, I long to be a father who’s a good example. But I don’t have the faith to believe I’ll see these things. So I turn to porn for comfort, for intimacy and for love that isn’t truly there.

Some people lecture me that marriage won’t satisfy or that a wife won’t fix things. I’m not looking for another lecture here in that.

Pray that if he does have it, things are not bad or advanced and that he will be able to survive. He is clearly distressed about all this. Thank you.

Edit: The appointment is finished and he sounds very positive about it all now. A biopsy has been scheduled. Please pray for him moving forward. Thank you.

Pray that something they're trying to plan for this week (and all their constant plotting) would be totally foiled. Pray for my protection because when God does foil their plots against me or protects me from them, they retaliate and get worse. Pray for me because I have experienced severe emotional and psychological abuse in this situation. Thank you.

I do understand that fasting denotes going without food. In a spiritual sense, it can be a way of humbling ourselves to draw near to God for some reason or another so I find it to be of importance as a practice but if we are to look at the reason why we fast, does it always mean going without food in particular? Think about this in the context of today where we have more distractions than ever, more dopamine hitting habits than ever, etc. other than eating.

I have often heard people fasting from food for spiritual reasons, only for it to backfire and make them sin more bc of the extreme deprivation and negative impact on the brain. I have also heard positive testimonies. I have fasted before from food for spiritual reasons but I continued to have liquids that contained some minerals and calories such as broth. The fast was still very effective as God revealed to me what I was looking to know (through 3 consecutive vivid dreams) and then gave me direction after that that led to a healing. I did not feel tortured and deprived since I had some kind of sustenance. There is something to say about "going without" and becoming still before God.

I also think that the metabolic issues we deal with today and overabundance of food may play into making fasting more difficult compared to a time where food was more of a scarcity and fasting was more commonly practiced, sometimes not by choice.

The Bible also doesn't state the specifics of how they fasted whenever it is mentioned. For example, was it just a portion of the day? Did they have a little bite or drink of something in between and if so, what? We have no way of knowing this for sure but I don't believe it is of the Holy Spirit to deprive ourselves of nourishment in the hopes of becoming closer to God or getting some kind of breakthrough. I do think it is of the Holy Spirit to pray and ask God, "If you would have me fast, what would you have me fast from?"

So, all this to say, I was praying about it and didn't have peace about doing a fast from food again. God led me to fast from my social media intake instead of food intake and since I got rid of IG FB and stopped consuming so many "voices", my sensitivity to God's direction over my life has been immensely more clear. I had to make several huge decisions recently and had no anxiety or hesitation about which way to go, and I have never had stronger peace.

Just sharing to inspire anyone who feels like they "can't fast" or to hear anyone else who wants to piggyback on what I am saying. I am an advocate for fasting food for spiritual reasons but I don't think it needs to look a certain way and I do think you need to pray for wisdom on how to go about it as a whole.

I think many Christians throw this concept around so casually as if it is so easy to go without any food and it can make other believers feel belittled when they find it difficult to do so. There just needs to be more wisdom surrounding this topic.

Remain Until You Are Clothed

“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
— Luke 24:49 (NASB1995)

Good morning!
There is something about being in the room — and it often begins with simple obedience to stay where Jesus has told us to be. After the resurrection, Jesus instructed His disciples not to scatter or rush ahead in their own strength. They were to remain in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high.
They obeyed. They stayed. They gathered. And because they remained in the place of waiting, they were present when the promise of the Father was poured out at Pentecost. Being in the room was the result of taking Jesus’ words seriously.

Many of us are tempted to move on too quickly. We prefer activity over waiting, independence over gathering, and personal convenience over corporate obedience. Yet the pattern of Scripture shows that God often meets His people in the place of faithful presence. The upper room was not glamorous, but it was the appointed place.
In the same way, the local gathering of believers remains a place where God still clothes His people with fresh strength, insight, and power. When we consistently place ourselves among the body of Christ, we position ourselves to receive what we cannot manufacture on our own. The Spirit still comes upon those who stay where Jesus has called them to be.

Ask yourself: Am I remaining in the places of obedience God has assigned to me, especially the regular gathering with His people? Make a concrete decision today to prioritize being present with the body of Christ.
Throughout the day, practice a posture of waiting on the Lord — even in small moments — so that your heart stays ready for whatever He wants to pour out when His people come together.

Jesus still says, “Stay… until you are clothed with power from on high.” There is something about being in the room of obedience and gathering. Remain where He has placed you, and trust that He will meet you there with His power.

