For example: any Mario fan game. Some could make the argument is supporting stealing and is therefore sinful, Some could also make the argument that because It might go against the law that makes it sinful.

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Many of us are guilty for seeking signs instead of a relationship with God. If we're not seeking a relationship with God but claim to be followers of Him, we are basically admitting that we're ashamed of the Gospel and testimony of Jesus Christ. In our hearts, we still condemn him and in our communications & actions, we prove it.

• Matthew 12:39:

But he replied to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah,

We learn through the story of Jonah that the call to repentance is vital. Jonah was caught up in the belly of the whale for a time, symbolizing; a period of trial, surrender and death to self. 

We are reminded of the death and resurrection of Jesus, he was put to death and buried for our transgression and then risen three days and nights later. He rose from the grave for our benefit so we might share an inheretance with him forever in eternity.

[Transgression: A willful crossing of a divine or moral boundary, often used synonymously with sin or rebellion against spiritual law.] 

We must be careful in the signs we seek!

• 2nd Corinthians 5:7

For we live by faith, not by sight.

• Colossians 3:2, 2nd Corinthians 4:18, 1st John 2:15, Romans 12:2;

We should always focus on the eternal goal of our faith instead of allowing a material world to guide and lead us on some strange path we claim to be a “spiritual journey”. The patterns of life can easily lead us further away from God and we should never become comfortable following the traditions of men.

Job: After confronting God's majesty, Job declares, "I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6), expressing a deep sense of smallness and unworthiness.

Isaiah: Upon seeing a vision of the Lord, the prophet cries out, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5).

Ezekiel: The prophet describes people looking back at their moral corruption and "loathing yourselves for the evils that you have committed" (Ezekiel 20:43).

What is God's will for us?

God wants believers to grow in purity, character and love. He wants us to enjoy the life that he gave us and to continually give him thanks in all things we face in life. 

• 1st Peter 2:15-17

For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God’s servants. Honor everyone. Keep on loving the community of believers, fearing God, and honoring the king.

• Romans 12:1-2:

I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

Remember that God's plans overrule ours and he is above all!

• Job 42:2;

Job makes this confession to God at the end of his trials, acknowledging divine sovereignty.

• Isaiah 14:27;

 A declaration that God's judgment and decrees against nations will happen as planned.

• Psalm 33:11;

A song praising God's power over history and creation.

• Proverbs 19:21;

A contrast between human-made schemes and God's unassailable will.

God's Plans?

Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope.

We're in it for the long-haul, we must be patient and seek understanding. 

• Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom, and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.

• Proverbs 2:1-6:

My son, if you accept my words, and treasure my instructions— making your ear attentive to wisdom, and turning your heart to understanding— if, indeed, you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and learn to know God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

God's promises, mercies and faithfulness endure through all circumstances.

(Prayer) 

“I encourage and challenge the Body of Christ to pray with boldness for the lost, abandoned and struggling members of the Family of God so that we honor God continuously in everything we pursue in our relationship with Him. ”

God Let Us Bless Every Soul! 

Our group meets twice a week, and for a long time most of us only really opened our Bibles once a while. A few things changed that, and I wanted to share them in case they help someone else:

1. We selected a book to study together. One book at a time, so there's something shared to talk about.
2. Everyone goes at their own pace. Some days a chapter, some days three verses. Both count. Comparing amounts was killing it for the slower readers.
3. A tiny daily check-in. Just the passage and one thing (at least) that stood out. It takes a few minutes, and seeing others' check-ins pulls you back on the days you'd skip.
4. Missing a day isn't failure. None of this earns anything. God's grace doesn't depend on our reading record. It's just a way of staying close to His Word together. If you miss a day, you come back tomorrow.

Full disclosure: I ended up building a mobile app around this that our group and other groups now use, called Eagrly, so I'm biased. But all of this works in a WhatsApp group or a notebook too. The important part is reading together, not the tool.

How does your group keep going between meetings?

Disclaimer: Just sharing. I know it’ll probably come, I won’t engage, but please don’t comment if you’re offended by what I’m sharing or it just isn’t for you. I’m not posting this for advice or ‘this is what the Bible says’. I’m posting to connect with others who might be where I’m at in life and for those who compassionately understand. Everyone is at different places in life so let’s respect that and listen and learn and treat each other with kindness.

Wanted to put this out there to connect with others who understand (or maybe you were here but life has changed for the better for you). I’ll be the first tell you I’m not at my most optimal self atm (as mentioned in the title). I’m working daily to be more like Christ and community/church-oriented.

Most people that I know are living life pretty much alone right now. I know that’s not everyone and some people are older or younger (I’m in my 40s), have big families or small close-knit families, involved in their church and have very socially active lives. I’m not speaking directly to you, though I welcome everyone who wants to comment as long as it’s building up, constructive and in love. I was most of those things at certain times of my life but life is alone for the most part now.

To share, I have and will always love people. I do feel like ‘evil is winning’ right now in the world. People, Christian or not, are following the trends and ways of the world. I’m exhausted with people—so I admit I avoid them (I love being around animals and nature though). I know this is not the best. But it does work to protect my health (mentally emotionally physically spiritually). “Love God love people” “He who hates his brother” I know these verses well and they’re constantly on my mind. I don’t hate people (although it can be a fight not to start teetering there with the evil and corruption people do), I just prefer the company of God, my own company, people I know, cats and dogs, seagulls at the beach lol, yup had a little buddy that was chilling with me the whole time I was there recently.

I’d love to be a part of a church and community. That’s where my heart lies. Like I said I love people - I’m just at an interesting juncture where it may not look that way on the outside. But I see a lot of good done by people too (most people are just hurting), and I think to myself ‘how could you die for us Lord…but you know way better than me so I do as you say’. But I can’t deny the obvious which is life is very much alone right now.

I’m happy, I’m working towards goals, I have a plan. But I’m also overwhelmed, can get overworked, wish I had someone or some people to share life with (I do but not much in person).

If anyone relates feel free to comment and dm me. I’d like to connect and have good convos and prayers.

Hi everyone, I’m 31 and I’ve never really believed in God, but lately I’ve found myself becoming more curious about Jesus and Christianity.
I’ve struggled with my mental health for a long time and I suppose I’m at a point in my life where I’m just longing for some peace and happiness.
I’ve been reading stories about people finding Jesus and feeling his presence, and I’d genuinely love to know what that was like for you. Did something happen that made you believe? Did you pray and feel something, or was it more gradual?
I’ve never felt God’s presence or experienced anything spiritual myself, but for the first time in my life I’m actually open to it. Part of me would love to believe there’s something more out there, but I don’t really know where to begin.
I’d love to hear your stories, especially from anyone who didn’t believe before. ❤️