Deb---

chosenone gave you some wonderful advice about the marriage aspect, and I would agree.  You should wait and really let God work things out in your life first before getting married right away.  Talk to your Pastor or to a counselor at your church.  I think that is really good advice.

I would like to say I am very sorry you went through so many horrendous things in your life.  But God can forgive ALL, and restore all.  Just this morning, I read Matthew 8:

"When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I will do it. Be made clean." His leprosy was cleansed immediately." (Matt 8:1-3)

Lepers were considered "unclean" and outcasts in the Old Testament---they couldn't go into the Temple due to their uncleaness.  And yet Jesus immediately says "Yes---I want to heal you".  Lepers are a type of those who cannot approach God because they are so sinful and unclean. Yet Jesus can meet the worst of sinners and make them completely whole again!  And He can completely restore your life Deb!!

Remember though, our enemy loves to tempt us into the wrong decisions, and then afterwards accuse us for having done so.  You can bet he is screaming in your ear: "Who do you think you are!!!??  You think YOU can be made whole!!?  Do you really think Jesus is going to help someone like YOU?!!? You've gone too far---you've crossed the line for sure!!  There's no hope for someone like you!!"

That's his standard procedure.  And you need to hold onto verses like 1 John 1:9 and remember that God is true and means what he says.  He HAS forgiven your past---don't let the enemy steal that from you!!  Despite your past, God takes all of your sins and casts them to the bottom of the sea and "remembers them no more".

God bless you Deb!!  

deb1969, fear is from the devil, as long as you have fear of something , he has you in bondage. Have FAITH in God, and give all things to Him, when fear comes, say " this is not from God, I have no fear, for God is my strength and my buckle and in Him their is no condemnation". Let the devil know that you are not afraid then he will eventually leave you alone, when he knows he has no hold on you. Doesnt mean he wont try though.

In His Love

It appears you have entered marriage unconcerned about the biblical admonition that marriage is for life. You have married three times and divorced three times. Now you want to try a 4th time. The question requiring serious reflection on your part is why you (who claim to be a Christian ) would want to marry unconverted men in direct contradiction to 1 Cor. 7:39 and 2 Cor. 6:14-16 -- passages of Scripture that clearly show God neither desires nor encourages unions between believers and unbelievers.

You state you accepted Jesus Christ out of fear of going to hell rather than out of conviction of sin for having offended God Almighty. Salvation occurs because we are drawn by His love to accept His Son, Jesus Christ in the knowledge that we can be forgiven of our sins and have the power of sin broken in our lives as the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us.

It would appear from your narrative that you are not indwelt by the Spirit of God because you have plainly not been led by God in the selection of your partners. Your lifestyle suggests someone who has been under the dominion of the flesh rather than the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is recommended that you concentrate more on getting right with God in a relationship of trust and obedience to His commandments before you even think about walking down the aisle again. All the best...

canuck