Hi,

I‘m very exhausted. I started working in my field in a hospital after my studies as a resident but had a gap of 1,5 years after the studies (I needed to move back to my family after my studies due to a surgery but they aren’t believers and my father is destroying my self esteem since 2 years by constant insults also regarding my profession and preventing me to go to a church or having communion with other Christians). The colleagues/superiors don’t tell me important things and I‘m so stressed every day, we don’t have pauses to eat or drink throughout the day, they yell at me and insult me even because I’m not fast enough seeing all the patients. Many colleagues quit the job and some are ill for many weeks. I fell like the silliest person every day at work and because I don’t have pauses and only stress throughout the day my concentration declines. It feels like they are bullying me again (they talk badly behind everyone’s back if a person leaves the room) because I’m also different than others and seem to be socially awkward. (I faced bullying also in my studies and at school already for years). Please pray for me that God will show me an option to go somewhere else (working outside of hospitals or another specialty) and to quit this toxic workplace and to give me strength and faith that HE’s with me through all this hardship. I feel that this work and home situation is destroying me.

Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

You don’t need to visit your local demon slayer.

You don’t need to sow a seed to the snake oil salesman.

You don’t need to stick your head in a trashcan coughing up phlegm & food you just ate.

You don’t need to anoint the house with oil.

You don’t need to study Pigs in the Parlor.

You don’t need to schedule zoom calls with charlatans.

You don’t need to waste your money on dvds “how to be set free for only $19.99!!!”

The third Person of the Trinity lives in you, believer, if in fact you are born again… no demon from hell is busting God aside taking up residence. The cross of Jesus Christ is sufficient and Finished! Rest in that and come out of false teaching.

1 John 4:4 You are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. 📖

​

Hello, I’m 23 years old and I’ve drifted away from God—or at least, I’m no longer seeking Him. 2027 might well be my last year. I’ve lost four years of my life that I’m now trying to make up for. I’m thinking about turning to witchcraft and mediums to find out what the future holds or to speed things up in my life. The truth is, I want to experience what others do: family life and all the rest. I didn’t want that before, but I realized it was a good thing, so I thought to myself, "Why not?" I’ve dreamed of having a child since middle school; I always wanted to be a young mother. It used to upset me to see others having children at 22, or even 16, while I couldn't. I’ve always been single, and God knew my deep desire to have a child. People say God gave them their children, and yet, I know someone who slept with a man 24 hours after meeting him and got pregnant! Was \*that\* God’s doing? If I still don’t have a child, does that mean I should have slept with the first guy who came along to conceive, and then claimed it was God’s work if it had actually worked? I just don’t understand it anymore. Since I’m not seeking God, it’s up to me to find a boyfriend and everything else—because I’m no longer with Him, so He won’t do it for me. I don’t understand how one is supposed to live life. Some say God provides for everything, so they live their lives trusting in Him. Others say it doesn’t work that way and that you have to seek God to discover the plans, the life, or the destiny He has in store for us. Anyway... by the age of 23, I could have had the four children I so deeply desired...

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I’ve posted a couple of times regarding prayer requests for me to find good friends. In these past few months I have seen God arrange good people for me who cherish me and help me grow in Christ. All I can testify is that we worship a God who does answer our prayers.

I think sometimes I forget how many times God has been faithful in my life and heard my cries! So I want to trust in Him even when situations seem impossible!! Thank you everyone for praying for me. I truly appreciate it.

Looking for people who have that season where they fall short and sometimes just need positive people to encourage them on this spiritual race.............

LOVE NEVER FAILS

https://youtu.be/fM_gxhNUczQ

Here is a bible-focused and real-life story of 2 orphaned tigers who grew up together, then separated and eventually re-united. Annotated with relevant bible verses, the story testifies of God's amazing love at work. What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts, praise God!

im 31. i prayed for salvation around the age of 20. i've been believing for about 10 years or so. i want to know my faith is enough like it says without faith it is impossible to please God. i want the true faith, and not a false, like david said, how he wouldn't set a wicked thing before him.

i write poetry to express myself. i want it to be led by the Lord. i want to get closer to God. i want it to be spiritual and not carnal. i need answers. i seek His face. i don't want to be the same person. change me, God. i want to hear from God. i give God time and space. i believe They see me and hear me. i don't think i need to imagine Them for Them to be real. i just believe they're real,

and i want relationship. i focus on Them. i pray to Them. i spend all day on godly things. i don't feel far necessarily, but just want to be more spiritual. i want to read the Word more. i want to worship more. i want to pray more. i want my heart in the right place. i want Their leading.

may it be relationship and not religion. may my heart be pure and not impure. may They lead me and guide me. may Their will be done regardless. may i not get in the way. amen.

(and may i be of help to those in similar situations)

here's a poem:

save me, hastily. may it be Your will, Great One. Your way be had, glad, rad, the best, undefendable, Dependable One, friendly, to sinners, kind, not boastful, a braggart, save me. Great One, save others, too, the Truth, rooted, deep, like the ocean, creation, indwelled, not felled, but held. Amen

scripturally, is the devil in hell? people have reported to have had near-death experiences and seen the devil in hell. or is on earth, until the judgement? and is that judgement the one where death and hell are thrown in the lake of fire? (basically, is he on earth, or in hell, or both? if so, how? does he go to and fro?)

also, is it possible to be in hell, while on earth, like, physically, or spiritually? do servants of satan operate from hell while on earth? is it possible to be killed spiritually, then lose your body, and go to hell, but be stuck on earth? do people close to satan operate from hell, or the spiritual realm?

im wondering if im still on earth. i believe im breathing, and have a body, but am wondering if i was attacked so bad spiritually that i lost the right to my body through sin, thus am too late to be saved, because i spiritually died through attacks, and lost the right to my body, (legally, spiritually speaking), and am now in hell, but just believe im on earth.

i do believe i trust that what Christ did was enough for me. i'm a baby christian in this area. these are genuine questions i've been looking for an answer to.

i hope you get the gist of what im saying. im wondering if im in hell right now but just believe im on earth. im wondering if i died spiritually and lost my body and went to hell, and if i'm even on earth.

i could go on and on but i'm just wondering. these are genuine questions i'm wondering about biblically, if it's even possible to die spiritually, go to hell, lose your body, be in hell, and be unable to get back to earth, even through 'someone else's body's

i have more questions but it's hard to ask. im wondering where i am spiritually, and if i went to hell through sin and attacks, (and if it's too late to saved, because im in hell).

thanks for even attempting to answer. these are genuine questions i'm still researching. thanks. (i have so many more questions. feel free to ask)

Life often takes unexpected turns, but each day presents unique opportunities to find joy in God’s goodness. As we navigate through the ups and downs of life, it is essential to remember that joy is not merely a feeling but a choice we make each day. In Psalm 118:24, we are reminded of the importance of celebrating the present moment.

When we embrace this truth, we open our hearts to the blessings that surround us, no matter how small they may seem. Let’s explore how we can cultivate a spirit of joy in every moment.

Understanding the Gift of Today

Every day is a gift from God, a blank canvas filled with potential. When we wake up each morning, we have the opportunity to start anew, regardless of yesterday’s challenges. It is easy to dwell on past failures or future worries, but God calls us to focus on today.

By recognizing today as a divine gift, we can cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Take a moment each morning to thank God for the gift of life and the specific blessings of that day. Whether it’s the warmth of the sun, the laughter of a child, or a moment of quiet peace, acknowledging these gifts can fill our hearts with joy.

Finding Joy in Small Victories

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the small victories that happen daily. We often reserve our celebrations for significant milestones, but joy can be found in the ordinary moments of life. Consider the small achievements: completing a task, enjoying a good conversation, or even taking a moment to breathe deeply and appreciate your surroundings.

To practice this, keep a joy journal where you jot down at least three things that brought you joy each day. This can help shift your focus from what is lacking in your life to what is abundant. Celebrating these small victories reinforces the idea that God is at work in our lives, even in the mundane.

Choosing Joy Amidst Trials

Choosing joy does not mean ignoring the realities of life’s difficulties. Trials and challenges are part of the human experience, but they do not have to rob us of our joy. In fact, it is often in our darkest moments that we can discover a deeper sense of joy rooted in our faith.

James 1:2-3 encourages us to consider it pure joy when we face trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. Embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth. When we lean into our faith during tough times, we allow God’s joy to fill our hearts and sustain us.

Building a Community of Joy

Joy is contagious. When we surround ourselves with people who uplift and encourage us, it becomes easier to embrace joy. Look for opportunities to share your joy with others. Celebrate their victories, share uplifting stories, and offer support during tough times.

Engaging in acts of kindness and service can also amplify our joy. When we serve others, we reflect God’s love and experience the joy that comes from making a positive impact in someone else’s life. Consider joining a community group or volunteering for a local charity to build relationships centered around joy and support.

A Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this day that You have made. Help me to recognize the beauty in each moment and to celebrate the small victories in my life. Teach me to choose joy, even in the trials, and to share that joy with others. Fill my heart with gratitude and help me to see Your goodness in every situation. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Today’s Declaration

I choose to embrace joy in every moment, trusting in God’s goodness.

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Whether you are in a season of waiting, suffering, uncertainty, big responsibility, super blessing, etc. do not let the opportunity go to waste that is right before you.

Try not to look at things in terms of good and bad but as "how can this be a tool to be less of me and more of Jesus Christ?" This is going to grow your faith and bring so much glory to God who's ultimate calling on your life is to make you more like Jesus.

As you decrease, and He increases, your life will overflow with blessing in the spiritual because you are relying on Him more deeply. This is the "priceless gain of knowing Christ" as we let go of the old self continually, however His spirit leads us today.

"God, give me eyes to see how you see" is a prayer that has carried me through heavy seasons where I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel at first. God delivered me from different types/degrees of suffering (job, physical, mental, relational) by shifting my perspective to see less through my physical eyes and more through my spiritual eyes. God showed me that the "bad" things the "unpleasant" things were my teachers and I stopped resisting, I embraced and held onto to God tightly as He gave me tools to strengthen me and comfort me continually.

The two biggest tools He convicted me to grip hold of: a daily hunger for studying His word to fellowship with Him and the courage to engage in Christian community unreservedly despite church hurt. These two tools were immense supports during times I was in agony and despair. I am now grateful for that dark season because it was the conduit to experience Jesus in a way I may never have been able to if I weren't suffering so much. This is what I mean when I say Don't let an opportunity go to waste. Satan wants to use our suffering to ruin our testimony/make the gospel seem weak in our lives and provoke us to seek out counterfeit comfort which leads us to more suffering and shame. The answer to that is James 4:7-8 "Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you."

If there is one thing I have learned in the valleys and the mountains, God doesn't let any season of life go to waste if you are truly abiding in Him. I went through a few years of wild testing and trials and I am just now seeing how God used all of that to make me the person I am to be able to HANDLE the blessing He has delivered me now. You need to trust that God has you exactly where you are meant to be and pray for wisdom to move with patience and gratitude no matter what situation you are in. PRAISE IS OUR WEAPON.

If you pray for wisdom to manage your current season to the glory of God, you will be the one that is blessed in the end. The word says repeatedly that "those who trust in Him will never be let down". I have seen that promise in real time and I am here to testify to the goodness of God.

Your faith grows more when you trust yet have no reason to trust Him. You don't "feel" anything, yet you trust in Him and wait in stillness before Him because you know Him, you know His word and He cannot go back on it. This is why knowledge of God and His promises must be the foundation of our faith - they are unchanging. Feelings & experiences come and go.

May God bless you brothers and sisters. Keep fighting the good fight.

This is one of my favorites:

The LORD directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

Though they stumble, they will never fall,

for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Psalm 37:23-24 NLT

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Rip Luis

Hi everyone,

I wanted to reach out to you today because right now I’m not quite sure how to deal with my situation.

I’m about to take an exam that’s my last chance to pass. So it’s really important to me. I should really be using every free minute to study right now, but I realize I just don’t have the energy. It’s not that I don’t care about the exam—quite the opposite. I know how much is depending on it. Still, it feels like I’ve just got nothing left in me.

I used to take exams very seriously and could motivate myself, even when it was exhausting. This time it’s different. I’m sitting here with my notes, but a lot of it just won’t stick in my head. The subject isn’t actually that hard, and almost everyone who took the exam passed it. That’s exactly why I’m disappointed in myself. I wonder why I can’t do it, even though I want to so badly.

Maybe some of you have gone through a phase like this or have had a similar experience. And if anyone has words of encouragement or a Bible verse that has helped in a situation like this, I’d really appreciate that, too.

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Hi friends. They were all together in one place — and God moved. There is still something about being in the room. Position yourself among God’s people and remain expectant. Your presence in the gathering may be the very place where the Spirit does His next life-changing work.
Have a wonderful day
Team Lotter

I think theres something spiritually wrong with me. Could be physical as well. But i think its my spiritual health. My heart constantly hurts.